NFL Player News

Hurts (concussion/left finger) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Hurts hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion early on this past Sunday at Washington. Speaking of his quarterback earlier Friday, coach Nick Siranni told Tim McManus of ESPN.com that it's "going to be tough for him to make it this week" because Hurts still is in the protocol for head injuries. With his lack of availability now confirmed for Week 17, Hurts will hand off QB duties to backup Kenny Pickett (ribs) on Sunday. Stepping in for Hurts in Week 16, Pickett completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception and recorded three carries for 13 yards. As for Hurts, until he gets back on the practice field, his prospects for game action will be slim.

Flacco could be tasked with starting against the Giants on Sunday, as Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports reports that Anthony Richardson (back/foot) is questionable.

Richardson didn't practice in any capacity throughout the week, so the second-year quarterback is in danger of sitting out, with clarity on that front set to arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff. Flacco has posted a 9:5 TD:INT across six appearances (four starts) in 2024. The 7-8 Colts need to defeat the 2-13 Giants to have any chance at making the playoffs.

Lock (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Colts, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Lock thus will make another start, despite throwing two pick-sixes in a blowout loss at Atlanta last Sunday. It's unclear if he'll have the help of WR Malik Nabers, who is listed as questionable with a toe injury and told reporters he'll be a game-day decision.

Thompson-Robinson (calf) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Dolphins, and head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that Thompson-Robinson will start, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Thompson-Robinson will make a second consecutive start after throwing for 157 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Cleveland's 24-6 Week 16 loss to the Bengals. That performance dropped his career TD:INT to 1:9, though at least Thompson-Robinson also contributed 49 rushing yards on nine carries against Cincinnati. Backup Jameis Winston is listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury.

Winston (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Winston has been dealing with a shoulder issue for a couple of weeks, and it's unclear if he'll get the green light to serve as Dorian Thompson-Robinson's backup in Week 17. If Winston is unable to gain clearance, Bailey Zappe will be Cleveland's QB2.

Richardson (back/foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports reports.

Richardson didn't practice in any capacity throughout the week, but head coach Shane Steichen isn't ready to rule out the starting quarterback for a game the 7-8 Colts have to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Steichen said Richardson's back is bothering the quarterback more than his foot and that the next 48 hours will be pivotal in determining Richardson's availability. If Richardson's ruled out prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff, Joe Flacco would make his fifth start of the season.

Richardson (back/foot) didn't appear to be participating in Friday's practice, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com and Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis.

Richardson was listed as a non-participant on practice reports Wednesday and Thursday and could be headed for another DNP on Friday. If Richardson is unavailable for Sunday's game against the Giants, veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco would be in line to start in his place.

Head coach Nick Sirianni noted Friday that Hurts remains in concussion protocol and acknowledged "it's going to be tough for (the QB) to make it this week," Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Hurts, who is also dealing with a left finger injury, was listed as a non-participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday, and at this stage he's trending toward not being available Sunday against the Cowboys. If that ends up being the case, Kenny Pickett (ribs) -- who practiced fully Thursday -- would be in line to start at QB for the Eagles in place of Hurts.

Mills completed his lone attempt for five yards in Wednesday's 31-2 loss to the Ravens in Week 17.

Starting quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled without two of the team's top receivers, Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee). Add in a struggling ground game -- Joe Mixon was held to under 30 yards for the third time in the last five games -- and the Texans were clearly the inferior team Christmas Day. Mills entered for the final series to essentially run out the clock. Houston already clinched a spot in the postseason, so there is a possibility Mills leads the team in the final game of the regular season, but head coach DeMeco Ryans struck a different tone following the loss. "I think you come back fired up and showing that's not who we are," Ryans told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. "At the end of the day that's not who we are." The Texans finish up the regular season at Tennessee, which embarrassed Houston at home in Week 12.

Williams completed 16 of 28 passes for 122 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and rushed five times for 37 yards in the Bears' 6-3 loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered and pounced on a second loose ball.

Four days after throwing for 334 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions, Williams, along with the entire Bears offense, regressed significantly. The rookie first overall pick's yardage total was the second lowest of his young career, and until Chicago's final possession, Williams had only been able to lead the Bears on one drive of longer than 16 yards, although he did have a 17-yard second-quarter touchdown pass to Rome Odunze nullified by penalty. That final march, which spanned 13 plays and 49 yards, also ended with a Williams interception (his first pick since Week 6) on fourth down following three consecutive incompletions. The loss was the Bears' 10th consecutive, leaving a Week 18 road matchup against the Packers as their only remaining chance to taste victory again in the 2024 regular season.