NFL Player News

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel suggested Tuesday that he's considering benching Tagovailoa for the team's Week 16 game against the Bengals, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports. "The quarterback play last night was not good enough," McDaniel said. "So for me, everything is on the table."

Tagovailoa turned in another uneven performance in Monday's 28-15 loss to the Steelers, completing 22 of 28 attempts for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The two scores came in garbage time, and he also lost 31 yards on four sacks and was intercepted on a deep ball intended for Jaylen Waddle midway through the first quarter. Prior to Monday's loss, the Dolphins had been riding a four-game winning streak, but the team's recent success was largely due to a potent De'Von Achane-led ground attack and an improved defense. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, posted a 3:3 TD:INT and threw for under 200 yards in each of those contests. With Monday's loss ending the Dolphins' long-shot bid for the playoffs, McDaniel is exploring a change at quarterback, with Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers looming as possible alternatives. McDaniel said he expects to reach a final decision on a Week 16 starter by Wednesday, and even if Tagovailoa retains the job, the mere consideration of a quarterback change suggests that the 27-year-old may not be viewed as the franchise's long-term answer. Tagovailoa is in the first season of a four-year, $212.4 million extension, and the Dolphins would have to absorb a $79.2 million dead-cap hit in order to get out from under his contract before 2027.

The Jets waived Martinez from the practice squad Tuesday, Susanna Weir of the team's official site reports.

Martinez was signed to the practice squad and elevated to the active roster in Week 15 to serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Brady Cook. The quarterback's waiving signals that at least one of either Tyrod Taylor (groin) or Justin Fields (knee) will be available for Sunday's game against the Saints. Martinez will now be placed on waivers and, if he clears, will become a free agent.

Rodgers completed 23 of 27 pass attempts for 224 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

Rodgers turned back the clock on Monday Night Football and put on a passing display reminiscent of his heydays in Green Bay. The 41-year-old completed a season-high 85 percent of his attempts in the decisive victory, while hurling multiple touchdown passes for the first time since Week 8 against the Packers -- coincidentally. Rodgers has strung together a pair of strong fantasy outings in favorable matchups, and he'll have another opportunity to produce a third against the Lions' 24th-ranked pass defense in Week 16.

Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 253 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding one rush for one yard in the Dolphins' 28-15 loss to the Steelers on Monday.

Tagovailoa's final line was certainly useful from a fantasy perspective, considering his passing yardage total was his fourth highest of the season and his multi-touchdown tally was his first in the last four games. He connected with Darren Waller for both of his scoring tosses (six and 13 yards), although both, along with the majority of Tagovailoa's yardage, came in the fourth quarter with the game essentially out of reach. Tagovailoa had failed to reach the 200-yard mark through the air in four straight games before Monday, but he could once again compile some fantasy-friendly numbers in a Week 16 home matchup against the Bengals on Sunday.

Mahomes underwent surgery to repair his torn left ACL and LCL on Monday.

Mahomes was in Dallas on Monday to get a second opinion on his knee injury. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Mahomes tore the LCL in addition to the ACL in his left knee, making recovery potentially more complicated. The Chiefs noted that Mahomes' rehab will begin immediately, but a timeline for his return to the field has not been announced. Gardner Minshew will serve as the Chiefs' starter for the rest of the 2025 season.

Martinez reverted to the Jets' practice squad Monday.

Martinez was elevated from the practice squad for Week 15 and served as the backup to starting quarterback Brady Cook in Sunday's 48-20 loss to the Jaguars while Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) were unavailable. Martinez can still be elevated two more times this season.

Ehlinger reverted to the Broncos' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Ehlinger was elevated from the Broncos' practice squad Saturday. He was a healthy inactive during Denver's 34-26 win over Green Bay on Sunday, during which starter Bo Nix played every single offensive snap while Jarrett Stidham served as the backup. Ehlinger is eligible to be elevated to the active roster twice more during the regular season.

Howard (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback Monday against the Dolphins, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Howard will be the Steelers' emergency QB3 for a third consecutive week, which means he is prohibited from playing Monday unless both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph were to be taken out of the game due to injury, illness or ejection.

Ewers (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Steelers but will serve as the Dolphins' emergency third quarterback.

Ewers will handle his usual role as Miami's emergency third-string quarterback, meaning he will only be eligible to take the field Monday if both Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson are forced out of the game. The only snaps Ewers has taken during the regular season thus far came Week 7 against the Browns.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Burrow will start the team's remaining three regular-season games despite having been eliminated from playoff contention, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor dismissed the notion that Cincinnati might consider sitting Burrow to preserve his health, in spite of the fact that the team's 24-0 loss to Baltimore in Week 15 closed the door on any chances of a playoff berth. "We want to win," Taylor said. Burrow missed nine games due to a turf toe injury before returning to action on Thanksgiving Day, when he earned a win against the Ravens, but the Bengals then lost to the Bills before he struggled mightily during the team's most recent matchup against Baltimore. He'll work to both close out the year strong and avoid any injuries during Cincinnati's next three matchups, beginning Sunday on the road against Miami.