NFL Player News

O'Connell completed 20 of 34 passes for 248 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Raiders' 63-21 win over the Chargers on Thursday night.

O'Connell was thought to be in danger of potentially losing his job coming into Thursday, considering interim head coach Antonio Pierce declined to confirm his starter all week. However, the rookie bought himself another game, to say the least, racking up a new career high in touchdown passes while connecting with Tre Tucker (30 yards), Jakobi Meyers (22 yards), Michael Mayer (11 yards) and Tre Tucker (20 yards) in the first half. O'Connell didn't have to do much in the second half, and he'll now have some extra time to relish his first career multi-touchdown game before facing off with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on the road in a Week 16 Christmas Day matchup.

Hooker (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Broncos.

The third-string quarterback remains on the reserve/non-football injury list despite being listed as a full participant in practice on eight straight injury reports. Since the Lions designated Hooker to return Nov. 29, he would have to be added to the 53-man roster in Week 16 in order to play this season.

Smith (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Earlier Thursday, coach Pete Carroll told Brady Henderson of ESPN.com that Smith took part in the team's morning walkthrough and was slated to practice to open Week 15 prep. Those generally are positive signs after the groin injury that he suffered during last Thursday's session didn't allow him to mix into drills last Friday or play this past Sunday at San Francisco. Smith now will have two more chances to increase his activity level ahead of Monday's game against the Eagles.

Rodgers (Achilles) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The 5-8 Jets kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a win over the Texans last Sunday, so at least for one more week, Rodgers will continue his accelerated rehab program for his surgically repaired left Achilles with the hope of making an improbable late-season return. Before he resumed practicing Nov. 29, Rodgers implied that he was targeting the Week 16 game against the Commanders on Dec. 24 for his return to the lineup, but even if the Jets are able to score another upset win over the Dolphins this Sunday, it's unclear if the four-time league MVP will realistically be able on a path to play one week later. Rodgers has thus far been listed as a limited participant five times in the Jets' eight practices since he had his 21-day evaluation window opened, and in his most recent appearance Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show," the 40-year-old quarterback downplayed reports suggesting that he was on track to be medically cleared next week, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. As such, Zach Wilson appears more likely than not to make the Week 16 start versus the Commanders, regardless of the outcome of Sunday's game in Miami.

Levis (ankle) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Coming out of Monday's 28-27 come-from-behind win over the Dolphins, Levis was nursing an ankle injury and was listed as a limited participant Wednesday on the Titans' first Week 15 injury report. The team never provided an indication that the ankle issue would be anything that put Levis' status for Sunday's game against the Texans in jeopardy, however, and the quarterback's ability to take every rep Thursday officially clears the way for him to make his eighth consecutive start. The 24-year-old has been a so-so performer through his first seven NFL outings, completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 227.6 passing yards and 1.14 touchdowns per game while adding little production as a rusher (4.6 yards per game, no touchdowns).

Hill (foot/left hand) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Hill sat out the Saints' Week 14 win over the Panthers and has had his reps capped in both of the team's first two practices of Week 15, so he may need to log a full practice Friday to guarantee his availability for Sunday's game against the Giants. If cleared to play this weekend, Hill would likely step into his hybrid tight end/backfield role that often entails a handful of targets and carries. He handled a season-high 13 carries in his most recent appearance Week 12 versus the Lions, but Hill could be eased back in with a lighter workload on the ground if he suits up Sunday.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Smith (groin) took part in a walkthrough and is slated to practice later Thursday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Carroll didn't specify to what extent Smith will be involved in practice, but the coach added that the quarterback feels "really good" as the Seahawks kick off Week 15 prep. The longer turnaround for Monday's matchup with the Eagles should only aid Smith as he looks to make his return from a groin injury, which caused him to miss his first game as a member of the Seahawks this past Sunday against the 49ers. The fact that Smith is already practicing in some fashion at this stage of the week is an encouraging sign that he'll be available Monday, but he may need to turn in a full workout Friday or Saturday to avoid carrying a designation into the game. Drew Lock got the start under center in Week 14 and would be called upon to direct the offense once again Monday if Smith can't move past the groin issue.

Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Thursday that Jaren Hall, not Dobbs, will be Nick Mullens' backup for Saturday's game against the Bengals.

It's been a quick fall from grace for Dobbs after he helped guide Minnesota to back-to-back wins in Weeks 9 and 10 following his acquisition from the Cardinals. The Vikings then dropped two straight before scoring just three points last Sunday in Las Vegas. Dobbs has thrown two touchdowns and five interceptions in those last three games, while also fumbling three times and losing one. O'Connell is giving Dobbs a break, but there's a chance we could see him under center again if Mullens and Hall fail to impress.

Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Thursday that Hall will back up Nick Mullens in Saturday's game against the Bengals.

Now healthy after suffering a Week 9 concussion, Hall will be dressed ahead of Joshua Dobbs, who was benched in last week's 3-0 win over the Raiders. Hall has completed eight of 10 passes as a rookie, throwing for 101 scoreless yards.

Flacco signed a one-year contract with the Browns on Thursday.

The move comes as no surprise, given that head coach Kevin Stefanski announced after the Browns' 31-27 win over the Jaguars in Week 14 that Flacco would remain the team's starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Prior to his last two starts for Cleveland, Flacco was elevated from the practice squad, but now that he's officially on the active roster, no such transaction will be required in advance of Sunday's game against the Bears. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Flacco's deal includes a base salary of $370,800 and incentives worth up to $4.05 million based on how many wins he records as the Browns' starter.