NFL Player News

Head coach Pete Carroll said that Smith (groin) will be a "full go" at Wednesday's walk-through practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The Seahawks had a bit of quarterback drama ahead of Monday's game against the Eagles. After Smith completed a pregame workout, the team left him active, but Drew Lock then handled all the first-team reps in warmups while Smith remained off the field. About 15 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Lock and not Smith was expected to start, and Lock ended up directing Seattle's offense as Smith donned street clothes. While Lock ended up leading Seattle to a come-from-behind 20-17 win, Carroll said Monday that Smith will resume starting quarterback duties once his groin is healthy. With an uncapped practice on tap to kick off Week 16 prep, Smith is back in the saddle as the Seahawks' No. 1 signal-caller.

Pickett (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Pickett took reps behind Mason Rudolph and ahead of Mitch Trubisky, though Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com notes that Pickett's movement looked limited compared to the other two quarterbacks. Rudolph has been penciled in as the tentative starter for Saturday's game against the Bengals, though Pickett would be Pittsburgh's first choice to start if deemed healthy enough to play without significant limitations.

The Chargers signed Duggan to their practice squad Wednesday.

Duggan was waived by the Chargers on Monday, but he's now back with the organization as a practice squadder. As long as both Easton Stick and Will Grier remain available, Duggan is unlikely to make his NFL debut this season.

Lawrence (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, Juston Lewis of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Lawrence was placed in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol after this past Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Ravens. He'll have two more opportunities to return to practice this week, but even if he ends up participating fully by Friday, he'll still need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist if he's to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Buccaneers. If Lawrence is forced to miss a start for the first time in his NFL career, C.J. Beathard would be the next man up under center.

Keenum is likely to make a second consecutive start Sunday against the Browns while C.J. Stroud (concussion) is expected to remain sidelined, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Keenum started in Week 15 and guided the Texans to a 19-16 overtime win over the Titans with Stroud in concussion protocol. Stroud has yet to be officially ruled out for the Week 16 contest, but with the rookie quarterback having yet to make enough progress through the five-step protocol to be available to play, Keenum looks poised for another start. Houston also has Davis Mills in its quarterback room but is unlikely to shift away from Keenum, who threw for 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win over Tennessee.

Head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday that Tannehill will start Sunday against the Seahawks if Will Levis (ankle) is unable to play, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

After sustaining the ankle injury on Tennessee's final offensive play of this past Sunday's overtime loss to the Texans, Levis didn't practice Wednesday, per Wyatt. Since making a recovery from a right high-ankle sprain suffered in mid-October, Tannehill has served as Levis' top backup over the last four games and will get the starting nod over Malik Willis if Levis isn't cleared to play this weekend. Tannehill started Tennessee's first six games of the season and posted an ugly 2:6 TD:INT.

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

Levis suffered a right ankle sprain during this past Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss to the Texans, and as a result, his status for this weekend's contest against the Seahawks is uncertain. If Levis ends up missing the Week 16 contest, head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Wednesday that Ryan Tannehill would step in as the Titans' starting signal-caller, per Wyatt.

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.