NFL Player News

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?'"

Bills coach Doug Marrone said he wants to see how rookie EJ Manuel's knee responds to Tuesday's practice before deciding on a starting quarterback for Week 17 at New England, reports the Buffalo News. Marrone did say Manuel threw the ball well.

If Manuel isn't ready, Thad Lewis would make his second straight start and fifth overall.

Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor has returned to the starting job with which he began the year. Dennis Allen announced that he will replace recent starter Matt McGloin with Pryor for the season finale against Denver.

Pryor threw eight interceptions and just one touchdown in four starts from Weeks 6-10, but McGloin also struggled after a strong start. He threw for four scores and eight picks in his last five games, all losses.

Wade Phillips has yet to decide who will start at quarterback for the Texans in Week 17 at Tennessee if Case Keenum (thumb) is inactive, per the Houston Chronicle.

Phillips will choose between T.J. Yates and Matt Schaub, who completed 18 of 37 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the Sunday loss to Denver.

Mike McCarthy said Monday he will this week discuss with Packers general manager Ted Thompson the possibility of quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning for the critical game Sunday against Chicago.

Rodgers has missed the last seven games with a broken collarbone, though he returned to practice on Nov. 26.

Ravens backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor took over for Joe Flacco late in the fourth quarter and completed 1 of 4 passes for 2 yards with and one interception in Week 16 against New England.

His first snap was botched, and the Patriots recovered in the end zone. He was then picked off by Tavon Wilson, who also returned it for a score. Taylor rushed for 39 yards on three carries in a 41-7 defeat.

Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins had a big 34-yard catch to set up the team's sixth and final touchdown Week 16 against the Vikings, but he was a relatively small contributor on the day, finishing with three catches for 37 yards.

Likewise, running back Cedric Peerman had two carries for 6 yards, and quarterback Josh Johnson, who spelled starter Andy Dalton late in a blowout win, had four carries for 3 yards.