NFL Player News

Pickett (ankle), who won't play Saturday against the Colts, is reportedly pushing to play in Week 16, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Brooke Pryor of ESPN previously reported that Pickett underwent a procedure to "accelerate the healing process" on a high right ankle sprain. Though the QB will miss his second straight game Saturday, Rapoport indicates that Pickett is targeting a potential return as soon as Dec. 23 against the Bengals. That said, Rapoport suggests that a return to action in Week 17 versus the Seahawks is probably a more realistic outcome for the Steelers' signal-caller.

Rourke was waived by the Jaguars on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Rourke signed with Jacksonville's active roster prior to the Week 14 matchup with the Browns in order to serve as an emergency option under center behind Trevor Lawrence (ankle) and C.J. Beathard. Assuming he clears waivers, the signal caller will presumably land back with the team's practice squad.

Hurts (illness) isn't practicing Saturday, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Hurts practiced fully Thursday and Friday, but an illness will keep him off the field Saturday. That said, the QB is expected to play Monday night against the Seahawks, though it's possible he'll approach the contest with a designation once the Eagles' final Week 15 injury report is posted.

Mills is expected to remain the Texans' No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game againt the Titans with Case Keenum in line to draw the Week 15 start in place of C.J. Stroud (concussion), Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Stroud is listed as doubtful after sustaining a concussion late in last weekend's 30-6 loss to the Jets. Mills -- who has dressed as the Texans' No. 2 quarterback all season -- came on in relief of Stroud and completed one of five passes for four yards, but Mills will apparently be bypassed for the starting nod in favor of the 35-year-old Keenum. According to Wilson, Keenum took the majority of the first-team reps in practice this week, and the Texans' coaching staff will look to see if he can provide a spark to the passing game after Mills struggled in his limited action last week.

Keenum is expected to start Sunday's game against the Titans with C.J. Stroud (concussion) listed as doubtful for the Week 15 contest, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans was non-committal on a Week 15 starter following Friday's practice, noting that both Mills and Keenum "have prepared this [whole] week, just like every position." However, Wilson's report suggests the Texans are planning on turning the offense over to Keenum -- who reportedly took the majority of the first-team snaps during practices this week -- over Mills. Though the 35-year-old Keenum has been inactive as the Texans' emergency No. 3 quarterback for each of the team's first 13 games of the season, he possesses a larger body of NFL experience than Mills, a third-year signal-caller. Over his 11 seasons spanning stops with the Texans, Rams, Vikings, Broncos, Washington, Browns and Bills, Keenum has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 6.8 yards per attempt and 78:48 TD:INT.

Smith (groin) was limited at Friday's practice, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Smith was sidelined this past Sunday at San Francisco after injuring his groin in practice three days prior. When the Seahawks opened Week 15 preparations Thursday, coach Pete Carroll told Brady Henderson of ESPN.com that Smith "feels really good" and described him as day-to-day. The extra day to rest ahead of Monday's matchup with the Eagles likely helped with the cause, and Smith now has managed back-to-back capped sessions. He'll be afforded Saturday's practice to potentially get back to full, but he also seems destined to receive a designation on the team's next injury report. If Smith isn't able to suit up Monday, Drew Lock again will direct Seattle's offense.

If Stroud (concussion), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans, isn't available this weekend, either Davis Mills or Case Keenum could start in his place, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN reports.

When Stroud -- who didn't practice this week -- was forced out of last Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Jets in the fourth quarter, Mills closed out the contest for the Texans. However, Bien-Aime indicates that Mills and Keenum split practice reps this week, and when asked Friday if Mills would start if Stroud can't, coach DeMeco Ryans replied, "Both guys have prepared this (whole) week, just like every position, everybody's prepared." In any case, look for added context regarding Stroud's status (and his potential Week 15 fill-in, if necessary) to arrive closer to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Rodgers (Achilles) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Miami, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Since Rodgers was designated for return from injured reserve Nov. 29, he's been listed as limited on six of nine Jets practice reports, including both Thursday and Friday this week. The team will need to make a decision on activating him from IR by the middle of next week, which may be contingent on winning Sunday's key AFC East matchup. In the end, it seems highly unlikely that Rodgers will complete his quick rehab from the torn Achilles that he sustained back in Week 1 and be able to play before season's end, but there's still a small chance of that coming to pass. New York will continue to roll with Zach Wilson under center moving forward.

Hill (foot/left hand) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's contest against the Giants, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Hill failed to practice at all before sitting out Week 14 versus the Panthers due to a combination of foot and left hand injuries. This time around, he opened the week with back-to-back capped sessions before getting back to all activity Friday, clearing the path for his return to action. Hill thus is slated to take on his usual gadget role in the Saints offense, which has amounted to 90 touches, eight passes, 647 yards (from scrimmage plus through the air) and six touchdowns overall in 12 appearances this season.

Stroud (concussion) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans.

The Texans are leaving the door slightly ajar for Stroud to make a miraculous late recovery after missing practice throughout the week. The much more likely scenario entails Stroud being listed as inactive ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, with Davis Mills then stepping in as the starter and Case Keenum taking the backup QB role.