NFL Player News

Mahomes (ankle) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Chargers in a "coaching decision."

The Chiefs officially listed Mahomes as doubtful for the regular-season finale upon the release of Friday's injury report, which came after Andy Reid said earlier in the week that the star quarterback would be rested in Week 18. Though Mahomes was listed with an ankle injury, the Chiefs' latest update indicates that the two-time NFL MVP isn't dealing with a health concern. Kansas City is locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, so it comes as little surprise that Mahomes won't suit up Sunday. Blaine Gabbert will make his first start of the season Week 18, while practice-squad call-up Chris Oladokun serves as his backup. Mahomes will return to action in the wild-card round of the playoffs against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Hooker (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Vikings, but will be available as an emergency option at quarterback.

Hooker will only see the field if both Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater sustain injuries. He has not played in any game this season.

Hall (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Lions, but he'll serve as the emergency quarterback, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Hall drew his first career start against the Packers in Week 17 but struggled and was benched in favor of Nick Mullens to start the second half. Hall was then demoted to third on the depth chart during Week 18 prep, so it's not surprising to see the rookie fifth-round pick listed as inactive for the regular-season finale. Mullens will start versus Detroit, while Joshua Dobbs serves as the primary backup.

Jones (coach's decision) was designated the Patriots' inactive third QB for Sunday's game against the Jets.

As a result, Nathan Rourke will serve as Bailey Zappe's top backup in the Patriots' season finale. Jones last saw game action in the team's Week 12 loss to the Giants.

Beathard will serve as the Jaguars' backup quarterback for Sunday's game against the Titans with Trevor Lawrence (shoulder/finger) active for the contest and cleared to start, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

While Lawrence missed the first game of his NFL career in Week 17 due to an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, Beathard stepped in to make the start and managed the game effectively in the Jaguars' 26-0 win over Carolina, completing 17 of 24 pass attempts for 178 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers. Lawrence wasn't involved in practice as anything more than a limited participant this week and still isn't fully healthy, but he'll get the green light to return to the lineup as Jacksonville looks to secure a playoff spot with a win over Tennessee. Beathard will thus move back into the No. 2 role, while Matt Barkley is inactive as Jacksonville's emergency No. 3 quarterback.

Levis (foot) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

It was announced earlier in the week that Levis would not be available to start, with veteran Ryan Tannehill instead getting the nod. Malik Willis will serve as the backup, meaning barring injuries to both quarterbacks, Levis will end his rookie season with and 8:4 TD:INT while averaging 7.1 yards per attempt across nine contests. His future role with the team remains uncertain, though there's a strong chance he'll be in the mix to be Tennessee's starter in 2024.

Ridder will serve as Atlanta's starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Saints, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Ridder had been benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke twice this season, but the 2022 third-round pick will get another crack as a starter in Week 18 with the latter signal-caller nursing an ankle injury. Ridder has appeared in 14 games this season, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,545 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's also fumbled 11 times, losing six of them. Logan Woodside will be Ridder's primary backup, while Heinicke is officially listed as the emergency No. 3 quarterback.

Heinicke (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, but he'll operate as the emergency quarterback, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Heinicke was deemed questionable after logging three limited sessions during Week 18 prep but will ultimately be inactive for the regular-season finale due to an ankle injury he aggravated versus Chicago in Week 17. He started the season as Desmond Ridder's backup, but Heinicke eventually claimed a starting role and appeared in five games this season, completing 54.5 percent of his passes for 890 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. Ridder will start versus New Orleans, while Logan Woodside is the primary backup. If both Ridder and Woodside are forced out of Sunday's game due to injuries, Heinicke would be eligible to play, though it's unclear how mobile he'd be given his lower-body injury.

Mayfield (ribs) is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Coach Todd Bowles confirmed Friday that Mayfield would be available to start in the final regular-season matchup, though his active status serves as confirmation. The Buccaneers need to beat Carolina to win the NFC South title and clinch a playoff berth. Mayfield enters the matchup having thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of his last four games.

Lawrence (right shoulder/left finger) is active and will start in Sunday's game against the Titans, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

With the Jaguars needing a win Sunday to claim the AFC South title and earn a trip to the postseason, Lawrence will make his return from a one-game absence to direct the Jacksonville offense. He'll likely be operating at well below 100 percent, after he was listed as a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday while recovering from an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder as well as an injury to a finger on his non-throwing hand. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Lawrence won't be at risk of reinjury to the shoulder by suiting up Sunday, though he'll have to manage some pain. In his return to action, Lawrence should will get one of his starting receivers in Zay Jones (knee/hamstring) back from a two-game absence, though Christian Kirk (groin) won't suit up despite being activated from injured reserve Saturday.