NFL Player News

The Colts plan to have Leonard start at quarterback in Sunday's season finale at Houston, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

With the Colts getting eliminated from playoff contention last weekend, 44-year-old Philip Rivers will head to the bench as head coach Shane Steichen turns the offense over to Leonard. A rookie sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, Leonard has made four appearances this season, with his lone extended action coming in Week 14 at Jacksonville after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Leonard has completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 145 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions this season while adding six yards and a score on three carries. Though he likely isn't seen as the Colts' long-term answer at quarterback, a strong showing in Week 18 could strengthen his case for sticking around as a backup option in 2026.

Jackson caught two of three targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

Jackson played just eight offensive snaps in his fourth game of the season, but he managed to earn three targets while providing depth at wide receiver behind Tre Tucker, Dont'e Thornton and Tyler Lockett, while Jack Bech was sidelined for Sunday's contest due to a back injury. However, Jackson's already limited role could disappear if Bech manages to return for a Week 18 tilt against the Chiefs.

Thornton caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

Thornton filled the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker with fellow rookie Jack Bech (back) sidelined for Sunday's contest, but Thornton averaged just 3.0 yards per target while playing 78 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps. If Bech manages to return for a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, Thornton's involvement could diminish.

White rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

White suited up for the first time since Week 5 with Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee) sidelined Sunday, but White ultimately handled just one offensive touch while rookie Ashton Jeanty took 16 carries for 60 yards to go along with a pair of receptions. Fellow running back Dylan Laube was restricted to a special-teams role, so White could serve as the Raiders' RB2 again in Week 18 if Mostert remains out.

Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Stingley and other starters will play Week 18 if healthy with the AFC South title still attainable, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stingley has dealt with an oblique injury the last two games but suited up in each, playing a combined 98 percent of the defensive snaps. Houston can claim a third consecutive division title with a win and a Jacksonville loss. It could also slip to as low as seventh with a loss to the Colts on Sunday. If Stingley plays Week 18, it will be a second consecutive full regular season for the fourth-year cornerback, who missed a combined 14 games in his first two NFL campaigns.

Schwesinger played through a thigh injury in Sunday's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Schwesinger was clearly hobbled by the injury but was never removed from the game. The rookie linebacker played all 66 snaps on defense and another five on special teams. His nine tackles tied for team high and upped his season total to a team-leading 156 over 16 games. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Schwesinger is rehabbing and progressing in preparation for Sunday's season finale against the Bengals.

Johnson secured both of his targets for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Johnson managed to record multiple receptions for the first time since Week 12 despite logging 11 snaps on offense (16 percent), his lowest volume since Week 1. With four healthy and more experienced receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, even Sunday's modest stat line can be considered a success for Johnson, who projects to remain in a deep reserve role for a critical Week 18 regular-season finale against the Panthers that could decide the NFC South.

Parkinson corralled six of seven targets for 53 yards in Monday's 27-24 loss to the Falcons.

Parkinson bounced back nicely from a two-catch stinker against his former club in last Thursday's loss to the Seahawks. The 26-year-old did have to watch backup TE Terrance Ferguson (2-54-1) vulture a touchdown for the second week in a row, but Parkinson's larger target share makes him the preferred fantasy option. Parkinson will look to add to career-best marks of 39 receptions, 372 yards and six touchdowns against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Smith had four receptions (on six targets) for 67 yards while returning three punts for 23 yards in Monday's 27-24 loss to Atlanta.

Smith was shockingly the game's leading receiver in a Monday Night Football matchup that featured star receivers Puka Nacua and Drake London. The 27-year-old Smith's six targets were the most he has seen in a pro game to date. The return specialist was the biggest beneficiary of WR Davante Adams' (hamstring) absence after Tutu Atwell and Konata Mumpfield were held to two catches for 10 yards combined in Monday's loss. Smith appears to be the backup most likely to step up behind Nacua if Adams remains sidelined against Arizona on Sunday for the final game of the regular season.

Stafford completed 22 of 38 pass attempts for 269 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in Monday's 27-24 loss to the Falcons.

Stafford's red-hot play came to a screeching halt with a trio of interceptions thrown (one of them a pick-six) in a surprising loss to the now 7-9 Falcons on Monday Night Football in Week 17. The 37-year-old was bailed out from committing a fourth turnover in the fourth quarter when an offsides penalty committed by an uninvolved defender erased a strip fumble recovery for Atlanta. Stafford showed his resiliency by overcoming his personal follies and nearly mounting a comeback from a 21-0 deficit at halftime. The MVP candidate certainly hurt his bid by having his worst game of the season in front of a national audience, but he will get an opportunity to redeem himself against the Cardinals on Sunday. Head coach Sean McVay stated after the loss that he plans on playing Stafford and the rest of his healthy starters Week 18, according to Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site.