NFL Player News

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that he's "totally certain" the Ravens will sign Jackson (concussion) to an extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While his 2020 campaign wasn't nearly as impressive as his MVP effort in 2019, the 24-year-old quarterback led Baltimore to the playoffs for a third straight year, improving his record to 30-9-0 as a starter in the regular season. Jackson's status as a first-round pick allows the Ravens to extend his rookie contract through 2022 with a fifth-year option, which means the extension Harbaugh is promising may not actually get done until next year. Rapoport relays that the team will at least start those conversations this offseason.

Mahomes (concussion/toe) handled all the first-team snaps during the Chiefs' practice session Wednesday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

It isn't clear if the Chiefs will list Mahomes as a full or limited participant on their first practice report of the week, which will be released later Wednesday. Either way, Mahomes' availability for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills will depend on his ability to clear the concussion protocol, rather than his practice participation throughout the week. He's also listed with a toe injury, but it isn't believed to threaten his availability for Sunday.

Mahomes (concussion/toe) is expected to practice Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Schefter notes that Mahomes cleared "some big steps" Monday, but the quarterback -- who is also dealing with a toe injury -- is still in the NFL's concussion protocol at this stage. While Mahomes' toe issue is being downplayed by head coach Andy Reid, the star signal-caller's status for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills has yet to be solidified. If Mahomes isn't cleared for the contest, Chad Henne would start at quarterback for Kansas City in his place.

Siemian signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Siemian served as the emergency backup quarterback for the Titans and Saints in 2020. The Northwestern product last played meaningful snaps in 2017 when he completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,285 yards (6.5YPA), 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over 11 games with the Broncos. With Drew Brees set to retire, Siemian could secure a backup role behind Taysom Hill (knee) or Jameis Winston in 2021.

Though Mahomes cleared "some big steps" Monday, he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

While that's a step in the right direction for the star QB, Schefter notes that "it's too early to say" that Mahomes will "definitely" be cleared to play in Sunday's AFC Championship game. Further context with regard to Mahomes' progress will arrive no later than Wednesday, once Kansas City re-takes the practice field.

Brissett and fellow Colts QB Philip Rivers both can become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

With Rivers healthy for the entire 2020 campaign, Brissett's main contribution to the Colts was subbing in for some short-yardage plays. He scored three short rushing TDs and attempted just eight passes, never really getting a chance to rebound from his disappointing performance over 15 starts in 2019. While he's unlikely to find a team that wants him in a starting role, Brissett should at least be recognized as one of the better backup QBs, and he might even be a fallback plan for the Colts if Rivers isn't brought back.

Mariota could be released this offseason, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Mariota is scheduled for a non-guaranteed $10.625 million base salary in 2021 in the second season of his two-year contract. The Raiders might be interested in keeping him around as a backup QB, but probably not at that price. Mariota played well in his one 2020 appearance, piling up 226 passing yards, 88 rushing yards and two total TDs in a 30-27 loss to the Chargers in Week 15. He otherwise spent the season on the bench behind Derek Carr, who threw for 300 yards four times in the final five weeks.

It isn't clear Minshew has a future with the Jaguars, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Minshew went 1-7 as a starter in his second NFL season, though his passing stats -- 66.1 completion percentage, 6.9 YPA, 16:5 TD:INT -- show a degree of competence that wasn't matched by fellow Jaguars quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Jake Luton. The team is now expected to draft Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, potentially leaving Minshew to compete with Luton for the backup job. The Jaguars figure to explore trade opportunities this offseason, so it's possible the 2019 sixth-round pick ends up on a new team for his third NFL campaign.

Huntley signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens on Monday.

After Lamar Jackson suffered a head injury in Saturday's divisional-round playoff game, Huntley stepped in and was a critical component of the team. The quarterback was able to complete six of 13 pass attempts for 60 yards and had three rushes for 32 yards. While the team won't advance to the next round of playoffs, Huntley managed to earn himself another chance with the team. The 2020 undrafted rookie will compete with 2019 fourth-round pick Trace McSorley for slotting at QB for the Ravens.

Coach Andy Reid said Monday that Mahomes (concussion) will "be OK" in reference to his toe injury, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mahomes was evaluated in the medical tent due to a toe injury in the first quarter of the AFC divisional-round win over the Browns, but he managed to tough out the issue before later suffering a concussion in the third quarter. Reid responded with less direct optimism when asked about Mahomes' chances of being able to practice prior to Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, saying "that's for [the medical staff] to decide," per Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star. In order to suit up against Buffalo, Mahomes will first need to clear the league's five-step protocol for concussions, the final phase of which includes meeting with an independent neurologist, but it sounds like he'll at least have his mobility intact if given the green light to play.