NFL Player News

Hoyer (concussion) is set to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

The Texans have not released an update on Hoyer's status for a few days, but this report indicates he will be cleared from the concussion protocol and take the practice field Wednesday, which would clear the road for him to start in Week 17. The Texans will release an official update on Hoyer's status sometime Wednesday, but it looks like the team's starting quarterback will be back in action for the regular season finale.

Dalton (thumb) is likely still a few weeks away from returning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Bengals have been evaluating Dalton on a weekly basis, but this report indicates he will not play in Week 17, and would not play in the Wild Card round if the Bengals do not secure a first-round bye. The Bengals will continue to provide updates on Dalton's status, and he has not officially been ruled out beyond this week just yet, but it's looking like A.J. Mccarron will likely see at least another start.

Interim coach Mike Mularkey noted Monday that Mariota (knee) has not yet been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts.

That said, with the Titans at 3-12 heading into Week 17, Mularkey acknowledged that he'll defer to the team's trainers and if there is any shred of doubt regarding Mariota's health, the QB won't play on Sunday.

Morris is a candidate to start Sunday's game against the Titans, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com reports.

With Andrew Luck's Week 17 status still very cloudy, Matt Hasselbeck looking doubtful and Charlie Whitehurst now on IR, Morris is currently the team's healthiest option at QB and thus a candidate to start the Colts' regular season finale.

Whitehurst (hamstring) has been placed on injured reserve, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

With Andrew Luck (kidney) and Matt Hasselbeck (shoulder) uncertain for Week 17, there's some chance Stephen Morris could get the start in a game that's unlikely to have any impact on the playoff picture. In addition to needing a win and a Texans loss, the Colts need at least six other games to go in their favor to hand them the strength-of-victory tiebreaker. Whitehurst, meanwhile, is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Dolphins head coach Dan Campbell said Tannehill (leg) should be ready for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Campbell said Tannehill is considered day-to-day, following yet another beating in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. The quarterback's practice status will still be worth keeping a close eye on, especially with the Dolphins having little incentive to risk further injury.

Whitehurst pulled a hamstring during Sunday's win over the Dolphins, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

If Andrew Luck (kidney) isn't ready to return, it isn't clear that Whitehurst or Matt Hasselbeck (shoulder) will be available. Stephen Morris is the No. 4 quarterback, and while it seems likely that at least one of the other three signal-callers will be available, the Colts have almost no chance of qualifying for the playoffs, according to ESPN.com.

Cousins could be rested in Week 17 against the Cowboys, CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

With the Redskins locked in as the No. 4 seed, head coach Jay Gruden acknowledged that it might make sense to rest some players. He said that Cousins' status could depend on the health of Washington's offensive line, which is a bit nicked up despite having all five starters available for Saturday's win over the Eagles. Even if Gruden decides to play his starters, it would be pretty surprising to see Cousins actually finish the game.

Bridgewater completed 15 of 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 49-17 win over the Giants.

As has often been the case this season, Minnesota's defense and running game put the opponent away, leaving Bridgewater with fewer than 30 pass attempts for an eight time in 15 games. He's mostly been effective with the limited volume this season, but his four-touchdown showing in Week 15 was one of the year's more unusual outliers. Bridgewater will play for the NFC North title in the regular-season finale in Green Bay, having previously thrown for 296 yards and a touchdown in a 30-13 loss to the Packers back in Week 11.

Winsto completed 15 of 29 passes for 295 yards with two touchdows and one interception in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Bears. He also gained 10 yards on four rushes and recovered a fumble.

The rookie's stat line received a 43-yard boost on the game's final play when he was able to connect with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins on a Hail Mary. Winston's performance was actually rather pedestrian outside of that sequence, with the 15 completions representing his third lowest total of the season, and the least he's amassed since Week 5. Winston's 51.7 completion percentage was also his lowest since his Week 1 NFL debut. Despite the lackluster afternoon, Winston has had a fine rookie season overall, and will reach the 4,000-yard mark with 283 yards passing in Tampa's Week 17 showdown against Carolina.