NFL Player News

The Broncos plan to hold Wilson out for the final two games of the season, with an eye toward preserving financial flexibility for the upcoming offseason, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, Wilson has $37 million in 2025 salary that vests in March, and if the quarterback were to suffer a serious injury before the end of this season, it would complicate the Broncos' financial outlook. Even though Denver hasn't been eliminated from postseason contention heading into Week 17 action, the team sits at 7-8 and would need to not only win its next two games but also receive considerable help to secure a playoff berth. With that in mind, the Broncos will hold out Wilson and instead turn the reins of the offense over to Jarrett Stidham, who has played just four snaps in 2023 behind a healthy Wilson after joining Denver on a two-year, $10 million deal this past offseason.

DeVito will move into a backup role for Sunday's game against the Rams with head coach Brian Daboll announcing Wednesday that Tyrod Taylor will start Week 17.

DeVito had started New York's previous six games but was benched for Taylor at halftime of Monday's 33-25 loss to the Eagles. The undrafted rookie has a solid 8:3 TD:INT and has showed some scrambling ability (36 carries for 195 yards and a touchdown), but he's averaging a middling 6.2 yards per attempt and has taken 36 sacks on 212 dropbacks (a league-worst 17 percent rate). Assuming Taylor escapes Week 17 unscathed and turns in a decent showing versus the Rams, DeVito should remain in a backup role for the Week 18 rematch with Philadelphia.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that Murray won't practice Wednesday due to an illness, but the Cardinals aren't concerned about the quarterback's availability for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Gannon implied that Murray will likely be back on the practice field Thursday, and added that there are no real worries of an absence due to the "holiday bug." Murray is coming off a solid performance in a loss to Chicago this past Sunday, when he threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns despite not having wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel) available. The signal-caller added five carries for 32 yards.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that Taylor will start Sunday's game against the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Taylor replaced Tommy DeVito to begin the second half of the Giants' Christmas Day loss to the Eagles. He proceeded to complete seven of 16 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while also rushing twice for 21 yards. With the undrafted rookie DeVito having struggled to move the offense in both of his past two starts, the Giants will presumably finish the campaign with the more battle-tested Taylor under center, provided the veteran turns in a capable showing Sunday and also avoids injury. Over his nine appearances (three starts) thus far in 2023, Taylor has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 6.8 yards per attempt and three touchdowns to go with 119 yards on 24 carries while turning the ball over just once (an interception) on 221 total snaps.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Howell won't start Sunday's game against the 49ers, with Jacoby Brissett set to lead Washington's offense moving forward, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Howell has started each of Washington's first 15 games, but he's unraveled over the last three outings. In losses to the Dolphins, Rams and Jets, Howell has been pulled early in favor of Brissett on two occasions and completed just 29 of 71 attempts (40.8 percent) for 285 yards (4.0 YPA) while throwing for one touchdown against four interceptions and taking five sacks. Brissett, meanwhile, nearly led the Commanders to a come-from-behind win after entering in the third quarter of this past Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, and the coaching staff now looks ready to give him a look in the starting role for the final two games of the season. Unless Howell is used off the bench, he'll finish the 2023 campaign with a 63.2 percent completion rate for 6.5 YPA and a 19:17 TD:INT to go with 265 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Brissett will start Sunday's game against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After coming on to replace the struggling Sam Howell in the third quarter of this past Sunday, Brissett came close to leading Washington to a comeback win before the Commanders ultimately fell to the Jets, 30-28. He made enough of an impression in relief to replace Howell as the team's starting quarterback, with Brissett completing 10 of 13 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. With only two games left in the regular season, Brissett will presumably start Week 18 against the Cowboys, provided he acquits himself well enough versus San Francisco.

Stroud (concussion) is expected to practice Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Stroud looks set to take the field Wednesday in some fashion for the first time since entering the concussion protocol during the Texans' Week 14 loss to the Jets. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said over the weekend that Stroud has been taking part in team meetings and is progressing in his recovery from the brain injury, but the quarterback's upcoming return to practice would represent the first tangible step forward as he navigates the protocol. In addition to attaining full clearance for contact, Stroud will also need to get the green light to play from an independent neurologist before he's removed from the five-step protocol. The Texans would turn to either Case Keenum or Davis Mills at quarterback for Sunday's game against the Titans if Stroud isn't ready to play this weekend.

Jacksonville signed Barkley to its active roster from the Giants' practice squad Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, the Jaguars placed safety Daniel Thomas on their injured reserve list Tuesday. With Trevor Lawrence dealing with an AC joint sprain, Barkley could be in line to play a backup role as early as Sunday.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said that he thinks Levis (ankle) will try to practice Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Vrabel added that Levis is feeling better after sitting out Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Seahawks with a right ankle sprain. If the rookie quarterback can upgrade to full practice participation by Friday, he should be in good position to reclaim starting duties from Ryan Tannehill for Sunday's game in Houston.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Tuesday that Lawrence's right shoulder injury is an AC joint sprain, noting that while the quarterback is "progressing," his availability for Sunday's game against the Panthers is uncertain, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

In addition to not making any promises about Lawrence playing Sunday, Pederson was also unsure about the signal-caller being able to practice Wednesday in any capacity. According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, the coach added that Lawrence is still dealing with soreness after exiting this past Sunday's 30-12 loss to the Buccaneers with the injury, so the Jaguars may be inclined to hold off on having him practice until more of the pain subsides. C.J. Beathard would be in line for the Week 17 start if Lawrence can't go, while the Jaguars signed Matt Barkley off the Giants' practice squad Tuesday to provide added depth to the position group.