NFL Player News
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Caleb Williams QB | CHI
Bears' Caleb Williams: Mild output Monday
Williams completed 18 of 31 pass attempts for 191 yards and a touchdown while rushing four times for three yards with a lost fumble in Monday's 30-12 loss to the Vikings.
Williams kept his touchdown streak alive at four games, but it came in a futile effort against a division foe. The rookie signal-caller also coughed up his second fumble in as many games, bringing him up to four fumbles lost and five interceptions through 14 games. It's been a rocky road for Williams in his first season with Chicago, and he will have to take on a hungry Lions squad Sunday that was just shown up at home by the Bills in Week 15. There may be more reliable fantasy options for managers whose playoff hopes are still alive.
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Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Vikings' Sam Darnold: Solid numbers in easy win
Darnold completed 24 of 40 passes for 231 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Vikings' 30-12 win over the Bears on Monday night.
The Vikings had the luxury of running a balanced attack against the hapless Bears, so Darnold didn't have to do anywhere near as much as he had against the Falcons in Week 14. However, the veteran quarterback still put together a solid effort that saw him connect with seven different targets overall, including starting wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison seven times apiece. Darnold's one scoring toss went to Jefferson as well from seven yards out with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter, extending his streak with at least one touchdown pass to five games. Darnold now will turn his sights to what could be a tough Week 16 road date with the Seahawks on a short week.
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Jaren Hall QB | SEA
Jaren Hall: Reverts to practice squad
Hall reverted to the Seahawks' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Hall was inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers, but he was available as the Seahawks' emergency third quarterback behind Geno Smith (knee) and Sam Howell. Smith suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter, and if he's unable to play in Week 16 against the Vikings, Hall could be the Seahawks' backup quarterback behind Howell.
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Mike White QB | CAR
Mike White: Returns to practice squad
White reverted to the Bills' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
White operated as the Bills' emergency quarterback in Sunday's 48-42 win over the Lions, ultimately failing to enter the contest. The team has now used up all three of his elevations and White would have to officially be signed to the active roster in order to suit up again this season.
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Desmond Ridder QB | GB
Raiders' Desmond Ridder: Getting spot start Monday
With Aidan O'Connell (knee) inactive, Ridder is slated to start Monday night's game against the Falcons, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
O'Connell suffered a bone bruise to his left knee late in the third quarter of the Raiders' 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 14 and was replaced by Ridder, who went on to complete 12 of his 18 passes for 101 yards to close out the contest. With O'Connell, who officially was listed as questionable after missing three straight practices, sidelined Monday, Ridder will draw his first start for the Raiders against the team that took him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In that context, in the last game on the NFL's Week 15 slate, Ridder is an option for managers who would normally utilize O'Connell in their fantasy lineups or who have an opening in Super Flex formats.
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Aidan O'Connell QB | LV
Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Inactive, but emergency third QB
O'Connell (knee) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Falcons, but he's available as the Raiders' emergency third quarterback behind Desmond Ridder and Carter Bradley.
O'Connell was deemed a non-participant in practice Thursday through Saturday and approached the contest listed as questionable, but the bone bruise to his left knee that he sustained during Week 14 action will end up sidelining the QB on Monday. In O'Connell's place, Ridder is in line to make his first start for the Raiders, while O'Connell will target a potential return to action this coming Sunday versus the Jaguars.
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Brett Rypien QB | MIN
Vikings' Brett Rypien: Emergency QB versus Chicago
Rypien (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday night's game versus Chicago but is available as the Vikings' emergency third quarterback, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Rypien will only be eligible to play should something happen to Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens. Rypien has yet to play this season.
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Geno Smith QB | LV
Seahawks' Geno Smith: Good news regarding knee injury
Coach Mike Macdonald said Monday that tests performed on Smith's right knee were positive, and the Seahawks hope to "see him practice throughout the week," Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.
Smith took a low hit from a Packers defender in the middle of the third quarter of Sunday's loss and limped to the sideline and eventually the locker room. He returned to the bench not long after, but he didn't retake the field, yielding QB duties to Sam Howell for the remainder of the contest. It seems that Smith has dodged a bullet, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to do enough to gain clearance for this coming Sunday's game against the Vikings.
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Justin Herbert QB | LAC
Chargers' Justin Herbert: Estimated as limited Monday
Herbert (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report.
Herbert has been dealing with ankle and thigh issues for the last couple weeks, and he appeared to aggravate the ankle in Sunday's loss to the Bucs, though he missed just one offensive snap. The limited start to the week would suggest Herbert has a good chance to suit up Thursday night against the Broncos. If Herbert isn't cleared to play, Taylor Heinicke would likely draw in as the starter.
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Derek Carr QB | NO
Saints' Derek Carr: Availability for Week 16 uncertain
Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Monday it's too soon to project whether Carr (hand/concussion) will have a chance of suiting up versus the Packers on Dec. 23, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Rizzi said it "wouldn't be a reach" for Carr to retake the field before the conclusion of the regular season, though it remains to be seen whether a road matchup with the Packers on Monday Night Football will be a realistic target for the veteran quarterback. Carr is nursing a fracture in his left, non-throwing hand and is simultaneously working his way through the concussion protocol. Jake Haener was benched early in Sunday's loss to the Commanders, while Spencer Rattler nearly led the team to a comeback win after entering the game.