NFL Player News

Siemian will remain the Jets' starting quarterback for Thursday's game against the Browns, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Tuesday that Zach Wilson has yet to clear concussion protocol and will miss a second straight contest, paving the way for Siemian to make another start. The veteran QB was at the helm for the Jets' 30-28 win over the Commanders this past Sunday, but New York's 27-7 halftime lead was mainly produced by a defense that forced two turnovers in opposing territory and a huge performance by Breece Hall. Siemian was able to help guide the team to a game-winning 54-yard field goal on their last possession after the Jets had blown that lead. If Wilson clears the protocol before the season finale Jan. 7 against the Patriots. it's not clear which quarterback might get the start.

Wilson hasn't cleared the concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Browns.

Wilson doesn't seem to have made much progress since suffering a concussion Dec. 17 against Miami, and he remained listed as a non-participant Monday on the Jets' initial Week 17 practice report. The team has determined that the quarterback won't pass all five phases of the protocol before Thursday, so he'll miss a second game in a row while Trevor Siemian gets another turn as the starting quarterback. Wilson could still be in the mix for the start in the season finale versus the Patriots in Week 18.

Cleveland signed Walker on Tuesday.

In a corresponding move, the Browns placed Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) on their injured reserve list Tuesday. Per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, Walker is now set to back up Joe Flacco on Thursday versus the Jets. Over six games with Cleveland earlier this season, Walker posted a mediocre 6.1 yards per pass attempt and threw just one touchdown to five interceptions.

The Browns placed Thompson-Robinson (hip) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Since clearing the concussion protocol, the fifth-round pick out of UCLA has appeared in each of the team's last three games, taking a handful of snaps behind Joe Flacco in specific packages. Thompson-Robinson apparently injured his hip during his brief cameo in Sunday's 36-22 win over the Texans, and the team decided it could put his roster spot to better use for the rest of the regular season. He's technically eligible to be activated as soon as the AFC Championship Game, should the Browns advance that far, but for now PJ Walker will step in as Flacco's backup. Thompson-Robinson wraps up his regular season with a 53.6 percent completion rate on 112 passes for 3.9 yards per attempt, one touchdown and four interceptions to go with 14 carries for 65 yards over his eight outings.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Pickett (ankle) is "in the same position" with his injury as last week, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin stopped short of guaranteeing that Mason Rudolph will make a second straight start, but the Steelers appear set to go with Rudolph again while Pickett's health remains something of a question mark. After missing the previous two games while recovering from right ankle surgery, Pickett was cleared to resume individual work last week but didn't make enough progress to attain active status. Tomlin noted that the Steelers will see where Pickett is at from a mobility standpoint by the end of the practice week before determining his status or role for Sunday's game. Even if Pickett isn't able to mix into drills with the first-team offense this week, it's possible that he could still be active as Rudolph's backup over Mitch Trubisky if the Steelers feel comfortable with Pickett's ability to move around the pocket.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Rudolph is "scheduled to be" the team's starting quarterback for Sunday's game in Seattle, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin stopped short of confirming that Rudolph would direct the offense, as the Steelers will wait and see what kind of progress Kenny Pickett (ankle) makes as the week rolls along. Rudolph made his first start since 2021 in last Saturday's contest against the Bengals and made the most of the opportunity, completing 17 of 27 pass attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers in the Steelers' 34-11 win, with his yardage total marking a season high for any Pittsburgh quarterback.

DiNucci reverted to Denver's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

DiNucci was elevated for Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Patriots, but he ultimately remained inactive as an emergency QB option. He's unlikely to see the field for the Broncos this season unless one of Russell Wilson and/or Jarrett Stidham end up missing time. He hasn't appeared in a game since 2020 with Dallas.

Wilson (concussion) remains in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol Tuesday and his status for Thursday's game against the Browns is up in the air, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Wilson was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report due to a concussion sustained just before halftime of the Jets' Week 15 divisional loss to the Dolphins. Coach Robert Saleh said Monday that Wilson is "progressing," but unless he's able to get back on the practice field in at least a limited capacity, it will be difficult for the quarterback to gain clearance in time for Thursday Night Football. Trevor Siemian will get a second straight start if Wilson is unable to play.

Darnold completed eight of 14 pass attempts for 81 yards, a touchdown and an interception while adding nine rushing yards on one attempt in Monday's 33-19 loss to the Ravens.

Darnold entered the contest well into the second half after Brock Purdy threw four interceptions and then exited with a neck injury. The veteran backup threw his first touchdown pass of the 2023 season -- and also as a member of the 49ers -- to rookie wideout Ronnie Bell in garbage time of Monday's defeat. Initial reports out of San Francisco indicate that Purdy should be good to go against the Commanders in Week 17, which would leave Darnold in his usual role holding a touchscreen on the sideline.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said he's confident Purdy will be available Week 17 against Washington after leaving in the fourth quarter of Monday's 33-19 loss to Baltimore with a neck stinger, NFL.com reports.

After exiting the contest, Purdy was spotted with his helmet on and looked ready to check back into the game, but the 49ers stuck with backup Sam Darnold at quarterback for the remainder of the contest. Shanahan said he didn't consider putting Purdy back in the game given his injury, along with the fact that the 49ers had three key offensive linemen out. Even before departing with the stinger, Purdy endured his worst start of the season, completing 18 of 32 pass attempts for 255 yards, no touchdowns and a career-high four interceptions.