NFL Player News

Burrow completed 33 of 44 pass attempts for 369 yards, three touchdowns and one interception with a pair of kneel downs for a loss of two yards in Monday's 27-20 win over Dallas.

Burrow was spectacular in front of a national audience Monday, but he actually came out victorious after dropping the Bengals last three games with similar performances. The soon-to-be 28-year-old only faltered on an errant pass to Ja'Marr Chase in the second half that was picked off by a Cowboys defender. Burrow now carries gaudy season totals of 3,706 passing yards to go along with 33 touchdowns (six picks) through 13 games. The fantasy stud gets a soft matchup against the Titans on Sunday for what likely will be an important playoff matchup for his managers.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Monday that Winston will start Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Stefanski noted that despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Browns' focus is "just trying to find ways to get a win," and to that end, Winston is seen as a better candidate to direct the offense than backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Winston -- who has logged a 2-4 record as the team's starter -- thus is slated to face the 12-1 Chiefs this weekend following a Week 14 outing in which he completed 24 of 41 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 27-14 loss to the Steelers.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that Cousins remains Atlanta's starting quarterback heading into a road matchup against the Raiders on Dec. 16, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Morris said Cousins "is the guy who is going to lead us" heading into a primetime matchup against Las Vegas next Monday, reaffirming the notion that Atlanta still isn't considering giving rookie first-round pick Michael Penix even a spot start. Still, the Falcons now have lost four consecutive games, during which Cousins has thrown eight interceptions without a single touchdown. If Atlanta's passing game were to notably struggle once again in Week 15, Morris' commitment to Cousins could waver.

Herbert said following Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Chiefs that he doesn't expect the leg contusion he sustained in the second quarter to affect him going forward, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.

Herbert said he "took a shot there and was in some pain, but felt good to go and went back in" during Sunday Night Football. The franchise quarterback could be seen walking with a visible limp after Sunday's contest, but it doesn't appear as though he expects to still be dealing with any restrictions versus Tampa Bay in Week 15. Herbert completed 21 of 30 pass attempts for 213 yards and one touchdown versus Kansas City, in addition to taking four carries for 12 yards.

O'Connell has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee following an MRI undergone Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

O'Connell was forced out of Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers with an air cast on his left leg, and he had to be carted off the field. All things considered, being diagnosed with only a bone bruise is a near best-case scenario for the second-year quarterback. Head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday he expects Desmond Ridder to start versus Atlanta on Monday Night Football, but it looks like O'Connell still could have a chance to start Week 15 if he can log a good week of practice.

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Monday that Carr (hand) is considered week-to-week due to his hand fracture and is not expected to be placed on IR, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports. Rizzi also relayed that Carr is in the NFL's concussion protocol.

Rizzi noted the fracture to Carr's left, non-throwing hand currently doesn't appear as though it will require surgery, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports. The interim head coach also said it's possible that Carr could start Sunday's game against the Commanders even if he's unable to practice this week, per Sean Fazende of Fox 8 New Orleans. It would be a tall task, though, for the veteran signal-caller to both clear the five-step concussion protocol fully and reach a level of comfort with his injured hand to handle full contact and play Week 15. If Carr isn't able to suit up versus Washington, starting duties will fall to one of Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that Ridder is expected to start against the Falcons in Week 15, though the team still is waiting for updates on the health of Aidan O'Connell (knee), Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Ridder appears in line for at least a spot start under center Week 15 and potentially a longer run in the No. 1 role, depending on the severity of O'Connell's injury. The 25-year-old quarterback was solid in relief during Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers, entering with just over 14 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, while also rushing twice for three yards. He recovered his only fumble.

Carr is believed to have suffered a fracture in his left non-throwing hand during Sunday's 14-11 win, an injury that will likely force him to miss multiple games, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Saints haven't yet officially disclosed the severity of Carr's injury or ruled him out to play Week 15 against the Commanders, but it appears the timing of the veteran quarterback's injury could put him in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season. Rapoport reports that New Orleans may opt not to place Carr on IR, allowing him a chance to recover in time to retake the field this season. In any case, it appears that the Saints will have to pivot to either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler under center for the immediate future.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Monday that Lock (undisclosed) is undergoing an MRI but remains in line to start Sunday's game against the Ravens, as long as he's able to suit up, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Lock was sent for X-rays after New York's 14-11 loss to the Saints in Week 14, a contest in which he completed just 21 of 49 passes for 227 yards and an interception. He did, though, toss a two-point conversion and add 59 rushing yards on five carries. Daboll said Lock emerged from the loss with "a couple bumps and bruises," per Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, so there seems to be optimism that he's avoided a more serious injury.

Coach Antonio Pierce said after Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers that O'Connell's knee injury "doesn't look good," per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that O'Connell is set to undergo additional testing Monday.

O'Connell needed an air cast on his left leg immediately after getting hurt against the Buccaneers and was carted off the field. While official word on the severity of the injury won't come until after the results of Monday's MRI, it's likely that O'Connell's injury will keep him from suiting up for the Raiders' remaining four games, which would thrust Desmond Ridder into a starting role.