NFL Player News

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Mullens will start Sunday's season finale against the Lions.

As Minnesota's quarterback carousel continues to spin, it has landed back on Mullens for the season finale. Mullens played the entire second half of the team's Week 17 loss to the Packers after the Vikings' curious decision to start rookie Jaren Hall backfired. In two previous starts this season, Mullens threw for an impressive 714 yards and four touchdowns but also had six interceptions.

Wentz will start at quarterback in Sunday's regular-season finale against the 49ers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Matthew Stafford will get a week off for the Rams, who are locked into a wild-card spot in the NFC. Wentz will make the 93rd start of his career and his first start since Week 17 of the 2022 season, when he was with Washington. Over stops with the Eagles, Colts and Commanders, Wentz owns a 151:66 career TD:INT.

Stafford won't play Sunday against the 49ers, as the Rams will rest him in preparation for the postseason and start Carson Wentz at quarterback in Week 18, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The Rams have clinched a playoff berth at 9-7 but have no chance at claiming the NFC West crown, which belongs to the 49ers. Stafford finishes the regular season with 3,965 passing yards and a 24:11 TD:INT to go with 65 rushing yards on 21 attempts across his 15 appearances.

Allen (neck/finger) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.

Allen had some soreness in his neck after Sunday's 27-21 win over the Patriots, but his full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough suggests he isn't in danger of sitting out this weekend's regular-season finale in Miami. His presence under center Sunday will be pivotal, as the Bills would win the AFC East with a victory but could miss the postseason altogether with a loss, depending on how things unfold in other Week 18 games. Since the Bills and Dolphins will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET in the final game of the regular season, Buffalo will already know where it stands in the playoff picture before the game begins.

Taylor (back) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Earlier Wednesday, head coach Brian Daboll named Taylor the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Eagles, suggesting that the Giants don't anticipate the back injury hindering the signal-caller's availability for the season finale. Nonetheless, Taylor's participation level in practice Thursday and Friday will be worth monitoring as the Giants prepare for a rematch with a reeling Philadelphia defense against whom Taylor threw for 133 yards in one half of action two weeks ago.

Brissett (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Though he was initially named the Commanders' starting quarterback for Week 17, Brissett was ultimately inactive for Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers due to the hamstring injury he suffered in practice last Thursday. While the fact that Brissett is practicing in some capacity to kick off Week 18 prep is a positive sign, he'll be stuck in a backup role if he's cleared to play in this Sunday's season finale versus the Cowboys. Head coach Ron Rivera has already announced that Sam Howell will retain starting duties for Week 18.

Levis (foot) isn't expected to participate in practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Levis' status for Sunday's season finale against the Jaguars remains cloudy, and with the Titans eliminated from playoff contention, the team is unlikely to push the rookie quarterback to play Week 18 if he's less than 100 percent healthy, If Levis is deemed unavailable this weekend, Ryan Tannehill would likely be in store for another turn as the Titans' starting signal-caller.

Head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Howell will start Sunday's season finale against the Cowboys, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Howell was expected to be benched Week 17 but was pressed into action when Jacoby Brissett suffered a hamstring injury in last Thursday's practice that ultimately resulted in him being inactive for the Commanders' game against San Francisco. The second-year quarterback continued to direct the Washington offense in Brissett's stead, but his struggles continued in the 27-10 loss to the 49ers. Though Howell has a putrid 3:10 TD:INT over his last six starts, Washington will have him finish out the season in a starting role, even if Brissett gains clearance to play against Dallas. Given his poor finish to the season, Howell will likely face competition for the starting role in 2024, but he'll get one more opportunity to help his case Sunday with a strong showing against a motivated Cowboys team that would clinch the NFC East title with a win.

Head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Gabbert will start Sunday's game against the Chargers, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

With the Chiefs secure as the No. 3 playoff seed in the AFC playoffs, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be rested this weekend, with an eye toward keeping him healthy for the wild-card round. Gabbert will thus step in for his first extended action with the Chiefs, as his lone appearance this season came in the second half of a blowout win over the Bears in Week 3. The 34-year-old Gabbert has made 48 career NFL starts, though Sunday's will be his first since the 2018 season.

Driskel will serve as the Browns' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Given that the Browns are locked in as the No. 5 playoff seed in the AFC playoffs, veteran starter Joe Flacco is slated to be rested in Week 18. As a result, Driskel will get the nod in Sunday's regular-season finale and will be backed up by PJ Walker. Driskel represents a lineup option -- albeit a risky one -- for those inclined to take a chance in DFS contests on a quarterback with some rushing upside. The 30-year-old signal-caller has completed just 59.2 percent of his passes for 6.1 yards per attempt over 23 games (11 starts) in parts of five seasons with the Bengals, Lions, Broncos and Texans, but he's carried 73 times for 384 yards (5.3 average) and three touchdowns.