NFL Player News

O'Connell (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing fully this week.

Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, head coach Antonio Pierce noted earlier Friday that O'Connell "should be good to go" and start Sunday versus Jacksonville. With the QB subsequently maintaining his full participation level and avoiding a Week 16 injury designation, O'Connell is poised to return the lineup after being inactive for this past Monday's loss to the Falcons, a game started by Desmond Ridder.

Tagovailoa (hip) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa opened Week 16 prep with back-to-back limited practices due to a hip injury, but offensive coordinator Frank Smith told Furones on Thursday that the quarterback's health wasn't a concern. Indeed, Tagovailoa capped the week with a full session Friday, paving the way for him to continue to direct the Dolphins offense. Having said that, he likely will be working with a depleted receiving corps Sunday, as Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) is listed as questionable, while both Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (knee) are doubtful to suit up.

Levis (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Levis was added to the injury report Friday, getting in a limited session. Coach Brian Callahan already had announced Mason Rudolph as the team's starting quarterback for Week 16 against the Colts. Trevor Siemian is on the practice squad as a candidate to be elevated should Levis be unable to serve as the team's QB2 this weekend.

Carr (hand) isn't practicing Friday, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Carr is considered unlikely to play Monday at Green Bay, but Saints coach Darren Rizzi hasn't ruled the QB out and recently pushed back on the notion of Carr being shut down for the rest of the season. Rizzi said Carr likely would need to practice Saturday to have a chance to start Monday night.

Smith (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Smith was unable to finish Sunday's loss to the Packers but has been a full practice participant throughout the week. While it's possible his mobility is affected, he'll make another start Sunday versus the Vikings.

Winston (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Winston has lost his gig as the Browns' starter, but coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Winston could still potentially be the backup to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, according to Oyesfusi. If Winston doesn't get cleared for the QB2 role, Bailey Zappe will handle those duties.

Burrow (right wrist/knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Though Burrow was limited at practice this week, head coach Zac Taylor relayed that the QB's continued limitations Friday were precautionary, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer notes. Meanwhile, wideout Tee Higgins (knee) -- whose practice reps also were managed this week -- also is cleared for Week 16 action, with Taylor having noted Friday that there is no concern about the duo's workload versus Cleveland, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Burrow heads into the weekend leading the NFL in both passing yards (3,977) and passing TDs (36).

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Friday that Young will be the team's starting quarterback for the rest of the season, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Young has played much better since retaking the starting role in November, but he's coming off a four-turnover performance in a 30-14 loss to Dallas. The Panthers apparently will continue starting him for the final three games even if he struggles, with an injury perhaps being the exception that would get Andy Dalton back on the field. Carolina hosts Arizona this Sunday.

DeVito cleared concussion protocol and will be the Giants' No. 2 QB for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.

Drew Lock (heel) returned to full practice participation earlier in the week and has been named as the Week 16 starter. Lock's absence allowed DeVito to start this past Sunday's eventual 35-14 loss to the Ravens, with Tim Boyle then taking over for the second half after DeVito got concussed.

Herbert completed 23 of 31 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday night. He also rushed eight times for 28 yards and threw a two-point conversion pass.

Herbert put together a mostly crisp performance that saw him generate his highest passing yardage total since Week 11. The 2020 first-round pick brought the Chargers back from an 11-point third-quarter deficit, connecting with Derius Davis (19 yards) and Hassan Haskins (34 yards) for his pair of touchdown tosses and hitting Joshua Palmer with a two-point conversion pass after the first score. Herbert's clutch second-half performance pushed the Chargers into a tie in the standings with the Broncos at 9-6, and the talented signal-caller will look to carry over the momentum into a Week 17 road battle versus the Patriots on Saturday, Dec. 28.