NFL Player News

Herbert said following Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Chiefs that he doesn't expect the leg contusion he sustained in the second quarter to affect him going forward, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.

Herbert said he "took a shot there and was in some pain, but felt good to go and went back in" during Sunday Night Football. The franchise quarterback could be seen walking with a visible limp after Sunday's contest, but it doesn't appear as though he expects to still be dealing with any restrictions versus Tampa Bay in Week 15. Herbert completed 21 of 30 pass attempts for 213 yards and one touchdown versus Kansas City, in addition to taking four carries for 12 yards.

O'Connell has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee following an MRI undergone Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

O'Connell was forced out of Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers with an air cast on his left leg, and he had to be carted off the field. All things considered, being diagnosed with only a bone bruise is a near best-case scenario for the second-year quarterback. Head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday he expects Desmond Ridder to start versus Atlanta on Monday Night Football, but it looks like O'Connell still could have a chance to start Week 15 if he can log a good week of practice.

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Monday that Carr (hand) is considered week-to-week due to his hand fracture and is not expected to be placed on IR, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports. Rizzi also relayed that Carr is in the NFL's concussion protocol.

Rizzi noted the fracture to Carr's left, non-throwing hand currently doesn't appear as though it will require surgery, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports. The interim head coach also said it's possible that Carr could start Sunday's game against the Commanders even if he's unable to practice this week, per Sean Fazende of Fox 8 New Orleans. It would be a tall task, though, for the veteran signal-caller to both clear the five-step concussion protocol fully and reach a level of comfort with his injured hand to handle full contact and play Week 15. If Carr isn't able to suit up versus Washington, starting duties will fall to one of Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that Ridder is expected to start against the Falcons in Week 15, though the team still is waiting for updates on the health of Aidan O'Connell (knee), Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Ridder appears in line for at least a spot start under center Week 15 and potentially a longer run in the No. 1 role, depending on the severity of O'Connell's injury. The 25-year-old quarterback was solid in relief during Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers, entering with just over 14 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, while also rushing twice for three yards. He recovered his only fumble.

Carr is believed to have suffered a fracture in his left non-throwing hand during Sunday's 14-11 win, an injury that will likely force him to miss multiple games, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Saints haven't yet officially disclosed the severity of Carr's injury or ruled him out to play Week 15 against the Commanders, but it appears the timing of the veteran quarterback's injury could put him in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season. Rapoport reports that New Orleans may opt not to place Carr on IR, allowing him a chance to recover in time to retake the field this season. In any case, it appears that the Saints will have to pivot to either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler under center for the immediate future.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Monday that Lock (undisclosed) is undergoing an MRI but remains in line to start Sunday's game against the Ravens, as long as he's able to suit up, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Lock was sent for X-rays after New York's 14-11 loss to the Saints in Week 14, a contest in which he completed just 21 of 49 passes for 227 yards and an interception. He did, though, toss a two-point conversion and add 59 rushing yards on five carries. Daboll said Lock emerged from the loss with "a couple bumps and bruises," per Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, so there seems to be optimism that he's avoided a more serious injury.

Coach Antonio Pierce said after Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers that O'Connell's knee injury "doesn't look good," per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that O'Connell is set to undergo additional testing Monday.

O'Connell needed an air cast on his left leg immediately after getting hurt against the Buccaneers and was carted off the field. While official word on the severity of the injury won't come until after the results of Monday's MRI, it's likely that O'Connell's injury will keep him from suiting up for the Raiders' remaining four games, which would thrust Desmond Ridder into a starting role.

Herbert completed 21 of his 30 pass attempts for 213 passing yards and a touchdown in the 19-17 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He also carried the ball four times for 12 yards.

Despite entering the game without his favorite target in Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) and losing another in Will Dissly (shoulder) during the contest, Herbert played well enough despite the hostile conditions. The Pro Bowl quarterback sprinkled the ball around to eight different targets and completed more than 20 passes for just the second time in the last six contests. He also left the game briefly after taking a big hit to his lower body, but the 26-year-old was able to return after missing just one play. Coach Jim Harbaugh clarified after the game that Herbert was dealing with a leg contusion, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The status of McConkey will be worth monitoring given Los Angeles' next opponent is the porous Tampa Bay pass defense, and should the rookie play, Herbert could be poised for a solid fantasy day.

Mahomes completed 24 of 37 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Chargers. He added four rushing attempts for 17 yards.

Mahomes put the Chiefs up 13-0 with a nine-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins in the final minute of the first half, but the Chargers scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. The two teams then exchanged go-ahead field goals in the fourth quarter before Mahomes converted a pair of third downs with passes of 14 yards to Xavier Worthy and nine yards to Travis Kelce to set up Matthew Wright's game-winning 31-yard field goal on the game's final play. It hasn't always been pretty offensively as Kansas City navigates subpar offensive line play with a depleted receiving corps, but Mahomes has led the Chiefs to a 12-1 record and an AFC West Division title heading into a Week 15 trip to Cleveland.

Haener did not attempt a pass but logged one carry on a kneel-down play during Sunday's 14-11 win against the Giants.

Haener took the reins after starting quarterback Derek Carr (hand/head) got injured on a rushing attempt late in the fourth quarter. The second-year backup wound up playing just a handful of snaps, taking a sack and handing the ball off three times before lining up in victory formation on the final play of the game. Carr was removed for a concussion evaluation to go along with a hand injury, and reports following the game indicated that he's feared to have suffered a fractured left hand, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. If that's the case, then Carr availability for the remainder of year would certainly be up in the air, leaving Haener as the likely candidate to step in as the new QB1 since rookie signal-caller Spencer Rattler was ruled a healthy scratch Week 14. The Saints will next play versus the Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 15.