NFL Player News

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Wilson will remain the No. 2 quarterback behind new starter Quinn Ewers during Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, while Tua Tagovailoa will act as the emergency No. 3 quarterback, Alain Poupart of SI.com reports.

Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with Miami this offseason and has acted as the team's backup quarterback for almost all of the 2025 campaign, but it's Ewers, a rookie seventh-round pick, who has looked more impressive at practice and now gets the starting nod with Tagovailoa benched. That said, Ewers likely won't have much margin for error if he struggles to move the offense early, so it's not inconceivable that Wilson gets a chance to show what he can do under center across the course of the Dolphins' final three regular-season games.

Barkley (stinger) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.

Barkley was held out of Tuesday's walk-through session due to the stinger he picked up during Philadelphia's blowout win over the Raiders in Week 15, so it's encouraging to see him back on the practice field. The veteran running back has scored in back-to-back games and handled 20 or more carries in four of six games since the Eagles' bye, and he's set for a favorable matchup against Washington's vulnerable run defense Saturday. If he's able to upgrade to full practice reps Thursday, Barkley could avoid an injury designation entirely for Week 16.

Matlock played 36 of the Chargers' 66 snaps on offense and recorded two catches for nine yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Chiefs.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, Matlock began his career as a defensive lineman but has played primarily as a fullback since Jim Harbaugh took over as the Chargers' head coach in 2024. He's typically been deployed mainly as a lead blocker and pass protector, but Matlock ended up seeing a couple of short-yardage targets from quarterback Justin Herbert in Sunday's win. Matlock's last reception had come back in Week 9, when he hauled in a two-yard pass for his first NFL touchdown in a 27-20 win over the Titans.

Fields (knee) won't start Sunday's game at New Orleans but could be active as the backup if he's healthy, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Brady Cook will start, with the backup situation apparently depending on who of Fields or Tyrod Taylor (knee) is healthier.

Heyward carried four times for four yards and a touchdown in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

A hybrid fullback/tight end who had logged just eight touches through the Steelers' first 13 games of the season, Heyward was surprisingly called upon for direct snaps on all four occasions he was on the field for the Pittsburgh offense in Monday's win. After extending drives in the first and second quarters on a pair of 4th-and-1 conversions, Heyward then found paydirt on a 3rd-and-goal carry with 17 seconds left in the first half to give Pittsburgh its first points of the night. The touchdown was the second of the season for Heyward, who previously recorded a 12-yard receiving score in a Week 6 win over the Browns.

Jackson missed Wednesday's practice due to flu-like symptoms, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn't sound too concerned, but it's perhaps worth noting that Jackson has missed an unusual amount of time (mostly practices) due to illnesses throughout his career. The good news for Baltimore is that Jackson got sick early in the week, giving him at least four full days to recover before the Ravens face the Patriots on Sunday night.

Davis (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

The third-year pro was sidelined for the Week 15 win over the Chiefs due to an ankle injury, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he's still dealing with the issue. Davis likely needs to upgrade to at least limited practice Thursday or Friday to play in the Week 16 matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday.

Taylor (groin) won't start Sunday's game at New Orleans but could be active as the backup if he's healthy, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn named Brady Cook as his Week 16 starter, with the backup situation depending on injuries to Taylor and Justin Fields (knee). Either way, Taylor isn't assured of seeing the field again this season.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Mickens (shoulder) won't practice Wednesday and "could miss time," Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie safety from Clemson exited the Week 15 win over the Chiefs with a shoulder injury, and it appears that issue could sideline him further. Mickens' practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Hudson recorded three catches for 16 yards on five targets in Sunday's 24-0 loss to the Ravens.

The three receptions were one shy of matching a season-high total for Hudson, who took the field for 19 of the team's 43 offensive snaps. Though Hudson has demonstrated some solid pass-catching chops when he's on the field, he's still no better than the second or third receiving option at the position behind Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant, the latter of whom exited Sunday with an ankle injury. The Bengals also continue to keep Drew Sample involved on offense as a blocking specialist, which typically leaves few snaps left over for Hudson.