NFL Player News

Head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that the Jets plan to activate Rodgers (Achilles) from injured reserve, but the veteran quarterback won't be cleared to play for any of the team's final three games of the season. for the veteran QB to continue to practice as part of his injury rehab process.

Though Rodgers will be added back to the 53-man roster for the first time since Week 1, he'll likely be inactive now that New York has been eliminated from playoff contention. The Jets are activating Rodgers solely for the purpose of allowing him to continue practicing with the team as part of his rehab process for his surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon. Saleh has yet to confirm a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against the Commanders, but if Zach Wilson is unable to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Trevor Siemian would be in store for his first start with the Jets.

Wilson (concussion) won't practice Wednesday and remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that the Jets are "not closing the door yet" on Wilson being available for Sunday's game against the Commanders, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. If he's able to clear the five-step protocol, Wilson would be in line to start against Washington. Should Wilson sit out the Week 16 contest, however, Trevor Siemian -- who replaced the third-year signal-caller in the first half of a 30-0 loss to Miami last Sunday -- would make his first start of 2023.

Head coach Arthur Smith announced Wednesday that the Falcons plan to have Heinicke serve as their starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2023 season, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Assuming Heinicke doesn't lose the job due to injury, he'll wrap up the regular season with starts against the Colts, Bears and Saints, with Desmond Ridder presumably operating as his backup. In Heinicke's only full game this season -- a Week 9 loss to the Vikings -- he completed 21 of 38 pass attempts for 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception. For fantasy purposes, Heinicke finds himself as an emergency option in leagues that include multiple lineup spots for quarterbacks, and his presence doesn't move the needle too significantly in either direction for key skill-position players such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday that Lawrence remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, but is "progressing well," Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Pederson didn't clarify whether the progress Lawrence has made will result in him practicing in some capacity Wednesday. If Lawrence is unable to clear the five-step protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, C.J. Beathard would be in line to fill in for Lawrence this weekend. Meanwhile, the Jaguars bolstered their signal-caller depth in advance of the Week 16 game by adding E.J. Perry to their practice squad.

Stidham played the Broncos' final four offensive snaps of Saturday's 42-17 loss to the Lions, attempting no passes during his time on the field.

Stidham handed the ball off four times after taking the field for the Broncos' last possession in place of starter Russell Wilson, who was held out for rest while the game's outcome was already decided. Up until exiting the contest, Wilson had played every offensive snap this season, so Saturday's game marked Stidham's 2023 and Broncos debuts.

Allen played Buffalo's final seven snaps on offense in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Cowboys, attempting no passes and kneeling down twice for minus-two yards.

Allen checked into the game with 10:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, when Buffalo held a commanding 31-3 lead. The Bills didn't ask Allen to do anything more than to keep the clock moving, as the team ran the ball on all seven of his plays. Allen has yet to attempt a pass this season despite coming off the bench on six occasions this season, usually in garbage-time scenarios.

Luton was cut from the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Luton was previously let go by the Panthers and then brought back earlier in December. However, with the season getting closer to its end, the 27-year-old may not get that opportunity this year.

Stroud appears likely to miss a second straight game Sunday against the Browns while he remains in the concussion protocol, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Stroud hasn't been officially ruled out for Sunday's contest yet, and he could end up carrying a questionable or doubtful tag into the weekend if he manages to make some progress through the five-step protocol during the week. However, Stroud isn't expected to practice Wednesday and probably won't be anything more than a limited participant if he's cleared to get back on the field Thursday, so the Texans appear set to prepare Case Keenum for another start. While Stroud was sidelined for last week's 19-16 overtime win over the Titans, Davis Mills served as the backup to Keenum, who completed 23 of 36 pass attempts for 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Texans signed Boyle to their practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Boyle will head to Houston after completing 48 of 77 of his passes for 360 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions in three games for the Jets earlier this season. The 29-year-old will now serve as a depth option if C.J. Stroud (concussion) is unable to play Sunday versus the Browns.

Mannion reverted to Seattle's practice squad Tuesday.

Mannion was active but didn't play during Monday's win over the Eagles as he served as an emergency option behind Drew Lock and Geno Smith. Mannion will now wait for another opportunity to be elevated.