NFL Player News
-
Taylor Heinicke QB | LAC
Commanders' Taylor Heinicke: Makes case to remain starter
Heinicke completed 17 of 29 passes for 211 yards and one interception in Monday's 32-21 win over the Eagles. He added 10 yards on five rushing attempts.
Heinicke's fumble on a strip sack put the Eagles into the red zone less than two minutes into the game, but he recovered nicely and helped the Commanders wear Philadelphia's defense down with methodical drives en route to a 20-14 halftime lead. With Washington clinging to a 23-21 lead early in the fourth, Heinicke committed another costly turnover, throwing an interception in Philadelphia territory, but Washington's defense forced three turnovers after that point to hold on for the win. Heinicke's numbers don't jump off the page, but his ability to minimize mistakes and make throws in big moments has helped him lead the Commanders to a 3-1 record in the absence of Carson Wentz (finger). Wentz will be eligible to return in Week 11 against Houston, but after this win, the Commanders could conceivably opt to stick with Heinicke over a healthy Wentz.
-
Jalen Hurts QB | PHI
Eagles' Jalen Hurts: Undefeated season ends on MNF
Hurts completed 17 of 26 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Monday's 32-21 loss to the Commanders. He added 28 yards and a touchdown on six rushing attempts.
Hurts was involved as a rusher early on, as Philadelphia's first offensive play was a designed quarterback run that went for 12 yards, and he capped the opening drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. His production on the ground tapered off after that though, and the dual-threat quarterback fell short of 30 rushing yards for a fourth consecutive game. Hurts threw a six-yard touchdown to Dallas Goedert on Philadelphia's second possession to restore a seven-point lead before getting picked off on a deep ball on the following drive. Washington gained momentum from the interception and went on to take a 23-14 lead before Hurts' 11-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith pulled Philadelphia back within two. Three Eagles fumbles after that point helped Washington finish off the upset, dropping Philadelphia's record to 8-1 heading into a Week 11 trip to Indianapolis.
-
Aaron Rodgers QB | PIT
Packers' Aaron Rodgers: DNP on practice estimate
Rodgers (thumb) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report.
For the sixth week in a row, Rodgers is enduring practice limitations, although the Packers didn't actually hold a session Monday. He has two more chances to prove his health ahead of Thursday's game against the Titans. Rodgers is coming off one of his most efficient statistical performances of the season, completing 14 of 20 passes for 224 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions during Sunday's 31-28 overtime win over the Cowboys. Assuming he gains clearance to play in Week 11, he's again expected to be without rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs, so Allen Lazard (shoulder), Christian Watson (ankle) and Sammy Watkins would serve as Green Bay's top downfield options.
-
Ryan Tannehill QB | TEN
Titans' Ryan Tannehill: Limited on estimated report
Tannehill (ankle) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
In his return from a two-game absence Sunday against the Broncos, Tannehill played 61 of 62 offensive snaps and attempted a season-high 36 passes in the 17-10 victory. Overall, he racked up 255 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions and also totaled two carries for 12 yards. Tannehill's right ankle sprain continues to bother him afterward, though, so his status will be one to monitor ahead of Thursday's game at Green Bay.
-
Kyler Murray QB | MIN
Cardinals' Kyler Murray: Remains day-to-day
Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that Murray (hamstring) remains day-to-day, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
After not practicing last Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Murray logged back-to-back limited sessions to end Week 10 prep, but he was still sidelined for Sunday's road matchup with the Rams. Colt McCoy drew the start in Murray's absence and was efficient while leading Arizona to a divisional win. Murray's status for Monday's game against San Francisco may become clearer when Arizona releases its initial Week 11 injury report Thursday.
-
Trey Lance QB | LAC
49ers' Trey Lance: Progressing well, loses boot
Lance (ankle) was seen walking without crutches or a medical boot last Thursday as he recovers from surgery to his right fibula, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Lance was placed on injured reserve due to a serious ankle injury back in Week 2, effectively ending his much-anticipated sophomore season. The 2021 first-round pick was seen on the sidelines of Sunday's 22-16 win over the Chargers without a boot or crutches for the first time since his surgery. Lance appears to be progressing well, which bodes well for his prospects of a healthy start to the 2023 season. The 2022 49ers currently are 5-4 under Jimmy Garoppolo -- who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2023 -- so Lance could be handed the keys to a seemingly potent offense next season.
-
D'Eriq King QB | CAR
D'Eriq King: Joins Carolina's practice squad
Carolina signed King to its practice squad Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
King joined the Patriots this offseason as an undrafted free agent, but he was waived in mid-May. The Miami product will get his next NFL opportunity with the Panthers, who've dealt with quarterback controversy all season.
-
Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Panthers' Sam Darnold: Set for backup role with Walker out
Darnold is expected to back up Baker Mayfield against the Ravens on Sunday, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that fellow Panthers quarterback PJ Walker has a high-ankle sprain.
Interim coach Steve Wilks has named Mayfield the Week 11 starter, while Darnold should have the opportunity to dress for the first time this season after beginning the campaign on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain of his own. Mayfield was benched earlier this season, so he could be on a short leash with Darnold waiting in the wings versus Baltimore.
-
Davis Mills QB | HOU
Texans' Davis Mills: Won't get benched for now
Houston head coach Lovie Smith said after Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Giants that he has no immediate plans to remove Mills from the starting role, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports. "I just don't think it's time," Smith said, when asked if he was considering a change at quarterback. "Simple as that. Quarterback position's a little bit different."
Mills threw for a respectable 319 yards in the Week 10 loss, but he's shown signs of regression in 2022 and his job security has been thrown into question as a result. Through nine games, Mills has a lower completion rate than he did as a rookie (62.3 percent versus 66.8 percent) and is fielding a worse passer rating (81.7 versus 88.8). Third downs in particular have been a problem -- Houston has converted just 31 percent -- and the Texans entered Sunday's loss 22nd in touchdown percentage in the red zone. They'll be further down the list after managing just one touchdown in six red-zone trips Sunday, including four in the fourth quarter that resulted in two field goals and two turnovers.
-
P.J. Walker QB | SEA
Panthers' PJ Walker: Out with high-ankle sprain
Coach Steve Wilks said Monday that Walker has a high-ankle sprain and will not play Week 11 versus Baltimore, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Walker will be replaced by Baker Mayfield in the starting lineup Week 11, with Sam Darnold set to operate as the top backup. Wilks said Walker is without a return timetable but won't be placed on IR, per Augusta Stone of the Panthers' official site, an indication that the team is optimistic about his chances of returning to action without having to miss four games. Walker completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yards with no touchdowns during Thursday's win over Atlanta. Steve Reed of the Associated Press confirms that he suffered the injury during the contest but was able to remain on the field.