NFL Player News

Stafford (neck) is expected to have his 2023 option and 2024 salary picked up to start the new league year, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

It would be a bit surprising to see the Rams move on from their Super Bowl-winning QB after just two seasons, but it appears as if a teardown could have happened if head coach Sean McVay opted to retire. With the playcaller back in tow, it looks as if the franchise is set to run it back with the 34-year-old Stafford, who missed eight games due to various injuries this past season. Between a balky thumb injury with the Lions, elbow tendinitis more recently this past offseason and the eventual injury that landed Stafford on injured reserve -- a spinal cord contusion back in Week 11 -- the veteran has accumulated a number of body-deteriorating injuries over the past couple of years. As a result, it's hard to imagine the 2009 No. 1 overall pick playing a handful of additional seasons, but with the Rams well suited for a playoff berth currently when not dealing with a litany of injuries, expect the team and QB to extend the competitive window as long as possible.

Driskel completed two of two passes for 13 yards and had three carries for seven yards in a 32-31 win over the Colts in Week 18.

Driskel, who was part of a quarterback share with Davis Mills over the final five games, had his fewest amount of snaps (six) in the season finale. The gimmick worked as a surprise factor the first week but was less effective in the following weeks. He heads to free agency after completing 14 of 20 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Driskel also ran the ball 20 times for 75 yards. The Texans used him in the backfield and at tight end during his two seasons in Houston, and that position versatility could be attractive.

Wolford completed 38 of 62 passes for 390 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions during the 2022 season, while adding eight rushing attempts for 32 yards.

Matthew Stafford (neck) going down for the season gave Wolford the chance to prove his worth as the Rams' primary backup quarterback. Wolford, who had just one start to his name coming into the season, started in Week 10 and struggled, throwing for 212 yards, a touchdown and an interception while losing a fumble. Wolford then missed the next games with a neck injury, and returned in Week 13. The two weeks of rest did nothing to prevent another rough outing for the 27-year-old quarterback, as he threw for just 178 yards and a pair of interceptions, and Wolford would fail to throw another pass the remainder of the season after the Rams signed Baker Mayfield shortly after. The third-year signal caller out of Wake Forest is a restricted free agent, but the Rams may choose to move on from the struggling Wolford and bring in veteran depth as an insurance policy for Stafford.

Bridgewater (finger/knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this week, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN relays via coach Mike McDaniel that Bridgewater has been working to make himself available to handle a backup role in Sunday's 1:00 ET contest. In any case, with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) still out, Skylar Thompson will will draw the start at QB for the Dolphins in the team's postseason opener versus Buffalo, with Bridgewater still working his way back from a dislocated pinkie on his throwing hand.

Huntley (shoulder) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Cincinnati.

The upgrade to full participation suggests he's on track to play, but Huntley himself said Friday afternoon that he's only 90 percent healthy and anticipates being a game-time decision ahead of the Ravens' 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. With Lamar Jackson (knee) still not practicing and already ruled out, the team seemingly will only go as far as Huntley (or third-stringer Anthony Brown) can take them this January. The Bengals are heavily favored, though the Ravens put up a decent fight last week in a 27-16 loss with Brown playing QB and a few healthy starters rested. Huntley will at least have TE Mark Andrews and RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards at his disposal if he plays this week, though Baltimore's WR room is far from playoff-worthy.

Jackson (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Cincinnati, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Jackson still hasn't practiced since suffering a PCL sprain Week 13 and revealed Wednesday that his knee "remains unstable" nearly a month and a half after the injury. He may not be available in the playoffs even if the Ravens upset the Bengals this Sunday -- a tall task with Jackson ruled out and Tyler Huntley (shoulder) considered a game-time decision even after upgrading to full practice participation Friday.

Huntley (shoulder) said he's about 90 percent healthy and will be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday night's matchup with the Bengals, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Huntley presumably will be listed as questionable on the final injury report, while Lamar Jackson (knee) figures to be doubtful/out. If Huntley can't go, Anthony Brown will make another start, facing the same Bengals defense that beat up on him last week -- this time with both teams' seasons on the line.

The Dolphins are optimistic that Bridgewater (finger/knee) will be available in a backup role for Sunday's playoff game in Buffalo, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Skylar Thompson has been named the starter and Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been ruled out, but Bridgewater's status is still up in the air. Bridgewater has had trouble gripping the ball and throwing with power since dislocating the pinkie in his throwing hand in Week 17 against the Patriots. A final decision on his availability may not be made until close to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff against the Bills.

Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Friday that Thompson will start Sunday's playoff game in Buffalo, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

The Dolphins didn't envision Thompson starting on wild card weekend when they selected him in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but the rookie out of Kansas State will get the opportunity to do so, as Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) remains sidelined and Teddy Bridgewater is hampered by a pinkie finger issue on his throwing hand. Bridgewater has been practicing in limited fashion and could dress as the backup to Thompson, who appeared in seven games (two starts) during the regular season but didn't throw for more than 166 yards in any game while posting a 1:3 TD:INT.

Jackson, who didn't practice Thursday, posted on his personal Twitter account that his left knee "remains unstable" as the Ravens prepare for Sunday's wild-card game at Cincinnati, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson logged his 17th DNP in a row Thursday as he continues his recovery from a knee injury that he sustained Week 13 against the Broncos. He clarified his health in back-to-back tweets, writing, "I've suffered a PCL Grade 2 sprain on the borderline of a strain 3. There is still inflammation surrounding my knee, and my knee remains unstable." Jackson thus appears as if he'll be ruled out for a sixth consecutive contest, which will be revealed on Friday's injury report. As for the Ravens' starting quarterback if that comes to pass, Tyler Huntley has been limited in both sessions this week and even resumed throwing Thursday as he deals with tendinitis in his right throwing shoulder, so he and Anthony Brown are the candidates to be under center for the Ravens on Sunday.