NFL Player News

Nix completed 29 of 40 passes for 263 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and added three rushes for 25 yards in the Broncos' 34-27 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but Denver retained possession.

The rookie turned in yet another impressive performance and did so against a talented defense, bouncing back from having thrown a combined five interceptions over the previous two games. Nix eclipsed 250 passing yards for the fourth time in five games with Thursday's total, one he achieved by connecting with a whopping 10 targets overall. Nix's pair of touchdown passes went to Michael Burton (one yard) and Devaughn Vele (six yards) -- both in the second quarter -- and he's now compiled 13 scoring tosses over the last six games. Nix next takes aim at the vulnerable Bengals defense in a Week 17 road matchup on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Wilson (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Chargers and will be Denver's emergency third quarterback, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Wilson has yet to play in a game this season, though he's frequently been designated as Denver's emergency third quarterback. He won't be able to enter Thursday's AFC West clash unless both Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham become unavailable due to injury, illness or ejection.

Stick (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

The quarterback can only enter the contest if starter Justin Herbert and backup Taylor Heinicke get injured, sick or ejected. Herbert played through ankle and thigh issues in last week's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers, but he did not enter Thursday night with an injury designation. Stick has yet to appear in a game this season.

Smith (knee) said Thursday that he expects to play in the Seahawks' Week 16 matchup with the Vikings, John Boyle of the team's official site reports. "I'm getting better every day, and I'm looking forward to Sunday," Smith added.

Smith was forced out of this past Sunday's loss in the third quarter after he took a low hit from a Packers defender and didn't return. He received positive results from testing in the days following the contest, and he's now logged back-to-back full practices to begin Week 16 prep, per Boyle. All signs point to Smith being under center for Seattle after Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Tagovailoa (hip) remained limited at practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Per Furones, offensive coordinator Frank Smith previously indicated that Tagovailoa's hip issue isn't concerning, a notion that would be supported by the QB practicing fully to close out the week. Friday's injury report is destined to relay whether Tagovailoa approaches Week 16 action with an injury designation or fully cleared to face the 49ers on Sunday.

Winston (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In addition to being demoted to the backup quarterback behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Winston is now dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder. If the injury prevents Winston from suiting up against the Bengals on Sunday, then Bailey Zappe would be in line to take over as the No. 2 quarterback behind Thompson-Robinson.

Rattler will start Monday's game against the Saints if Derek Carr (hand) doesn't play, ESPN.com's Katherine Terrell reports.

Reports suggest Carr is unlikely to play again this season, but Saints coach Darren Rizzi sees it differently, telling reporters that he hopes to get Carr "back here by the end of the year." Rizzi did acknowledge Carr is unlikely to play Monday, leaving Rattler as the probable starter and Jake Haener as the backup. There's a chance Rizzi makes that official Friday if Carr misses another practice.

DeVito (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

While DeVito maintained his activity level from one day prior, coach Brian Daboll told Salomone earlier Thursday that the second-year signal-caller was expected to increase his activity level as he progressed through the concussion protocol. Daboll added, "I think he'll be available" Sunday in Atlanta, but even if DeVito gains clearance from an independent neurologist and is active this weekend, he'll be the backup to Drew Lock (heel/left elbow), who practiced fully Thursday. Tim Boyle is on hand to handle No. 2 QB duties if DeVito isn't able to.

Burrow (right wrist/knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Burrow, who also was limited Wednesday, logged capped sessions last Wednesday and Thursday before practicing fully Friday and heading into Week 15 action without an injury designation. With no reported setbacks, it wouldn't surprise to see that pattern followed ahead of this Sunday's game against the Browns.

Mayfield (knee) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Mayfield was held out of drills Wednesday due to a knee injury, but his return to all activity one day later sets him up to continue to direct the Buccaneers offense Sunday at Dallas, whose defense has given up the second-most combined touchdowns (21 passing, eight rushing) to opposing quarterbacks in 14 contests this season.