NFL Player News

Flacco is in line to start Sunday's game against the Giants after the Colts downgraded downgraded Anthony Richardson (back/foot) to out.

Richardson had been listed as questionable for the contest, but after failing to practice in any fashion this week, the Colts ultimately weren't comfortable with having him direct the offense Sunday. Flacco will thus step in for his fifth start of the season in Week 17, making him a lineup option in fantasy leagues that start two quarterbacks or have a QB flex spot available. Over his six appearances (four starts) to date, Flacco has completed 113 of 170 pass attempts (66.5 percent) for 1,167 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 25 yards on eight carries.

Maye (head) has returned to Saturday's game against the Chargers.

Maye, who was forced out the contest due to a head injury and had been replaced by Jacoby Brissett, was subsequently cleared to return to action and is now back in at QB for the Patriots versus Los Angeles.

Richardson (back/foot) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Giants.

After failing to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday, Richardson had taken a questionable tag into the weekend, but the Colts ultimately weren't confident enough in his ability to play through the pair of injuries. Joe Flacco will draw the Week 17 start in place of Richardson, whose injuries aren't viewed as serious enough to prevent him from playing in the Colts' regular-season finale versus the Jaguars next weekend, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.com.

Tagovailoa (hip) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Browns, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa, who was listed as a limited participant on the Dolphins' practice reports this week, had been listed as questionable, but the downgrade in his status suggests he's on track to being sidelined for the first time since missing four games from Week 3 through 7 with a concussion. Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, if Tagovailoa is inactive versus Cleveland, Tyler Huntley would be in line to start at quarterback, with Skylar Thompson serving as the backup. The presence of Huntley under center rather than Tagovailoa would represent a downgrade to the fantasy projections of all of Miami's pass catchers.

Maye was forced out of Saturday's game against the Chargers with a head injury.

Prior to his first-quarter exit from the contest, Maye completed his only pass attempt for one yard. In his absence, Jacoby Brissett is next up at quarterback for the Patriots.

Watson (Achilles) and the Browns agreed to a restructured contract Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

The restructured contract doesn't alter Watson's pay or salary structure, but it spreads out the financial impact of the deal by adding two void years. The quarterback still is under contract, will be paid the next two seasons and then become a free agent in 2027. The restructure does not necessarily mean Watson will be the team's quarterback in 2025, and the state of his injured ankle is not the only unknown. The Browns are expected to revamp the roster, which could impact Watson's status.

Rattler will start Sunday's game against the Raiders, as Derek Carr (hand) has been ruled out.

Rattler will make the fifth start of his career and second in a row. The rookie fifth-round draft pick has looked overwhelmed at the NFL level, throwing just one touchdown pass against three interceptions as a starter and most recently getting shut out by the Packers on Monday, though Rattler also tossed a touchdown pass in relief in Week 15. A potential silver lining for Rattler could be the possible return of top wide receiver Chris Olave (head), who is listed as questionable and has a chance to come off IR prior to Sunday's game after practicing without limitations all week.

Tagovailoa (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland.

A limited practice participant throughout the week, Tagovailoa seems more likely than not to play, especially because Miami remains in the hunt for a wild-card spot. Still, fantasy managers should at least consider the possibility Tagovailoa lands on the inactive list ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, in which case Tyler Huntley would step in as Miami's starting quarterback. Starting wideouts Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) also are listed as questionable, although Hill is in the same boat as Tagovailoa (i.e., it'll be a surprise if he doesn't play). Waddle is the one who appears truly questionable/uncertain, having missed the team's Week 16 win over San Francisco.

Pickett will be the Eagles' starting quarterback Sunday against the Cowboys with Jalen Hurts (concussion) ruled out for that contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This comes as no surprise as Hurts hasn't been able to practice since sustaining a concussion in the first quarter this past Sunday in Washington. Pickett stepped in for Hurts thereafter, completing 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception, notching three carries for 13 yards and fumbling once (Philadelphia recovered). On Sunday, Pickett will be taking on a Dallas defense that has given up the third-most combined TDs (23 passing, eight rushing) to opposing quarterbacks in 15 games this season.

Carr (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Carr still hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion and a left hand fracture Week 14 at the Giants. He seemingly cleared concussion protocol last week and reportedly doesn't want to be shut down for the season, but it won't come as any surprise if he also ends up missing Week 18. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will start this Sunday against the Raiders.