NFL Player News
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Hendon Hooker QB | NYJ
Hendon Hooker: Back with practice squad
Hooker reverted to the Jets' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Hooker was elevated to serve as the team's backup quarterback behind Brady Cook in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Patriots, ultimately not appearing in the contest. If Tyrod Taylor (knee/personal) remains sidelined in Week 18, Hooker would likely be elevated again for the team's final regular-season contest in Buffalo.
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Clayton Tune QB | GB
Clayton Tune: Returns to practice squad
Tune reverted to the Packers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Tune was elevated to serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Malik Willis (shoulder) in Saturday's 41-24 loss to the Ravens with Jordan Love (concussion) unavailable. Tune completed one of four passes for eight yards while throwing an interception, logging eight snaps on offense. The interception came in the fourth quarter when Tune was thrust into the game with Willis briefly sidelined following an aggravation of his previous shoulder issue. With the Packers locked in as the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, it's possible that Love sits in Week 18 and Tune serves as the primary backup behind Willis against the Vikings.
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Bailey Zappe QB | CLE
Bailey Zappe: Reverts to practice squad
Zappe reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Zappe stepped into the Browns' backup quarterback role behind Shedeur Sanders during Sunday's win over the Steelers due to the absence of Dillon Gabriel (shoulder). Zappe could reprise the QB2 role against the Bengals in Week 18 if Gabriel is not cleared to play.
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Stetson Bennett QB | LAR
Rams' Stetson Bennett: Emergency QB for MNF
Bennett (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Rams' emergency third quarterback against the Falcons on Monday, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
As he's done all season, Bennett will be the Rams' emergency QB3 on Monday, which means he's prohibited from playing unless both Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo were to leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.
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Kurtis Rourke QB | SF
49ers' Kurtis Rourke: Officially out for 2025
Rourke (knee) will remain on the 49ers' reserve/non-football injury list for the rest of the 2025 season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Rourke opened the 2025 regular season on the NFI list while recovering from a torn ACL that he sustained during his final collegiate season at Indiana. He was designated to return from the NFI in early December, but with his 21-day practice window closing, the rookie seventh-rounder will not be available for the rest of the 2025 campaign. Rourke will turn his attention toward being available for the start of the 2026 season, when he'll likely compete for the backup quarterback job behind Brock Purdy.
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Trey Lance QB | LAC
Chargers' Trey Lance: Getting Week 18 starting nod
Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Lance will start next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Harbaugh said Justin Herbert and other important Chargers starters will rest Week 18. Herbert isn't even on track to suit up, per Rhim, so DJ Uiagalelei is expected to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the QB2 behind Lance. Lance has appeared in three games this season, completing seven of 13 passes for 90 scoreless yards. Facing Denver's No. 1 defense with a skeleton crew around him, Lance will not be a recommended fantasy target.
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Justin Herbert QB | LAC
Chargers' Justin Herbert: Will rest Week 18
Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Herbert and other Los Angeles starters will rest for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
After losing to the Texans on Saturday, the Chargers still can be anywhere from the No. 5 to 7 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, but it appears the team will prioritize the health of Herbert and other key players this coming weekend, as Harbaugh told Kris Rhim of ESPN.com that those with "the most bruises" and need "the most healing" won't play. Herbert will get two weeks to rest up after absorbing a career-high 54 sacks during the regular season. Trey Lance figures to get the nod under center for Week 18.
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Marcus Mariota QB | WAS
Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Looking unlikely for Week 18
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Mariota (hand/quadriceps) is "a stretch" to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Eagles but has not been ruled out yet, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Mariota has not resumed practicing since suffering a pair of injuries during Washington's loss to the Eagles in Week 16, which paved the way for Josh Johnson to start versus the Cowboys in Week 17. Per Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said Mariota is not yet moving at full speed, and Zach Selby of the team's official site confirms that the veteran quarterback wasn't able to make it through Monday's walkthrough. If Mariota doesn't play Week 18, Johnson will close out the 2025 campaign under center for the Commanders.
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Dak Prescott QB | DAL
Cowboys' Dak Prescott: Starters to play in finale
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Prescott will play in the team's regular-season finale on the road against the Giants on Sunday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Dallas currently sits at a 7-8-1 record and would finish the 2025 campaign at .500 with a win over New York in Week 18, giving Prescott something to play for even with the team already eliminated from playoff contention. The 32-year-old signal-caller has operated as one of the NFL's most efficient quarterbacks down the stretch, as he's averaging over 300 passing yards per game across seven appearances since the Cowboys' bye in Week 10, with 13 passing touchdowns and just four interceptions in that span.
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Lamar Jackson QB | BAL
Ravens' Lamar Jackson: Week 18 status TBD
Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Jackson's (back) status for next Sunday's game against the Steelers is to be determined, but the Ravens should have a better idea Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Jackson didn't practice at all last week, but Harbaugh did say the quarterback felt a lot better at the end of the week than he did immediately following the Week 16 defeat to the Patriots. Jackson is dealing with a lower-back contusion. Tyler Huntley started in Jackson's place Saturday against the Packers and was efficient handing the ball off to Derrick Henry. Huntley also completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown, adding 60 rushing yards of his own on eight attempts.