NFL Player News

Mahomes completed 28 of 41 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown in Saturday's 27-19 win over the Texans. He also rushed five times for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Mahomes quickly demonstrated that the ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 15 win over the Browns isn't inhibiting his ability to run, as he scrambled for a 12-yard gain on Kansas City's eighth offensive play and added a 15-yard rushing touchdown three plays later. The star quarterback tacked on an eight-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Worthy in the third quarter as Kansas City improved to 14-1. The Chiefs need one win over their last two games or a Buffalo loss to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. Unless the Bills lose to the 3-11 Patriots on Sunday, Mahomes won't be rested against the Steelers on Christmas.

Rattler will start Monday at Green Bay due to Derek Carr (left hand) ruled out for the contest, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Interim coach Darren Rizzi implied as much Thursday but still left the door open for Carr to prove his health as the week went on. However, Carr hasn't made enough progress in his recovery, allowing Rattler his fourth career start. In five appearances overall in his rookie campaign, Rattler has completed 69 of 120 passes (57.5 percent) for 706 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, recorded nine carries for 61 yards and committed three fumbles (two lost). Jake Haener will serve as Rattler's backup Monday.

Interim coach Darren Rizzi said Saturday that Carr (hand) "hasn't progressed enough" and has been ruled out for Monday's game in Green Bay, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

In particular, Carr still is regaining strength in his left, non-throwing hand that sustained a fracture back in Week 14 at the Giants, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. With Carr out for a second game in a row, the Saints will turn to Spencer Rattler under center Monday, while Jake Haener will serve as his backup. Carr's next opportunity to suit up is Sunday, Dec. 29 versus the Raiders.

Cousins is expected to be cut by the Falcons before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Cousins has been demoted to the backup role behind rookie first-round pick Michael Penix ahead of Atlanta's Week 16 game against the Giants. The veteran quarterback lost his starting role after posting a 1:9 TD:INT in his last five starts. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons prior to the 2024 season, but Atlanta appears ready to move forward with Penix while eating the remainder of Cousins' $100 million guarantee.

Lock (heel/left elbow) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Coach Brian Daboll told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Lock was set to regain the Giants' starting quarterback job for Week 16 after serving as the emergency third QB behind Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle in a Week 15 loss to the Ravens. Lock followed up Wednesday's limited session with back-to-back full practices this week, thereby locking him in to another start. Meanwhile, DeVito, who suffered a concussion against Baltimore, cleared concussion protocol Friday and will settle into the No. 2 role this weekend, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. While operating as the starter Weeks 13 and 14, Lock completed 42 of 81 passes (51.9 percent) for 405 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, adding nine carries for 116 yards and one TD along with a lost fumble.

O'Connell (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing fully this week.

Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, head coach Antonio Pierce noted earlier Friday that O'Connell "should be good to go" and start Sunday versus Jacksonville. With the QB subsequently maintaining his full participation level and avoiding a Week 16 injury designation, O'Connell is poised to return the lineup after being inactive for this past Monday's loss to the Falcons, a game started by Desmond Ridder.

Tagovailoa (hip) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa opened Week 16 prep with back-to-back limited practices due to a hip injury, but offensive coordinator Frank Smith told Furones on Thursday that the quarterback's health wasn't a concern. Indeed, Tagovailoa capped the week with a full session Friday, paving the way for him to continue to direct the Dolphins offense. Having said that, he likely will be working with a depleted receiving corps Sunday, as Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) is listed as questionable, while both Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (knee) are doubtful to suit up.

Levis (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Levis was added to the injury report Friday, getting in a limited session. Coach Brian Callahan already had announced Mason Rudolph as the team's starting quarterback for Week 16 against the Colts. Trevor Siemian is on the practice squad as a candidate to be elevated should Levis be unable to serve as the team's QB2 this weekend.

Carr (hand) isn't practicing Friday, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Carr is considered unlikely to play Monday at Green Bay, but Saints coach Darren Rizzi hasn't ruled the QB out and recently pushed back on the notion of Carr being shut down for the rest of the season. Rizzi said Carr likely would need to practice Saturday to have a chance to start Monday night.

Smith (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Smith was unable to finish Sunday's loss to the Packers but has been a full practice participant throughout the week. While it's possible his mobility is affected, he'll make another start Sunday versus the Vikings.