NFL Player News

Zappe was the second quarterback to handle drills at Tuesday's unofficial practice behind Mac Jones (undisclosed), Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal reports.

Zappe has stepped in for Jones three times this season, including in the Patriots' last game Week 10 against the Colts in Germany. Both QBs tossed horrid interceptions in that contest, and afterward coach Bill Belichick wouldn't commit to a starter with a Week 11 bye on tap. After the respite, Belichick again relayed to Evan Lazar of the team's official site Tuesday, "I've told all the players the same thing: be ready to go." Tuesday's practice rotation may offer a clue as to who will be under center Sunday against the Giants, but the decision may not be officially announced until later in the week.

Jones (undisclosed) handled the initial QB reps at Tuesday's unofficial practice, Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal reports.

After the Patriots' last game Week 10 against the Colts in Germany, coach Bill Belichick was non-committal on who would be under center following a Week 11 bye, and he remained that way Tuesday, telling Evan Lazar of the team's' official site, "I've told all the players the same thing: be ready to go." The fact Jones mixed into drills first Tuesday, followed by Bailey Zappe, perhaps is the first indication that the former will continue to operate as New England's starting quarterback Sunday at the Giants. Still, given Belichick's comments the last few weeks, a decision may not be apparent until game day, or close to it.

The Jets signed Siemian from their practice squad to the active roster Tuesday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

The veteran quarterback joined the Jets a little more than two weeks after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in the season opener, but Siemian remained on the practice squad until now. After another dismal effort from Zach Wilson on Sunday though, coach Robert Saleh has opted to go with Tim Boyle as the team's starting quarterback, with Siemian set to serve as the No. 2 signal-caller in Week 12 and Wilson moving to third-string status. Siemian made two appearances (one start) for the Bears last season, completing 15 of 26 passes for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Jones is slated to undergo surgery on the torn ACL in his right knee Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Prior to his season ending in Week 9, Jones sat out the previous three games due to a neck injury, limiting him to just six appearances during the 2023 campaign. Overall, he completed a respectable 68 percent of his passes, but he also posted a career-low 5.7 yards per attempt, notched a 2:6 TD:INT and fumbled four times (one lost). Undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito will continue to direct the Giants offense, with Matt Barkley backing him up until Tyrod Taylor (ribs) comes off IR. Jones is expected to face an 8-to-10-month recovery from surgery, so while he likely won't be available for OTAs, he could be fully cleared ahead of Week 1 of the 2024 season.

Speaking with the media Tuesday, coach Bill Belichick refused to name Jones (undisclosed) or any other teammate a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Giants, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. "I've told everybody to be ready to go," Belichick said.

Belichick is trying to keep things close to the vest and said he'd announce a starter Sunday morning. All three of Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier have taken first-team reps in practice since the Week 10 loss to the Colts. Jones, who suffered a bruise in the team's Week 10 loss in Germany, has not progressed as expected under offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, throwing 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 10 starts while averaging a career-low 203.1 passing yards per game. Zappe would be the most logical option to start if it's not Jones. Neither is a recommended fantasy bet for the foreseeable future.

Mahomes completed 24 of 43 passes for 177 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Chiefs' 21-17 loss to the Eagles on Monday night. He also rushed six times for 38 yards.

Mahomes' final line would have been appreciably different had Marquez Valdes-Scantling not failed to bring in a perfectly thrown bomb on a post pattern with 1:50 remaining that would have likely sealed a victory for Kansas City. As it was, Mahomes was surprisingly limited throughout the night by an Eagles defense that has had trouble defending the pass most of the season, as he averaged a season-low 4.1 yards per attempt on his way to a season-worst yardage total, though that had more to do with his receivers dropping the ball than any real flaw in Mahomes' game. Mahomes did connect with Justin Watson and Travis Kelce for three- and four-yard scoring tosses, respectively, in the first half, giving the talented signal-caller his seventh multi-touchdown tally of the campaign. Mahomes now will turn his sights to a Week 12 divisional road battle against a Raiders team playing much more inspired football under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.

Hurts completed 14 of 22 passes for 150 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Monday's 21-17 win over Kansas City. He added 29 yards and two touchdowns on 12 rushing attempts.

Hurts had just 69 passing yards and an interception through three quarters, but he got his team back into the game with a 10-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, cutting Kansas City's lead to 17-14. His arm finally heated up in the fourth, as Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard gain down to the 1-yard line to set up a quarterback sneak for the go-ahead touchdown on the next play. Neither team scored in the final 6:20, allowing the Eagles to avenge their Super Bowl LVII loss and improve to 9-1. Hurts' 15:9 TD:INT through the air is nothing to write home about, but his nine rushing touchdowns heading into a Week 12 home game against the Bills are just two back of Raheem Mostert's league-leading total.

Lock completed two of six passes for three yards and an interception in the 17-16 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Geno Smith exited the game late in the third quarter after taking a hard hit from Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Lock entered the game in relief but was unable to get the offense moving, completing his two full drives with a three-and-out and an interception. Smith eventually returned to the game for the Seahawks' final drive, which ended in a Jason Myers missed field goal. The Seahawks play again Thursday versus the 49ers. According to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune, head coach Pete Carroll expects Smith to be ready. If Smith is unable to go, though, Lock will start in the daunting divisional matchup.

Smith (elbow) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Smith was on the receiving end of a hard hit from Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald on Sunday that sent him to the sideline late in the third quarter through the Seahawks' final offensive possession, when he led the team into L.A. territory, only for Seattle kicker Jason Myers to miss a game-winning 55-yard field goal. Afterward, coach Pete Carroll told Boyle that Smith suffered a bruised elbow, but it was clarified Monday as a bruise to the tendon on the bottom of his triceps, as Carroll told Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. Carroll does expect Smith to be able to suit up Thursday against the 49ers, but he may not get any practice reps until Wednesday, at the earliest, Carroll told Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. If Smith is unable to go, though, Drew Lock would handle QB duties for the Seahawks.

McKee (coach's decision) will be inactive for Monday's matchup with the Chiefs but serve as the emergency quarterback.

McKee is set to technically suit up, but he will only enter the game if both Jalen Hurts and Marcus Mariota sustain injuries.