NFL Player News

Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that he's uncertain whether Bennett (illness) will remain with the Rams in 2024, saying it's "a conversation for another time," Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick, spent his entire rookie campaign on the reserve/NFI list due to an undisclosed non-football illness. His absence was felt during the portions of the season in which Matthew Stafford missed time, as the Rams struggled to find answers while cycling through an unimpressive carousel of backup options. McVay said he thinks Bennett is "doing better," but that he "wouldn't be in a position to answer that accurately right now."

Beathard appeared in seven games this season, starting one, and completed 40 of 53 passes for 349 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also had eight carries for 35 yards.

The 30-year-old primarily worked in mop-up duty but saw significant action in Weeks 16 and 17 with Trevor Lawrence injured. Beathard played well in those contests, completing 28 of 39 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown, helping Jacksonville to a victory in his lone start. He's under contract for 2024 and seems likely to work as Lawrence's backup once more.

Hurts completed 25 of 35 pass attempts for 250 yards and a touchdown in the wild-card round of the playoffs, adding only one rush attempt for five yards in a 32-9 loss to Tampa Bay.

Hurts' 2023 campaign comes to an abrupt halt after he and the Eagles mustered just one touchdown in a lopsided playoff defeat to the Bucs. The 2022 MVP runner-up turned in a pedestrian passing performance despite not carrying an injury designation from a dislocated right middle finger suffered against the Giants in Week 18. Hurts' one rushing attempt Monday checks in as his lowest total over 18 starts (including postseason) this year. From a fantasy perspective, the dual-threat superstar did his thing in the regular season with 4,463 combined yards from scrimmage and 38 touchdowns compared to last year's 35 total scores. The only complaint from Hurts' stellar 17-game regular season would be the dramatic increase in turnovers compared to his breakout 2022 (20 compared to eight). Philadelphia will have to lick its wounds and regroup this offseason after an ugly end to what was poised to be a promising season.

Mayfield completed 22 of 36 passes for 337 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions and added two rushes for 16 yards in the Buccaneers' 32-9 wild-card win over the Eagles on Monday night.

Mayfield had been struggling with rib and ankle injuries coming in, but neither appeared to inhibit him at any point during his latest impressive showing. The resurgent veteran averaged 9.4 yards per attempt after generating a season-low 4.3 figure Week 18 against the Panthers, and he impressively distributed the ball to nine different targets overall. Mayfield also remained turnover-free and posted his fifth multi-touchdown tally in the last six games by connecting with David Moore (44 yards), Trey Palmer (56 yards) and Chris Godwin (23 yards) for his three scores. Mayfield's final yardage figure was propped up by great run-after-catch work on the part of both Moore and Palmer, but the veteran signal-caller carries plenty of momentum heading into what could be a high-scoring affair against the Lions in a road divisional-round clash Sunday afternoon.

The Rams signed Winn to a reserve/future contract Monday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

Winn signed with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in early May and spent most of the season on the team's practice squad. He was elevated twice during the campaign but didn't get into any games. Winn's reserve/future deal will allow him to compete for a roster spot during training camp this summer.

Allen completed 21 of 30 pass attempts for 203 yards and three touchdowns while adding 74 yards and another score on eight carries in Monday's 31-17 wild-card victory over the Steelers.

Allen and the No. 2 seed Bills took care of business against a banged-up Steelers unit in the opening round of the playoff schedule. The dual-threat quarterback had a strong game from the pocket (121.9 quarterback rating) while also ripping off a 52-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give Buffalo a 21-0 lead. Allen would cruise to victory and finish the game scoring all four of Buffalo's touchdowns. With a strong showing out of the gates, Allen prepares to host long-time rival Patrick Mahomes when the No. 3 seed Chiefs travel to Buffalo to face the Bills on Sunday.

Rudolph completed 22 of 39 passes for 229 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Steelers' 31-17 wild-card loss to the Bills on Monday afternoon. He also rushed twice for 16 yards.

Rudolph's final numbers were much better than what could been foreseen during a fairly disastrous first half for the Steelers as a whole. The fifth-year signal-caller threw an end-zone interception early in the second quarter to contribute to the struggles, but he was able to bounce back to lead a short five-play scoring drive he capped off with 10-yard touchdown toss to Diontae Johnson shortly before halftime. Rudolph subsequently recorded another scoring toss when he hit Calvin Austin from seven yards out early in the fourth quarter, but that would be the extent of Pittsburgh's points. Rudolph is slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but his solid play over the last four games, including Monday's season-ending loss, could certainly lead to the Steelers offering him an opportunity to return.

Wentz finished the 2023 regular season completing 17 of 24 pass attempts for 163 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and added 17 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.

After Matthew Stafford went down with a thumb injury and missed part of Week 8 and all of Week 9, Brett Rypien came in and performed poorly (18-for-38 for 172 yards and an interception), prompting the Rams to take a chance on Wentz. For his part, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 Draft proved up to the task against the 49ers in Week 18, taking the reigns and helping Puka Nacua set the all-time rookie reception and receiving yard marks while turning in nearly as many rushing attempts in one game as he had in eight games with the Commanders in 2022. Wentz still wants to be a starting quarterback heading into his age-31 campaign, and the unrestricted free agent might get one more chance to prove he can helm an offense with the cavalcade of ineffective and injured quarterbacks that littered the NFL landscape in 2023. If that doesn't work out, a return to the Rams to be a quality backup behind Stafford seems like a distinct possibility.

Wolford (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's wild-card game against the Eagles but is available as the emergency quarterback, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The fourth-year pro will only be allowed to enter the game if Tampa Bay's first two quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, have to exit due to injury or ejection. Wolford has yet to appear in a game this season. The quarterback has seven career appearances and one touchdown pass.

McKee (coach's decision) is inactive and serving as the Eagles' emergency third quarterback in Monday's wild-card game against Tampa Bay.

McKee didn't see any game action during the regular season, but he consistently handled emergency QB duties. That will be the case again Monday against Tampa Bay. Jalen Hurts will serve as Philadelphia's lead signal-caller, with Marcus Mariota backing him up.