NFL Player News

Saints head coach Dennis Allen labeled Carr "week-to-week" Wednesday due to the left oblique strain that he suffered in Monday's loss to Kansas City, but the quarterback isn't expected to require a stint on injured reserve, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

At the same time, Allen announced rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as the Saints' Week 6 starting quarterback over second-year pro Jake Haener. Carr didn't practice Wednesday, and Allen told Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune that the 33-year-old will retain the starting gig once he's healthy enough to play again. Ultimately, New Orleans likely will make a decision on Carr's status for Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers by week's end.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced Wednesday that Rattler will start Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Though Rattler was inactive as the Saints' emergency No. 3 quarterback for each of the first five weeks, he'll get the starting nod over Jake Haener, who operated as the top backup behind Derek Carr (oblique) in each of those contests. With Carr expected to miss multiple games, Rattler has a big opportunity ahead of him, starting with a home game against a struggling Bucs defense. The rookie fifth-round pick out of South Carolina drew praise from the Saints' coaching staff during training camp, but his numbers over three preseason appearances (20-for-38 for 202 yards and one touchdown, seven carries for 26 yards and one score and one lost fumble) weren't especially inspiring given the caliber of competition he faced.

Levis (shoulder) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Ben Arthur of FoxSports.com reports.

A Week 5 bye apparently gave Levis plenty of time to recover from the right shoulder injury he suffered in a Week 4 win at Miami. He should be back under center this Sunday against the Colts, facing a defense that's been arguably the worst in the NFL through the first month-plus of the season. Levis, of course, has been one of the worst starting quarterbacks, and he may even be a few bad outings away from getting replaced by Mason Rudolph.

Richardson (oblique) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Richardson was a limited participant all last week, with reports suggesting he didn't do much on the field and didn't appear likely to play. The Colts listed him as questionable on their final Week 5 injury report, before downgrading him to doubtful and then making him inactive for Sunday's loss to Jacksonville. Richardson said Wednesday that he was never close to playing last weekend, but he completed a pregame workout and now has a real shot to play this coming Sunday against the Titans, per Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that Richardson will be the starting quarterback as soon as he's healthy, even though the offense has performed well under the guidance of veteran Joe Flacco.

Wilson (calf) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson took part in his first full practice since he aggravated his calf injury Sept. 5. The veteran signal-caller took reps with the second-team offense, but head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he will leave the door open for the 35-year-old to get some first-team work later this week. While quarterback Justin Fields seems highly likely to make another start this Sunday at Las Vegas, it won't come as any surprise if Wilson takes over at some point before the end of the season after winning the starting job coming out of the preseason.

Head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that Minshew has been demoted to a backup role, with Aidan O'Connell named the Raiders' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Minshew kept the starting job for five weeks, going 2-3 while completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 7.2 yards per attempt with four touchdowns and five interceptions. His two worst statistical games were the most recent two outings, for which No. 1 wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) was inactive. O'Connell may also end up playing without Adams, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury and remains a frequent subject in trade rumors.

Head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that O'Connell will replace Gardner Minshew as the Raiders' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Minshew is being demoted to the backup role after starting the first five games of the season. Pierce said he doesn't anticipate going back to Minshew, but the coach did leave the door open to make another change if he eventually feels one is needed, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. O'Connell will start off with a home game against Pittsburgh, leading an offense that played its past two games without wideout Davante Adams (hamstring), tight end Michael Mayer (personal) and right tackle Thayer Munford (knee).

Tennessee signed Siemian to its practice squad Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Siemian previously spent some time on Tennessee's practice squad back in 2020, though that came under a different coaching staff. The journeyman signal-caller is still familiar with head coach Brian Callahan's offensive concepts, as Siemian was with the Bengals for training camp and the preseason in 2023 while Callahan served as Cincinnati's offensive coordinator. The status of top quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) hasn't yet been determined for Sunday's game against the Colts, so Siemian could be elevated from the practice squad to back up Mason Rudolph is Levis is ruled out for Week 6.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed Wednesday that that Brissett will move into the backup role while rookie Drake Maye starts Sunday's game against the Texans.

From the moment the Patriots selected Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, it was inevitable that he would eventually claim the starting job. However, to begin the season, the team turned to the experienced Brissett rather than rushing the rookie into action. With New England sitting on a 1-4 record entering Week 6 and averaging just 12.4 points per game, Maye will now be given the opportunity to help spark the team's struggling attack while Brissett moves into the No. 2 role.

Richardson (oblique) is slated to practice Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Richardson was listed as a limited practice participant all of last week prior to being deemed inactive ahead of the Colts' 37-34 loss to the Jaguars, with Joe Flacco picking up the start in his stead. The team's first Week 6 injury report will be released later Wednesday and will reveal whether Richardson is able to upgrade his participation level. In any case, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that Richardson will reclaim starting duties for the Colts once healthy enough to play, per James Boyd of The Athletic.