NFL Player News

Ward won't return to Sunday's game against the Jaguars after sustaining a right shoulder injury.

Prior to his exit from the contest, Ward completed all three of his pass attempts for 52 yards and carried twice for 11 yards and a TD. In his absence, Brandon Allen has taken over the Titans' Week 18 QB duties.

Ward suffered a right shoulder injury during Sunday's game at Jacksonville, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

Ward led a five-play, 58-yard scoring march that he capped off with a seven-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter, but he then was examined on the sideline before going to the locker room, from which the Titans deemed him questionable to return. Brandon Allen will lead Tennessee's offense for as long as Ward is off the field.

Rypien (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Rypien was the emergency third quarterback for the Vikings in their Week 17 win over the Lions, but with the return of starter J.J. McCarthy, the QB no longer has a game-day role. John Wolford will be Sunday's emergency third quarterback.

Wolford (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Vikings' emergency third quarterback against the Packers on Sunday.

Wolford will only be able to enter Sunday's game if both J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.

Rivers is inactive for Sunday's season finale against the Texans.

With Rivers inactive, Riley Leonard is slated to start Sunday's contest, with Seth Henigan set to serve as his backup. Rivers started the Colts' previous three games, but with the team out of playoff contention, the veteran quarterback will be kept out of harm's way in Week 18.

Rattler (finger) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Rattler continues to deal with a thumb injury to his throwing hand and will be in street clothes for the Saints' regular-season finale. Rattler started the first eight games of the season, completing 68 percent of his passes for 1,586 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. However, he was benched in favor of Tyler Shough, who has outperformed expectations thus far, leaving Rattler's future with New Orleans uncertain.

Browning (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Cleveland and will work as Cincinnati's emergency third quarterback.

This has become a familiar role for Browning, as he's been the Bengals' emergency third QB every week since late November. In order for Browning to enter Sunday's contest, both Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco would have to exit due to injury, illness or ejection.

Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday at Minnesota, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

After Jordan Love cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, Willis entered the weekend as Green Bay's least healthy quarterback on the active roster, but the team opted not to elevate Desmond Ridder from the practice squad Saturday, meaning Love and Willis were the potential No. 2 options behind Week 18 starter Clayton Tune. Love will get that honor Sunday, while Willis will be in street clothes as he tends to right shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Love is listed as active Sunday in Minnesota, and he'll serve as the No. 2 QB behind starter Clayton Tune with Malik Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) inactive, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Love cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, and at the same time coach Matt LaFleur announced that Tune would be Green Bay's starter under center for Week 18. After the team chose not to elevate Desmond Ridder from the practice squad Saturday, Love and Willis remained as the considerations for backup duties Sunday. Love's name was called over Willis, perhaps due to Willis still tending to right shoulder and hamstring injuries. Love thus has a chance for his first game action since the second quarter of a Week 16 loss at Chicago.

Cousins was added to the Falcons' injury report due to an illness but won't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Saints and will be available to start at quarterback, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Cousins was a full participant in practice throughout the week, but he may be operating at something less than 100 percent heading into the season finale after coming down with an illness. More so than the ailment, however, Cousins' fantasy prospects could be hindered by the prospect of some of his top pass catchers being less than fully healthy. Though wideouts Drake London (knee) and Darnell Mooney (knee) and tight end Kyle Pitts (knee) are active Sunday, all were listed as questionable heading into the weekend and were limited in the Falcons' final Week 18 practice. As such, it's possible that any or all three players could have their reps managed to some degree, given that the 7-9 Falcons are eliminated from playoff contention and have little on the line in the season finale.