NFL Player News

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Pickett remains in the concussion protocols and added that the quarterback's participation in practice this week will be critical in guiding a decision regarding his status for a Week 15 game at Carolina, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

According to Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site, Tomlin said that Pickett cleared the protocols upon initially exiting Sunday's loss to the Ravens after being sacked by Roquan Smith. However, Pickett was then re-evaluated and was deemed unable to continue. Now in the concussion protocol for the second time this season, the rookie quarterback may face an uphill battle to gain clearance for the weekend. If that's the case, Tomlin noted that the Steelers will keep both Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph prepared, as the two quarterbacks are set to split first-team reps in practice this week if Pickett isn't available for on-field work. The Steelers will likely wait until the end of the week before naming a starter for Sunday's contest.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed following Sunday's 34-28 loss to Kansas City that Wilson is in the concussion protocol, clouding the quarterback's status for the team's Week 15 game versus Arizona, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports. "We'll go through the step-by-step process and do it the right way," Hackett said, regarding Wilson's potential to play this Sunday.

Per Legwold, Wilson said he "felt great" when he was examined by the Broncos' team medical staff Monday, but his availability for this weekend's contest against the Cardinals will ultimate hinge on him gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. Wilson suffered a head injury early in the fourth quarter when he was tackled hard to the ground on a scramble but doesn't have a documented history of concussions. Given that Denver has been eliminated from playoff contention, the team could have some motivation to hold the signal-caller out for its final four contests, although draft position isn't an issue with Seattle holding Denver's 2023 first-round pick. At this point, Hackett suggested that the Broncos will take things "day by day" with Wilson. Brett Rypien stepped in to play the final 12 minutes of the Week 14 contest and would presumably start Sunday against Arizona if Wilson is ruled out.

Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said that Murray's left knee injury "doesn't look good" following Monday's 27-13 loss to the Patriots, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Kingsbury added that he'd never seen Murray in as bad of shape as he was after Monday's loss, according to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com. Kingsbury did not provide additional details about the status of Murray's knee other than saying that the team would "know more in the morning," per Urban. The star quarterback is already scheduled to undergo an MRI, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though it appears this examination will likely confirm a season-ending injury for Murray. Even if the worst-possible outcome is avoided, the Cardinals may take a precautious approach after falling to 4-9 on the season, effectively eliminating the team from the 2022 playoffs. If so, expect veteran Colt McCoy to take over under center for the final four games of the regular season.

McCoy filled in for an injured Kyler Murray (knee) during Monday's 27-13 loss to the Patriots, completing 27 of 40 passes for 246 yards, no touchdowns and one interception while turning five carries into 24 yards.

Unexpectedly, McCoy ended up handling most of the Cardinals' snaps on offense Week 14 after Murray suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee on the third play from scrimmage. Murray promptly was deemed questionable to return, and Arizona eventually ruled him out. Afterward, coach Kliff Kingsbury told Darren Urban of the team's official site that Murray's injury "doesn't look good," and he'll "know more" about its extent Tuesday morning. There's a likelihood Murray has logged his last action of the 2022 campaign, which would leave McCoy to be under center for the final four games.

Jones completed 24 of 35 passes for 235 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Patriots' 27-13 win over the Cardinals on Monday night. He also netted minus-1 yards on five rush attempts and fumbled once but recovered.

Jones put together solid numbers overall, but his night was a disappointment from a fantasy perspective given that he had no hand in any of his team's touchdowns. The second-year signal-caller's one interception came at New England's 41-yard line and set up a Cardinals field goal, but Jones otherwise stayed out of his team's way while the running game and defense shouldered a heavy load against an Arizona squad that lost Kyler Murray to a likely serious knee injury on the third offensive play. Jones next takes aim at a vulnerable Raiders secondary in a Week 15 road matchup.

Murray (knee) has been downgraded to out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Patriots.

Murray originally was deemed questionable to return, but it seemingly was a foregone conclusion that he would miss the rest of Monday's game. He was crying on the cart after suffering the non-contact injury to his left knee, realizing that a season-ending issue may be the likeliest outcome at this point. Colt McCoy replaced Murray under center Monday. Murray is set for an MRI and additional testing to determine the exact nature of the injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Murray (knee) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Patriots.

While scrambling on the third play of the game, Murray suffered a non-contact injury, per James Palmer of NFL Network. The non-contact nature immediately conjures fear of a season-ending torn ACL. It also looked similar to the one that Zach Wilson suffered in preseason, and Wilson ended up missing six weeks with a meniscus tear and bone bruise. A clearer picture of Murray's recovery timetable will surface after further testing, but he's almost certainly done for the game after being carted off the field.

Driskel reverted to Houston's practice squad Monday.

Driskel was elevated from the practice squad for the third time this season Week 14. After being used sparingly as a third-down rusher in his first two appearances of the season, the 29-year-old played the exact same number of snaps (33) as starting quarterback Davis Mills, with Kyle Allen in street clothes as a healthy scratch. Driskel was deployed as a rushing threat, taking seven carries for 36 yards while also going 4-for-6 passing for 38 yards and a touchdown in a 27-23 loss to the Cowboys. With Driskel no longer eligible for a practice squad elevation this season, he'll require a permanent spot on the active roster to continue suiting up for Houston. According to Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle, head coach Lovie Smith said that he's currently unsure if the team will carry three quarterbacks, though he noted that the team can't let its roster restrictions "stop us from fielding our best 48 players this week." Therefore, it's possible Driskel could play a similar role if Allen is again inactive in Week 15 against Kansas City.

Brown reverted to the Ravens' practice squad Monday.

Brown served as Baltimore's backup quarterback in Week 14 against the Steelers with Lamar Jackson sidelined due to a PCL sprain. However, he was forced into action after starter Tyler Huntley went out with a concussion in the second half. As a result, Brown stepped in for 23 of the team's 61 offensive snaps, completing three of five passes for 16 yards to go along with three carries for minus-5 yards in his NFL debut. While the rookie signal-caller was not asked to do much against Pittsburgh, he's likely next in line to start if Jackson does not return in time for Saturday's game versus Cleveland. Either way, Brown will almost certainly be elevated from the practice squad for the second game in a row Week 15.

Purdy (oblique/ribs) will be listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Per Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Purdy is considered day-to-day as Thursday night's game against the Seahawks approaches. If, however, the 49ers' quick turnaround from Sunday's win over the Buccaneers doesn't allow Purdy enough healing time to face Seattle, Josh Johnson would be next up for the team's QB reps Week 15.