NFL Player News

Coming off his best performance in months, Jets quarterback Geno Smith is looking to finish his rookie season off well in Week 17 against the Dolphins.

Smith's performance last Sunday against the Browns, in which he passed for 214 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, stands in stark contrast to his performance the last time he faced the Dolphins. Smith completed just 4 of 10 passes and was benched in a 23-3 loss to the Dolphins in Week 13.

The Dolphins allow opposing quarterbacks to pass for 253.6 yards per game, but are holding them to just 15.4 Fantasy points per game, the sixth-lowest mark in the league. Smith is not a recommended start for the final game of the season against such a tough matchup. 

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will be seeking a bounce-back performance during his regular season finale at home against the Rams in Week 17.

Wilson completed 11 of 27 passes for a season-low 108 yards, with one touchdown and one interception in Week 16 against Arizona. Although the Seahawks have already clinched a playoff spot, Wilson still has something to play for, as his team is fighting for home-field advantage and an NFC West division title.

In his previous meeting against the Rams, Wilson threw for two touchdowns and no picks but was held to only 139 passing yards. He has been held under 150 yards passing four times this season. Opposing quarterbacks have scored only 16.27 Fantasy points per game this season. Consider Wilson a low-end starting option for the final week of the regular season.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will make his long-anticipated return from a broken collarbone against the Bears in a win-or-go home Week 17 contest.

Rodgers suffered his injury during his first meeting against Chicago at Lambeau Field in Week 9. He hit 1 of 2 passes for 27 yards before he was slammed to the turf by Bears defensive end Shea McClellin on a 3rd-down sack in the opening quarter of that game. He had only missed one career game before suffering a broken collarbone.

Rodgers was averaging 277.3 yards per game with a total of 15 touchdowns and four interceptions through eight games. The Bears have allowed 227.8 passing yards per game this season, which should work out in favor of Rodgers. Opposing quarterbacks have scored 17.07 Fantasy points per game this season.

All of out Fantasy experts have Rodgers ranked in the Top 5 for the final week of the regular season. You didn't keep him on your bench this long not to start him in his first game back. Consider him a must-start Fantasy option for Week 17.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum said he felt fine in practice Thursday and believes he will play Sunday at Tennessee. Keenum, who has been dealing with a right thumb injury, received the first-team reps and appears all but set to start against the Titans.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will start Week 17 against the Bears.

Rodgers has missed seven games due to a broken collarbone, but has been practicing in recent weeks. Head coach Mike McCarthy named Rodgers as the team's starter during Thursday's press conference. Rodgers was a full participant in practice Thursday. McCarthy said he knew Rodgers would start Tuesday, but waited until Thursday to make the announcement. The team that wins the game will head to the playoffs. 

Rex Ryan said Thursday that Jets quarterback Geno Smith has "come a million miles" this year in terms of his performance, per the New York Post.

Smith certainly improved dramatically in Week 16 against Cleveland. He completed 20 of 36 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and, for the first time since Nov. 3, zero interceptions. His 91.7 quarterback rating was his best since Week 5.

Wade Phillips said he's concerned with Texans quarterback Case Keenum (thumb) being able to grip and throw the ball Sunday at Tennessee, per the Houston Chronicle. He has not played the last two games, but will start if healthy.

Phillips must decide between Matt Schaub or T.J. Yates as his starter for the game against the Titans if Keenum can't play.

Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins is playing for his future, according to the New York Post.

"I would love to catch the eye of a team, of a coach, of a general manager who says, ‘We need to acquire that guy to be a starter,'" said Cousins. He added that his job was to help Washington win now. After Robert Griffin III was shut down for the season, the team has turned to Cousins for the last two games. Over that period, he's thrown four touchdowns to three interceptions. Cousins will take on the Giants Week 17. He may draw some interest on the trade market during the offseason if he performs well. RG3 is expected to be the long-term starter in Washington moving forward.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers would have practiced on a limited basis had Green Bay practiced Wednesday. When the team resumes practice Thursday, it will announce whether Rodgers has been medically cleared to play Sunday at Chicago.

Rodgers has not played since breaking his collarbone Nov. 4. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on his radio show that the decision on whether he'll be cleared to start Week 17 will be announced Thursday, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Rodgers has been out since breaking his collarbone Nov. 4.

"We had a scan and we're going through the process," he said. "Thursday there will be a conclusion this week to the unknown."

The Packers visit Chicago on Sunday with the NFC North at stake. Matt Flynn will start if Rodgers isn't cleared. Rodgers said he felt great at practice last week and wouldn't be hesitant at all if he got the nod.

"I'm not thinking about my injury," he said. "It comes down to, 'Is the bone healed or is there a risk too large in going out there?'"