NFL Player News

Smith (groin) practiced in full Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports

Smith has missed two consecutive games due to a groin injury that he suffered during a Dec. 7 practice, but he was active this past Monday against the Eagles after completing a pregame workout. In the end, the Seahawks erred on the side of caution on a wet field and rolled with Drew Lock under center, and the latter led a come-from-behind 20-17 victory. Smith told Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic on Thursday that he feels "the same Monday that I do now," which so far has amounted to full listings on the first two Week 16 practice reports. Smith seems destined to resume QB duties Sunday at Tennessee, but it remains to be seen how coach Pete Carroll approaches the situation this weekend.

Head coach Mike Tomlin announced Thursday that Trubisky will serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Mason Rudolph for Saturday's game against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Kenny Pickett will remain out for a third game in a row while recovering from tightrope surgery on his right ankle, but Trubisky will be bumped down to second on the depth chart in favor of Rudolph after starting the prior two contests. Trubisky went 0-2 during his brief run as a starter, completing 38 of 58 pass attempts for 359 yards (6.2 YPA), two touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 31 yards and two scores on 10 carries. The Steelers benched Trubisky late in this past Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts and turned to Rudolph, who will now get his first start since the 2021 season. Pickett was a limited participant in practice Tuesday through Thursday and could be ready to return to the lineup Week 17 versus the Seahawks, so Trubisky may find himself as a healthy inactive for that contest as the Steelers' emergency No. 3 quarterback.

Levis (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

With Levis, who also didn't practice Wednesday, sidelined for the second straight day, veteran QB Ryan Tannehill once again saw extensive work with the Titans offense Thursday. Levis now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, but if he's unavailable this weekend, Ryan Tannehill would serve as the Titans' starting signal-caller Week 16.

Flacco (calf) was a full practice participant Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Flacco is ready to make another start Sunday in Houston, after leading the Browns to back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and Bears. He's surprisingly thrown for at least 254 yards and two touchdowns in each of his three starts, but that's largely due to massive volume (44 or 45 attempts in every game) and has also come with five interceptions and two fumbles (one lost). The underlying efficiency stats -- 57.9 completion rate, 7.1 YPT -- and total lack of rushing production suggest Flacco is unlikely to continue putting up big fantasy scores even if he's stabilizing a Browns offense that had been a complete disaster with PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center.

Wilson (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's walkthrough, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson, who remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, also was listed as a non-participant Wednesday and now has one more chance to get some work in before Sunday's game against the Commanders. Per Cimini, at this stage all signs point to Trevor Siemian getting the Jets' starting QB nod Week 16.

Lawrence (concussion/ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Lawrence didn't practice Wednesday either and has just one more opportunity to get in some on-field work prior to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. If the Jaguars' franchise quarterback isn't cleared to play this weekend, C.J. Beathard would be in line for the starting nod Sunday.

Stroud (concussion) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stroud, who is in the NFL's concussion protocol, also missed Wednesday's practice and is trending toward missing his second consecutive game Sunday against the Browns. If Stroud remains sidelined this weekend, Case Keenum again would be in line to fill in at QB for the Texans in Week 16.

Rudolph will start at quarterback Saturday against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin officially ruled out Kenny Pickett (ankle) for Week 16, paving the way for Rudolph to make his first start in nearly two seasons. While Pickett was sidelined for both of the previous two games while recovering from a right ankle procedure, Mitch Trubisky had stepped in as the starter for both contests, but he completed 38 of 58 passes for 6.2 yards per attempt and a 2:3 TD:INT before being benched for Rudolph late in this past Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts. Trubisky will serve as the Steelers' No. 2 signal-caller this Saturday behind Rudolph, who could be an option for managers in leagues that start two quarterbacks or are able to use a QB in a flex spot.

Pickett (ankle) won't play Saturday against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

With Pickett sidelined once again Week 16, Mason Rudolph is slated to serve as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback, per Pryor. Rudolph will be backed up by Mitch Trubisky, who had started both of the previous two games while Pickett had been sidelined after undergoing a procedure on his right ankle. Pickett took a step forward by turning in a trio of limited practices this week, perhaps setting him up for a return to the lineup Week 17 against the Seahawks on Dec. 31.

Stroud (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Stroud hasn't practiced since entering concussion protocol during a 30-6 loss to the Jets in Week 14, and multiple reports have suggested he's unlikely to play in the Texans' upcoming game Sunday against Cleveland. The rookie quarterback still has a few days to clear the five-step protocol prior to Sunday's game, but his chances of playing this week aren't looking promising at the moment. The Texans seem to be preparing Case Keenum for another start in Stroud's stead.