NFL Player News

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.

Rodgers (Achilles) was activated from injured reserve Wednesday but won't play in any of the Jets' final three games of the season, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers wouldn't have been able to continue practicing if the Jets had left him on IR beyond Wednesday, which marked the end of his 21-day evaluation window after he had been designated for return Nov. 29. Though the Jets won't keep Rodgers active over any of their final three games now that they've been eliminated from playoff contention, he'll continue to get more reps in with many of the players that will block for him or catch passes from him next season while he simultaneously regains confidence with with his surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon. Zach Wilson (concussion) or Trevor Siemian will start Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Flacco is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a calf injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

The Browns didn't actually practice Wednesday but presumably will do so Thursday as they prepare for a road game in Houston this Sunday. Flacco didn't miss any snaps in this past Sunday's 20-17 win over the Bears, throwing for 374 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions on 44 attempts.

Lock is expected to return to a backup role Sunday in Tennessee after Geno Smith (groin) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Lock played reasonably well during Smith's two-week absence, but head coach Pete Carroll already confirmed after Monday's 20-17 win over the Eagles that Smith will return to the starting role when healthy, per Henderson. With Smith already kicking off Week 16 prep without any apparent restrictions, Lock will drop back to his usual No. 2 role this Sunday.