NFL Player News

The Texans promoted Heinicke to the 53-man roster Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Heinicke will back up T.J. Yates in Sunday's game against the Jaguars with Tom Savage (concussion) unavailable. If Savage recovers from the concussion in time to return for either of the Texans' final two games, Heinicke could be waived in order for Houston to address depth at other positions.

Brissett completed 17 of 30 passes for 158 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Thursday's 25-13 loss to the Broncos. He also rushed five times for 18 yards and a touchdown.

The second-year signal caller was under 200 yards passing for the fourth straight game, and he hasn't managed a completion percentage above 60 percent since Week 9. The high point of Brissett's night came on a seven-yard first-quarter scoring run that capped off a seven-play, 50-yard drive, his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. Brissett's production in the last month has been largely underwhelming from a fantasy perspective, but he offers some solid rushing upside and has impressively limited his interceptions to only seven over 14 games. He'll look to improve his numbers versus the Ravens in Week 16.

Siemian dislocated his shoulder in Thursday's game against the Colts and is expected to miss the final two games of the season, Mike Klis of 9News.com reports.

It's the same shoulder that Siemian underwent surgery on back in January that will likely keep him sidelined for the final two weeks of the season. It will now be up to Brock Osweiler to finish off the year under center, unless Paxton Lynch (ankle) returns to full health in time to compete for the starting role. Look for more updates on the Broncos' quarterback carousel to come next week. Siemian threw for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 10 games before Thursday's contest.

Siemian (shoulder) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game, Patrick Smyth of the Broncos' official site reports.

Siemian took a hard hit from Barkevious Mingo in the first quarter, falling awkwardly on his left shoulder in the process. Before being carted to the locker room, Siemian was five of nine for 67 yards and an interception. Brock Osweiler, who takes over under center, is the only active quarterback left for the Broncos.

Siemian suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Colts and is questionable to return, Patrick Smyth of the Broncos official site reports.

It's the same shoulder Siemian had surgery on back in January and the hit he took did not look promising, as the starting quarterback was carted back to the locker room Thursday night. In his absence, Brock Osweiler will take over under center as the only remaining quarterback on the active roster with Paxton Lynch (ankle) inactive.

Sudfeld will be the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart from this point forward, David George of Eagles' official site reports. "I feel very confident," Sudfeld said about running the offense. "I wasn't just sitting back just watching practice all year expecting to never play football. I was definitely getting ready in case something like this happened because that's my responsibility as a three to be ready to be a two because you're one play away and then one more play away."

Sunday's game against the Giants will be the first time Sudfeld is active for the Eagles this season after being promoted to the active roster on Nov. 1. Sudfeld previously played for the Redskins but was released prior to the start of the regular season. He'll now be next man up behind new starter Nick Foles.

Peterman (concussion) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

After logging only a limited session Wednesday, it's clear Peterman is progressing from the concussion, but he still remains in the protocol. Peterman nonetheless looks like he's in line to gain clearance for contact before Sunday's game against the Dolphins, which would set the stage for him to reprise his normal backup role behind Tyrod Taylor (knee). After practicing fully the last two days, Taylor is on track to return from a one-game absence and start Sunday.

Taylor (knee) practiced again Thursday but coach Sean McDermott would not commit to him as a starter for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports. "We're working that direction. We just got to see. Obviously he's worked more this week than last week, so that's a step in the right direction," said McDermott. "I want to come out tomorrow and see how he does tomorrow."

Fellow quarterback Nathan Peterman remains in concussion protocol and practiced again Thursday around the restrictions that get placed in such situations. The thinking is Taylor will be the guy this week, since McDermott has said all along he's the starter once fully ready to play, but owners should certainly wait for official confirmation following Friday's practice or ahead of Sunday's 1pm ET start time.

As of Thursday, Peterman remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

He's been able to work in a limited fashion, but with fellow QB Tyrod Taylor (knee) practicing fully, Peterman is poised to revert to backup duty if he gains medical clearance in advance of Sunday's game against the Dolphins. In the event that Peterman is unavailable this weekend, Joe Webb would slot in behind Taylor in Week 15.

Jets head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that there isn't a scenario "right now" where Hackenberg plays over the team's final three games, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

With Josh McCown (hand) hitting injured reserve Tuesday, Bryce Petty will take over as the team's starting quarterback in Week 15 against the Saints. Like Hackenberg, Petty is a similarly youthful developmental quarterback who has yet to prove his worth at the NFL level, but based on Bowles' comments, it seems as though Petty has demonstrated enough in practices this season to create clear separation from Hackenberg, who will be active for the first time in 2017 as the backup signal caller. Even if an injury to or poor play from Petty were to open up an opportunity over the final three contests, Hackenberg wouldn't warrant a look outside of deep two-quarterback formats.