NFL Player News

Texans quarterback Case Keenum managed to avoid being benched for a second straight game Week 12 vs. Jacksonville, but his struggles persisted in a surprising 13-6 loss. Keenum completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards and one interception in the loss.

Keenum struggled from the start Sunday. He completed just 3 of 6 passes for 19 yards in the first quarter and was 5 of 12 for 32 yards by halftime.

Keenum got off to a better start after halftime, leading the Texans on a 13-play, 83-yard scoring drive on the opening series in the second half, which ended with a field goal. Keenum came close to throwing a touchdown on third down from the 2-yard line, but his pass was just a bit out of DeAndre Hopkins' reach near the sideline in the end zone.

Unfortunately, Keenum would lead no more scoring drives before throwing an interception on the final drive as Houston was going for the tying score. Though, the interception wasn't his fault. He threw a clean pass to Keshawn Martin, who bobbled the catch and it deflected to a Jaguars' defender.

"For whatever reason, I was out of my rhythm. Just had bad fundamentals, was hesitant," Keenum said. "I'm very disappointed in myself for letting everybody down in that locker room. I didn't make the plays."

Keenum has just one touchdown pass in his last two games after getting six in his previous two games. The Texans are back in action Week 13 vs. New England.

Matthew Stafford was like two quarterbacks for the Lions on Sunday. One was Jekyll. The other was Hyde.

The good Stafford threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns. The bad Stafford fired four interceptions, his highest total since November 2011. Included was one with a minute left in the game that allowed the Buccaneers to run out the clock.

Stafford performed far better in the first half, including a second quarter stretch in which he completed seven straight passes for 92 yards and a score. He came out hot in the third quarter by hitting 4 of 5 for 56 yards and a touchdown on an early drive, but fizzled in a scoreless fourth.

He will try not to play like a turkey on Thanksgiving when the Lions host Green Bay.

The Giants have made QB Ryan Nassib, CB Corey Webster, RB Peyton Hillis, OL Dallas Reynolds, DT Markus Kuhn, TE Adrien Robinson and WR Hakeem Nicks inactive Week 12 against the Cowboys.

Nicks was questionable heading into the game, but expected to play. Webster was the only player ruled out on Friday's injury report.

Packers tackle Don Barclay (knee), linebacker Nick Perry (foot, ankle), quarterback Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), defensive end Johnny Jolly (groin), Sam Shields (hamstring), wide receiver Chris Harper and linebacker Nate Palmer were among the team's inactives Week 12 vs. Minnesota.

The Chargers have made QB Brad Sorensen, SS Brandon Taylor, LB Jarret Johnson, OT King Dunlap, DL Kwame Geathers, WR Lavelle Hawkins and OT Willie Smith inactive Week 12 against the Chiefs.

Johnson had hand surgery, and came into the game doubtful. He and Dunlop are the two starters expected to miss the game. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out Week 12 against the Vikings. 

Rodgers has been out with a fractured collarbone, and was unable to practice this week. Rodgers said he'll need at least two days of practice before he's able to play in a game again. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was unable to practice Friday.

The news shouldn't come as a big surprise, as Rodgers was expected to miss a few weeks after fracturing his collarbone. Rodgers said he would have to practice two straight days in order to play. In order to have played Week 12, Rodgers would have had to practice Friday. He's expected to be listed as out on the team's official injury report.

The inconsistency that has defined the rookie season of Jets quarterback Geno Smith has also defined the entire year for his team, which has switched from victory to defeat since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg spoke about how Smith needs to help himself and requires help from his teammates and coaches.

"We all have to help the quarterback," he told ESPN. "For a quarterback to play well takes an awful lot of things, so we've got to help him more, starting with me. ... Man alive, I'd like to see him play better than he did last week. He's got to do that."

Smith bottomed out in Week 11 against Buffalo by completing just 8 of 23 passes for 103 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He has just eight touchdowns and 16 picks on the season.

The Panthers' defensive backfield was supposed to be a weakness this season, but opposing quarterbacks have largely been unable to take advantage of them this season. That is unlikely to change in Week 12, when Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill tries to take them on.

The Panthers have held opposing quarterbacks to a league-low 10.6 Fantasy points per game, and they have handled much better quarterbacks than Tannehill so far. Tom Brady had just 15 Fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 11, for instance, while Matt Ryan and Colin Kaepernick combined for just 10 in the two prior games.

Tannehill has yet to face the Panthers in his career, so we don't have a track record against this opponent to go on. Still, he ranks just 18th among quarterbacks in Fantasy scoring this season, so we shouldn't expect much. He is a risky play for Week 12 against the Panthers' tough defense.  

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still unsure when he'll return from his injury, according to Packers.com.

Rodgers said he has not been X-rayed since his initial scan. He added that in order to play in a game, he would have to be on the practice field for at least two days. Rodgers admitted it's been tough to deal with this type of injury. "This is a tough injury to deal with, because it’s not like you can tough through this or gut it out, which I’ve done with various other injuries throughout my career," Rodgers said. He has not given a timetable for his return.