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  • Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Looks like game-time decision

    O'Connell (knee) will use a pregame workout Monday to determine whether he'll play versus the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

    O'Connell didn't practice at all during the week due to a knee issue he picked up Week 14 at Tampa Bay, so Las Vegas is preparing as though 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback Week 15. Whoever steps under center for the Raiders on Monday will be looking at an Atlanta defense that's been less than impressive so far this season, especially against the pass.

  • Will Levis QB | TEN

    Titans' Will Levis: Quarterback position under review

    Titans head coach Brian Callahan said the team will spend the next two days evaluating whether Levis, who was benched in Week 15, or Mason Rudolph will start Sunday's road matchup against the Colts, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

    Levis was benched during Tennessee's 37-27 loss to the Bengals in Week 15 after accounting for four turnovers (three interceptions and one lost fumble). He otherwise completed eight of 12 passes for 89 yards and zero touchdowns. Rudolph looked more competent, if unremarkable, in relief of Levis, completing 21 of 26 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing twice for 14 yards. In order to properly divvy up first-team reps, the Titans may make an official decision at the quarterback position for Week 16 prior to Wednesday's practice.

  • Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes: Dealing with mild high-ankle sprain

    Mahomes (ankle) has been diagnosed Monday with a "mild" right high-ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

    Mahomes was forced out of Sunday's 21-7 win over the Browns in the fourth quarter, leaving backup Carson Wentz to close out the contest. With the Chiefs facing a short turnaround for a Week 16 matchup against the Texans on Saturday followed by a road matchup against Pittsburgh on Christmas Day in Week 17, Mahomes' availability for the next two contests would seem to be murky, at best. Currently sitting at 13-1, Kansas City has a two-game lead on Buffalo (11-3) for the top seed in the AFC, and the Chiefs have already clinched a playoff spot. The team thus may prefer to take a cautious approach to Mahomes' health in order to prioritize his effectiveness for the postseason, making it appear likely that Wentz starts Saturday versus Houston. For Weeks 17 and 18 (at Denver), though, playoff standing could factor into decisions made on Mahomes' availability.

  • Raiders' Desmond Ridder: On track to start Monday

    Ridder is expected to start Monday's contest against the Falcons with Aidan O'Connell (knee) seemingly a game-time decision, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

    Ridder has been Las Vegas' expected starter approaching Week 16 action, but O'Connell (knee), who officially is listed as questionable, will have a chance to log a pregame workout to determine his availability. Official word on O'Connell's status will arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Monday's 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff, but fantasy managers should brace for the eventually of it being Ridder who commands the Raiders offense, which will be led by top wideout Jakobi Meyers, rookie phenom Brock Bowers and backfield riser Sincere McCormick.

  • Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes: Non-committal on Week 16 status

    Mahomes (ankle) admitted after Sunday's 21-7 win over the Browns that he's uncertain if he'll be able to play in Kansas City's Week 16 game Saturday versus the Texans, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports. "It's hard to say right now,'' Mahomes said, when asked about his status for Week 16. "You still [have the] adrenaline rolling and usually it's kind of the day after when you kind of get a good sense of it...You just do what you have to do to get back, and I think that's the most important thing. And now we just get back to the rehab part, the treatment part, and try to get ourselves ready on a short week against a good football team."

    Mahomes left Sunday's game midway through the fourth quarter after taking a hit to his right ankle while throwing an incomplete fourth-down pass. With the defending Super Bowl champions holding a 14-point lead by the time they regained possession with 5:23 left in the quarter, head coach Andy Reid opted to go with Carson Wentz at quarterback for the rest of the game. Reid said after the contest that Mahomes' ankle wasn't broken, but Kansas City fears that the signal-caller may have suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Mahomes is scheduled to undergo further testing Monday, but if a high-ankle sprain is confirmed, he'll likely be viewed as week-to-week and would face an uphill battle to get cleared for the matchup with the Texans. With three games left in the regular season and a two-game lead on the 11-3 Bills for the top seed in the AFC, Kansas City could take a cautious approach with Mahomes to ensure he's in optimal health for the postseason.

  • Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Enters for benched starter

    Thompson-Robinson completed four of nine passes for 18 yards, rushed three times for 16 yards and threw an interception in Sunday's 21-7 loss to Kansas City.

    Thompson-Robinson relieved Jameis Winston, who threw multiple interceptions for a third consecutive week while leading an offense that gained just 228 yards over 12 drives. However, Thompson-Robinson didn't do any better in his two series. It was the second-year pro out of UCLA's most significant action since Week 7, when he entered for an injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles) and threw two interceptions. In two NFL seasons, Thompson-Robinson has thrown seven interceptions in 75 drop-backs. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski has not indicated if there will be a shift at quarterback in Week 16, but it makes sense the club would give DTR a longer look as it plays out the final three weeks, as he has a better chance of being part of the 2025 roster than pending free agent Winston does.

  • Mason Rudolph QB | PIT

    Titans' Mason Rudolph: Replaces Levis in Week 15 loss

    Rudolph completed 21 of 26 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Bengals. He added two rushes for 14 yards.

    Rudolph took over under center after Will Levis was benched early in the third quarter. He was more effective than Levis, though his two touchdown passes came in garbage with the latter coming on the final play of the game. Levis has been the starter for Tennessee when healthy, though Rudolph may get his chance to lead the team to close out the campaign.

  • Sam Howell QB | PHI

    Seahawks' Sam Howell: Struggles in relief Sunday

    Howell took over for Geno Smith (knee) in the second half of Sunday's 30-13 loss to Green Bay, completing just five of 14 pass attempts for 24 yards and an interception. He added one carry for two yards.

    Howell did not fare well in his first extended look since joining the Seahawks this past offseason. The former Commander took over for an injured Smith early in the second half and finished with an abysmal 14.6 passer rating on 14 attempts. Smith's knee injury didn't appear to be season-ending, but the team will run tests on the veteran starter Monday. In the event Howell is asked to start in Week 16, he would make for a poor fantasy choice in almost any format given his track record for inaccuracy combined with a tough opponent (the Vikings).

  • Will Levis QB | TEN

    Titans' Will Levis: Benched after four turnovers

    Levis completed eight of 12 passes for 89 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions in Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Bengals. He also lost a fumble.

    Levis had shown an improved ability to take care of the ball since returning from a shoulder injury in Week 10, having thrown only two picks and losing one fumble in five games. Things unraveled for him quickly in Sunday's loss, however, as he lost a fumble to begin the second quarter and then threw an interception on back-to-back possessions. After throwing a pick-six on Tennessee's second drive of the second half, he was ultimately benched in favor of Mason Rudolph. Levis' status is uncertain for the rest of the season after his most recent benching.

  • Geno Smith QB | LV

    Seahawks' Geno Smith: Set for tests on knee Monday

    Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said after Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Packers that Smith will undergo additional testing on his right knee injury Monday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports. Smith completed 15 of 19 pass attempts for 149 yards and an interception while adding five yards on one carry before exiting the game.

    Smith didn't return after suffering the injury in the third quarter, as Sam Howell played out the remainder of the game. Macdonald added that Smith's knee looks fine structurally, but the results of additional tests will determine whether Smith will need to miss additional time. Seattle's next game falls on Sunday in Week 16 against the Vikings.

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