NFL Player News

Stroud acknowledge his poise faltered against Kansas City's aggressive defense in the second half of Sunday's win over the Chiefs, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports. "I think that's something I can get better at, just being calm in the chaos," Stroud said. "Pressure, guys flying at your feet, hitting you after the whistle or whatever the case may be. I just want to be able to put my team in better positions."

Lost among Houston's fifth straight victory and dominating defensive effort was the offense's second-half struggles to move the ball. After leaping to a 10-0 lead at halftime, the Texans totaled 67 yards (2.0 yards per play) in the final 30 minutes with four consecutive three-and-outs as the Chiefs dialed up blitz after blitz. Houston's defense set up a couple of short fields in the fourth quarter, which produced the final 10 points and secured the win. Stroud's performance against the pressure is somewhat surprising, given his 60.3 percent completion percentage against pressure heading into the game was the best of his career and better than most quarterbacks this season. In Week 15, Stroud faces the Cardinals, who rank 12th in blitzing (25.1 percent) but only 27th in pressures (18.3 percent) and sacks (24) through 13 games.

Mayfield completed 19 of 34 passes for 277 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding one rush for one yard in the Buccaneers' 29-28 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night. He also threw a two-point conversion pass.

Mayfield clawed his way to an impressive yardage total despite finding himself under constant pressure, taking five sacks and seven official hits overall. The veteran signal-caller did clearly benefit from the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve, as the duo accounted for 170 total receiving yards, with 132 of those coming from Evans. Mayfield's one interception was also particularly critical to the outcome, as it came with 8:28 remaining at the Falcons' 33-yard line and ultimately led to an Atlanta touchdown that narrowed what had been a 28-20 deficit. On the brighter side, Mayfield's yardage total was his best since Week 5, and he'll aim to keep the Buccaneers' playoff hopes afloat with a more efficient performance in a Week 16 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Cousins completed 30 of 44 passes for 373 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Falcons' 29-28 win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

Cousins' what-year-is-this performance was worthy of a double take, considering the veteran signal-caller had looked like he'd regressed considerably in his previous four starts and two in-game cameos prior to Thursday night. He had embarrassed the Buccaneers secondary last season in an unforgettable 509-yard, four-touchdown TNF performance as well, and this latest prolific effort went largely through tight end Kyle Pitts, who was on the receiving end of 11 of Cousins' completions totaling 166 yards and also recorded all three receiving touchdowns on the night. Cousins' performance was all the more noteworthy considering the absence of Drake London (knee), and it certainly brightens the outlook for the Falcons' air attack heading into a Week 16 road matchup against the Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 21 that the talented wideout should have a good chance of being ready for.

Bazelak (coach's decision) is inactive but will be available as Tampa Bay's emergency third quarterback for Thursday's game against Atlanta, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Bazelak is set to serve as the Buccaneers' third quarterback for the third straight week. He has yet to see any game action in his rookie season and that's unlikely to change in Week 15 against Atlanta.

Herbert (hand) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Herbert didn't report any setbacks with his fractured left hand while playing through the injury in Monday's 22-19 overtime win over the Eagles, with the quarterback telling Kris Rhim of ESPN.com on Wednesday that postgame X-rays came back "clean for the most part." The signal-caller had underwent surgery on his non-throwing hand just one week before the matchup with Philadelphia and completed just 12 of 26 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the victory. However, Herbert made up for the lackluster passing performance by carving up the Eagles on the ground, running for a season-high 66 yards on 10 carries. Though he's had his reps capped in both of the Chargers' first two Week 15 practices, Herbert still looks on track to start Sunday's game at Kansas City.

Cook is likely to start Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports, as Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) both remained sidelined at Thursday's practice.

Cook has handled first-team reps in practice while preparing to make his first NFL start Sunday at Jacksonville. Taylor and Fields both appear likely to sit out Sunday's game. The Jets signed Adrian Martinez, whom Cook beat out for a spot with the team after the preseason, to their practice squad Wednesday. Cook saw his first regular-season NFL action in relief of Taylor in the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Dolphins.

Lawrence (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Lawrence was a surprise inclusion on the Jaguars' initial Week 15 injury report after he was a limited participant Wednesday due to an ankle issue, but his ability to take full reps a day later clears up any lingering doubt about his availability for this Sunday's game versus the Jets. During the Jaguars' ongoing four-game winning streak, Lawrence has completed 65 of 109 pass attempts (59.6 percent) for 882 yards (8.1 YPA), eight touchdowns and four interceptions while adding 79 yards and a score on 17 carries.

Smith (right shoulder/back) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

On Wednesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport indicated that Smith is considered unlikely to start Sunday's game against the Eagles, and back-to-back 'DNPs' logged Wednesday and Thursday by the QB support that notion. If Smith is indeed unavailable this weekend, Kenny Pickett would be in line to make his first start of the season.

Trubisky (illness) didn't practice Thursday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

If Trubisky doesn't return to full participation Friday, he will likely carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Patriots. Practice squad quarterback Shane Buechele would work as the backup to Josh Allen if Trubisky's unable to suit up Sunday.

Fields (knee) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The same applies to Tyrod Taylor (groin), leaving Brady Cook and practice-squad member Adrian Martinez to handle the Jets' QB reps in Thursday's session. Friday's practice thus looms large in terms of the team's Week 15 signal-caller plans, but at this stage looming back-to-back 'DNPs' cloud the statuses of both Fields and Taylor.