NFL Player News

Winston (shoulder) finished the 2024 season having completed 181 of 296 pass attempts for 2,212 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while carrying 25 times for 83 yards and a touchdown in 12 appearances. He also lost two fumbles.

Winston injected life into the Cleveland passing attack after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Week 7, but the short-term boost eventually wore off. A three-game stretch in which he threw eight interceptions -- including multiple pick-sixes -- ended Winston's run as the starter by Week 16. He ended up being inactive as the emergency No. 3 quarterback for the final three games of the season due to a right shoulder injury, but the issue doesn't seem serious and enabled the Browns to turn the offense over to younger signal-callers in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe down the stretch. Winston will enter the offseason as a free agent and could draw interest as a backup quarterback, though he's unlikely to find a team willing to enter the 2025 season with him as its starter, even as a bridge to a rookie or second-year signal-caller.

Willis was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a right thumb injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Willis joined No. 1 quarterback Jordan Love with a cap on his reps to begin the week, but the former's health concern wasn't known before Wednesday, while the latter's right elbow issue has been the dominant talking point as Green Bay prepares for Sunday's wild-card contest at Philadelphia. The Packers seem to have hope that Love will be able to suit up this weekend, but Willis could be tasked with filling in again of Love doesn't make it all the way back. In his seven appearances (two starts) for the team this season, Willis has completed 40 of 54 passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried 20 times for 138 yards and another touchdown while losing his only fumble.

Pickett (ribs) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol but was the first quarterback to go through drills during Wednesday's practice. Pickett likely will be healthy enough to play this Sunday against Green Bay, but the Eagles hope he'll only be needed for a backup role and not as a replacement for Hurts.

Hurts (concussion/left finger) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

Despite not practicing prior to absences Weeks 17 and 18 due to a concussion suffered Week 16, Hurts reportedly was making progress through the five-step protocol, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. During the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media, Hurts was seen warming up, throwing passes and taking part in agility drills, and Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer also noted that Hurts also was the first quarterback in positional drills ahead of Kenny Pickett (ribs) and Tanner McKee. With an official limited listing to begin the week, Hurts still has some work to do to gain clearance from an independent neurologist ahead of Sunday's wild-card contest versus the Packers, but he's at least put himself on a path to do so.

Daniels (leg) practiced fully Wednesday.

Daniels didn't take the field after halftime of this past Sunday's win at Dallas, and head coach Dan Quinn told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post afterward that leg soreness was the reason for the rookie quarterback's early exit. On Monday, Quinn added that he was "not concerned" about the issue, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site, and Daniels' ability to handle every practice rep Wednesday confirms as much. Daniels thus is set to start Sunday's wild-card contest at Tampa Bay, against whom he managed 184 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions on 17-for-24 passing and 16 carries for 88 yards and two scores back in Week 1.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Love (elbow) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Love made an early departure from this past Sunday's loss to the Bears with an elbow injury that resulted in a loss of feeling in his right hand. He was able to take part in Wednesday's team stretch and warmups, and in the ensuing practice outside that was closed to the media, he was able to throw, as LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Love later mentioned to Schneidman that he doesn't have any lingering numbness in his hand but does have soreness in his elbow, which was the reason for his limited listing. Love's activity level Thursday and Friday likely will be key for his ability to suit up for Sunday's wild-card game in Philadelphia.

Love (elbow) took part in Wednesday's team stretch and warmups before the Packers went outside for practice, the latter of which was closed to the media, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Love banged his right elbow early in the second quarter of this past Sunday's loss to the Bears, and while he was seen throwing multiple times on the sideline, he wasn't able to return to the game. Head coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic afterward that Love lost feeling in his right throwing hand as a result of the play, and LaFleur then said Monday that the quarterback is "going to be OK," but was unsure how much he would be able to handle in practice as Green Bay prepares for Sunday's wild-card game at Philadelphia, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Wednesday's injury report will reveal Love's activity level to begin the week.

Brissett finished the 2024 regular season with 95 completions on 161 passing attempts for 826 yards, with two TDs and an interception in eight games.

Brissett, who added 15 carries for 62 yards in that span, went 1-4 while starting the Patriots' first five games of the season until rookie first-rounder Drake Maye took over. The veteran QB is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but it's possible he could remain with New England in 2025 in a backup capacity. That said, the team may opt to roll with 2024 sixth-rounder Joe Milton as Maye's top backup, and in that scenario Brissett would become an option for another team looking for a respected and experienced No. 2 signal-caller.

Hurts (concussion/finger) is slated to participate in Wednesday's practice, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hurts is working his way through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in an effort to gain full clearance in time for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Packers. Returning to practice Wednesday as even a limited participant would represent a significant step in the right direction. In addition to gaining clearance for full contact, Hurts will also need to receive the green light to play from an independent neurologist before being removed from the protocol.

Mariota completed 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Cowboys. He added 56 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries.

Mariota played the entire second half of the contest in Week 18, filling in after rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (leg) was removed from the game as a precaution. The veteran QB played well, leading the Commanders on a touchdown drive immediately after entering the game. With Daniels' injury apparently not serious, it appears that Mariota will return to backup duties when the Commanders visit the Buccaneers for a wild-card round matchup Sunday.