NFL Player News

Collier (knee) was activated off the injured reserve list Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The 30-year-old practiced in full throughout last week and is now in line to return following a 13-game absence due to a knee injury. Through 17 appearances in 2024, Collier recorded 29 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. Now fully healthy, he's expected to operate as one of Arizona's top interior defensive linemen in the Week 17 matchup against the Bengals.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that Driskel will serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind starter Josh Johnson during Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

With Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (hand/quad) both ruled out for Thursday's divisional contest, Driskel -- who was signed off the Cardinals' practice squad earlier this week -- will suit up as Johnson's backup. Josh Johnson. Driskel's last NFL action came back in 2024 with Washington, when he played one snap on offense in a Week 2 game against the Giants.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Wednesday that Johnson will start quarterback in Thursday's game against the Cowboys, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Marcus Mariota hasn't been able to practice since sustaining hand and quadriceps injuries in this past Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles and won't be available on a short week, paving the way for the well-traveled Johnson to make his first NFL start since 2021. Over 48 career appearances (nine starts) across 10 different seasons, the 39-year-old Johnson has completed 58.0 percent of his pass attempts for 6.4 yards per attempt and a 13:17 TD:INT. Per Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said that the Commanders have hope that Mariota might be able to return for the Jan. 4 season finale in Philadelphia, so Johnson could be headed back to the No. 2 role in Week 18.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Mariota (hand/quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

With Mariota set to be sidelined due to the pair of injuries he sustained in last Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles, Josh Johnson will be called upon to make his first start since the 2021 season. Meanwhile, newly signed Jeff Driskel will serve as Johnson's backup, and Washington plans to sign Sam Hartman off its practice squad to serve as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback, per John Keim of ESPN.com. According to Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said he still has hope that Mariota will be able to return for the Commanders' Jan. 4 regular-season finale in Philadelphia, though Mariota's availability will hinge on what he's able to do in practice next week.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Tuesday that Oladokun will start at quarterback for the Chiefs in Thursday's game against the Broncos, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.

Kansas City will be breaking in its third starting quarterback in as many games, with Oladokun getting his chance after Patrick Mahomes (knee) suffered season-ending ACL and LCL tears in Week 15 and after Gardner Minshew (knee) went down with a season-ending tibial plateau fracture in Week 16. A 2022 seventh-round draft pick, Oladokun ended up seeing his first extended NFL snaps in relief of Minshew in last Sunday's 26-9 loss to the Titans, completing 11 of 16 pass attempts for 111 yards while adding seven yards on two carries. Oladokun doesn't profile as a recommended option in fantasy lineups for Week 17 while he makes his first NFL start against one of the league's top defenses and potentially without the services of top wideout Rashee Rice (concussion), who has yet to practice this week and appears likely to sit out Thursday.

Interim head coach Mike McCoy told reporters Wednesday that Harris (knee) won't play for the remainder of the season, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

The 24-year-old sustained a knee injury in Tennessee's Week 16 win over the Chiefs that will now sideline him for the rest of the year. Harris, a 2025 sixth-round pick from California, had an impressive rookie season, recording 28 total tackles, five passes defensed and one forced fumble across 14 appearances. Kaiir Elam and Micah Robinson will both likely have expanded roles in the Titans' secondary while Harris is sidelined.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Hughes (ankle) probably won't play Monday against the Rams, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Hughes therefore seems set to miss his second straight game due to the ankle injury he suffered against Tampa Bay in Week 15. Rookie Cobee Bryant saw more work at cornerback this past Sunday against Arizona, as did veteran C.J. Henderson. Both could again have a defensive role if Hughes indeed sits out against Los Angeles.

Coach Shane Steichen noted Wednesday that Richardson (orbital) won't be activated from IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Steichen previously confirmed that Philip Rivers will draw the start at QB for the 8-7 Colts on Sunday. With Richardson not slated to come off IR in advance of Week 17 action, Riley Leonard will continue to back up Rivers this weekend.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday that Baker is in concussion protocol following Sunday's 26-19 loss to the Falcons, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Despite playing 68 defensive snaps and recording 10 total tackles and one pass defensed in the Week 16 loss, the 29-year-old appears to have sustained a concussion. Baker must clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to play in the Week 17 matchup against the Bengals. If he's unable to suit up Sunday, expect Kitan Crawford to start at free safety.

Williams tore his Achilles in Week 16 against Atlanta, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

This confirms the initial fear after Williams had to be carted off the field Sunday versus the Falcons. Williams was placed on IR on Tuesday and now faces a lengthy recovery. Kei'Trel Clark may move into a starting cornerback role for the final two games of the regular season.