NFL Player News

Interim coach Darren Rizzi said that if Carr (hand), who didn't practice Thursday, isn't able to play Monday in Green Bay, Spencer Rattler will be under center for the Saints, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Rizzi added that Carr probably will need to practice by Saturday in order to have a chance to suit up Week 16. Additionally, Rizzi pushed back at reports that Carr likely won't return this season, telling Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, "Derek Carr wants to play this season. There is zero doubt about that. ... So, therefore, that's why this is day-to-day." In the event that Carr doesn't do enough to put an end to a one-game absence Monday, Rattler will get the start, while Jake Haener will serve as his backup.

Lock (heel/elbow) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Lock, who was limited in practice Wednesday and missed the Giants' Week 15 loss to the Ravens, now seems fully on track for Sunday's road matchup against the Falcons. Head coach Brian Daboll has already announced that, if available, Lock will start versus Atlanta on Sunday, priming him for matchup against Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix. Tommy DeVito (concussion) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday and seems to be trending in the right direction for Week 16, meaning he could be available as Lock's backup.

Saints head coach Darren Rizzi announced Thursday that Rattler will start versus the Packers on Monday if Derek Carr (hand) is unavailable, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Rattler logged a solid showing after replacing Jake Haener under center during New Orleans' loss to Washington in Week 15, completing 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown, including a near last-second comeback. At this stage, Carr's Week 16 status is iffy, with Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football relaying that Rizzi indicated that the veteran QB would probably have to get in a practice by Saturday in order to play Monday.

Mahomes (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Texans, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Mahomes, who was listed as a full practice participant Tuesday through Thursday, thus is cleared to start versus Houston. In terms of how the QB looked at practice this week, head coach Andy Reid noted that Mahomes "did look good out there. He moved around pretty good," while wideout DeAndre Hopkins said that Kansas City's QB looked "like he always does.'' With Mahomes' availability confirmed, the team also appears poised to welcome back speedy wideout Hollywood Brown (shoulder, no injury designation) who is on IR but is expected to be activated by the Chiefs ahead of Week 16 action.

Fields (abdomen) did not practice Thursday and is ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Fields hasn't yet practiced in any capacity since sustaining an abdomen injury during Pittsburgh's loss to the Eagles in Week 15. He picked up the injury on an eight-yard rush in the second quarter of the Steelers' loss. Until Fields is cleared to retake the field, Kyle Allen handle backup quarterback duties behind Russell Wilson.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Mahomes (ankle) "will most likely" start Saturday's game against the Texans, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Mahomes sustained a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's win over the Browns, but the issue is clearly less severe than the injury he suffered two years ago during the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. The star quarterback managed to practice in full Wednesday, potentially putting him on track to head into Week 16 action without an injury designation at all. Meanwhile, Reid also offered optimism that wide receiver Hollywood Brown (shoulder) will be activated from IR and make his season debut versus Houston on Saturday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Smith (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Smith injured his right knee in the second half of this past Sunday's loss to the Packers and wasn't able to return. He was able to work out Monday, then received encouraging results after undergoing tests on his knee. With no limitations to begin Week 16 prep, Smith thus is set to remain the Seahawks' starting quarterback Sunday against the Vikings.

Tagovailoa was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a hip injury, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa's listed limitations make his status worth tracking ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers, but so far there's been nothing to suggest that the quarterback is in danger of sitting out. He'll have two more chances to put in a full practice and erase any concerns about his status heading into the weekend.

Mayfield didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.

In addition to Mayfield, three key skill-position players for the Buccaneers -- wideout Mike Evans (rest), tight end Cade Otton (knee) and wideout Sterling Shepard (foot) -- sat out the first practice of Week 16 prep, while running back Bucky Irving (back/hip) was a limited participant. As a result, the group will be monitored as the week goes on to see who will be available for Mayfield in the event the quarterback also is cleared to play Sunday at Dallas.

Mills (illness) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Mills was a DNP for Tuesday's walkthrough practice due to an illness. It appears he's past the issue and is on track to serve as Houston's backup quarterback behind C.J. Stroud against the Chiefs on Saturday.