NFL Player News

Beathard will be the Jaguars' starting quarterback Sunday against the Panthers with Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) ruled out for that contest, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Lawrence emerged from a Week 16 loss at Tampa Bay with an AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder, which kept him off the practice field Wednesday through Friday. Now that Lawrence won't be available Sunday, Beathard is poised for his first start since Week 17 of the 2020 season for the 49ers. In six appearances subbing in for Lawrence this season, Beathard has completed 23 of 29 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown and also rushed five times for 11 yards.

Lawrence (right shoulder) won't play Sunday against the Panthers, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

With Lawrence set to miss the first regular-season game of his NFL career, C.J. Beathard will start at QB for the Jaguars on Sunday. Lawrence will now target a potential return to action Week 18 versus the Titans.

Pickett (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

While Pickett, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is questionable for the contest, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Friday that Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback for the Steelers in Week 17. As a result, Pickett could serve in a backup capacity Sunday, but if he's made inactive, Mitch Trubisky would be Pittsburgh's No. 2 QB versus Seattle.

Howell would start Sunday's game against the 49ers if Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) -- who is listed as questionable -- doesn't play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Brissett was added to the injury report Friday due to hamstring tightness. Howell started Washington's first 15 games of the season but was set to move to a backup role after being benched mid-game in both of his last two outings. If Brissett is unable to play this weekend, Howell will make his 16th start of the season, though the second-year signal-caller is unlikely to bounce back against the tough 49ers defense after posting a 2:8 TD:INT over his last five starts.

The Browns signed Driskel to their active roster from the Cardinals' practice squad Friday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

With Deshaun Watson (shoulder) and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) both likely out for the rest of the season, Cleveland saw fit to add some depth at quarterback ahead of the postseason. Over twenty passes with Houston last year, Driskel averaged a dismal 5.4 yards per attempt. It should be noted that the Texans also used Driskel as a gadget player who had 20 rush attempts in 2022. The Broncos before the Texans used Driskel in a similar fashion, not unlike how the Browns used Thompson-Robinson after Joe Flacco assumed the starting role.

Rudolph is slated to start Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com report.

Rudolph, who completed 17 of his 27 passing attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns while rushing twice for four yards in the Steelers' 34-11 win over the Bengals in Week 16, thus is slated to make his second consecutive start with Kenny Pickett dealing with an ankle issue. In that context, Rudolph represents a fantasy lineup option for those who roster Pickett or otherwise are in need of QB help in Week 17.

Brissett was a limited practice participant Friday due to a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports that Brissett informed coaches of his hamstring tightness after team meetings Thursday. The QB got treatment Friday morning and still managed to practice in a limited capacity, but there's now some doubt about his ascension to the starting role, which was announced by coach Ron Rivera on Wednesday. If Brissett ends up unable to play ahead of the Commanders' 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, fellow quarterback Sam Howell will make his 16th start of the season.

Heinicke (ankle) was a full participation in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bears, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Heinicke was limited during practice Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle injury, but he's now cleared and fully on track to start on the road in Chicago. He'll look to take advantage of a vulnerable Bears secondary after having gone 23-for-33 passing for 229 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against the Colts in Week 16.

Tagovailoa (thumb/quadriceps) will start Sunday's game against the Ravens, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

Tagovailoa's practice participation during the week was limited by the pair of injuries, but he'll be out there for Sunday's pivotal clash. With a win in Baltimore, the 11-4 Dolphins would take over as the top seed in the AFC, but a loss could open the door for the Bills to win the AFC East, as Miami hosts Buffalo in Week 18 and has already lost once to the Bills this season. Tagovailoa will be working without his second-favorite target Sunday, as Jaylen Waddle (ankle) has been ruled out.

Coach Robert Saleh said Friday that it's too early to tell whether Wilson (concussion) will be available for next Sunday's season finale against the Patriots, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson has missed the last two games while in concussion protocol, and Trevor Siemian has put up underwhelming numbers while filling in under center. While Wilson has more than a full week to recover before the Jets travel to New England in Week 18, the 6-10 Jets will have nothing to play for, so they have little reason to rush Wilson's return. His participation level in practice next week will likely be indicative of Wilson's chances of suiting up against the Patriots.