NFL Player News

Mahomes (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Mahomes has been managing a mild high-ankle sprain since suffering the injury in a Week 15 win over the Browns, but he's proceeded to play in both of the Chiefs' last two contests while turning in two of his best performances of the season. His listed limitations for Wednesday are likely maintenance-related more than anything and won't have any bearing on his status for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Broncos, with head coach Andy Reid having indicated that Mahomes will be rested for the contest. With the Chiefs having clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, Mahomes will get some extra time to heal in Week 18 before returning to action in the divisional round of the postseason. Carson Wentz is slated to draw the start at quarterback Sunday in Denver.

Maye was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a right hand injury.

Maye left this past Saturday's 40-7 loss to the Chargers at one point to undergo a concussion evaluation, but he was cleared to re-enter the game. He's apparently emerged from the Week 17 contest with a hand injury, but the expectation is that Maye will start Sunday's season finale against the Bills, after head coach Jerod Mayo said earlier Wednesday that he's planning on having all of the Patriots' healthy starters take the field in Week 18, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Assuming Maye is able to advance to full practice participation by Friday and avoids an injury designation, he should direct the offense Sunday, though it's possible that rookie sixth-round pick Joe Milton seems some snaps under center at some point during the contest.

Richardson (back) was listed as a non-participant after Wednesday's walk-through practice, but Colts head coach Shane Steichen hopes the quarterback can play Sunday against Jacksonville, Amanda Foster of the team's official site reports.

Richardson revealed Wednesday that he was barely able to walk last Tuesday because the pain from a disc issue in his back was so bad. He said he's feeling "way better" this week and will try to play in the season finale, hoping to finish out a disappointing campaign with a strong individual performance and a Colts win. Richardson also revealed that he's dealt with back spasms since eighth grade and has issues that "might be chronic," but won't necessarily require surgery, per James Boyd of The Athletic. None of this is good news for his long-term outlook, nor for his Week 18 rushing projection if he plays.

Carr (hand) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Carr continues to tend to a fractured left hand that he suffered in a Week 14 win over the Giants, missing the last three games as a result. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Monday that the Saints will evaluate Carr as the week goes on to determine whether he has a chance to play Sunday at Tampa Bay, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. If Carr doesn't progress enough in his recovery, though, Spencer Rattler would be in line for a third straight start this weekend.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that Smith will likely start and play the full game Sunday against the Rams, as the Seahawks aren't planning to give No. 2 quarterback Sam Howell any reps, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Seattle has been eliminated from playoff contention, but Smith doesn't look like he'll be rested, even though he's not far removed from suffering a knee injury in the Seahawks' Week 15 loss to the Packers. Smith has started all 16 of the Seahawks' contests on the campaign, while Howell has played just 25 offensive snaps, all but one of which came when he stepped in for an injured Smith in Week 15. Smith ranks fifth in the NFL with 4,097 passing yards on the season, though his 17:15 TD:INT leaves much to be desired.

Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed Wednesday that Garoppolo will replace Matthew Stafford as the team's starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Seattle, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Garoppolo gets his first start of the season in a tough situation to put up good numbers, as the Rams will likely be resting multiple starters against a Seahawks defense that should have most of its top players available. The 33-year-old Garoppolo didn't appear in any of the Rams' first 16 games after signing a one-year contract with the team in March, but he most recently made seven appearances (six starts) for the Raiders in 2023, completing 110 of 169 pass attempts (65.1 percent) for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 39 yards on 20 carries.

Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed Wednesday that Stafford won't play in Sunday's game against Seattle, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Jimmy Garoppolo will make the start, with Stafford and other key players resting in preparation for a wild-card-round matchup with the Packers, Buccaneers or Falcons. Stetson Bennett is set to dress as the backup to Garoppolo, leaving Stafford as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback for Week 18.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback for the 49ers in place of Purdy (elbow) in Sunday's season finale versus the Cardinals.

On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that Purdy was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and a contusion in his right elbow. The coach's decision to appoint Dobbs to the starting role in Week 18 thus comes as little surprise, as the 49ers won't expose Purdy to further injury while the team has little at stake in its season finale. It's likely that Purdy will ultimately be ruled out ahead of Sunday, and he could be placed on injured reserve in order to open up a roster spot. With Dobbs set to start Sunday, Brandon Allen should work as San Francisco's No. 2 quarterback.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Dobbs will start Sunday's game at Arizona, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Dobbs served as the 49ers' backup quarterback over Brandon Allen in Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions, and the former saw the field late in the fourth quarter when Brock Purdy exited with an elbow injury. Dobbs proceeded to complete three of four passes for 35 yards and ran for a seven-yard touchdown on his five snaps. Purdy since has been diagnosed with a contusion and nerve inflammation in his throwing elbow, which is expected to sideline him for Week 18 action. Dobbs thus is in line for his first start of the campaign as the 49ers close out the season.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo suggested Wednesday that Maye is expected to start Sunday against the Bills, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. "Drake is our starting quarterback. If he's healthy and ready to go, as we go through this week of practice, then he'll play," Mayo said of the rookie quarterback.

The 3-13 Patriots would secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss to Buffalo, but Mayo didn't indicate that he has any intention of resting healthy starters in the season finale. While Maye thus appears likely to play versus the Bills, New England could elect to give 2024 sixth-round pick Joe Milton some playing time at some point during Sunday's contest.