NFL Player News

Rudolph will start at quarterback Saturday against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin officially ruled out Kenny Pickett (ankle) for Week 16, paving the way for Rudolph to make his first start in nearly two seasons. While Pickett was sidelined for both of the previous two games while recovering from a right ankle procedure, Mitch Trubisky had stepped in as the starter for both contests, but he completed 38 of 58 passes for 6.2 yards per attempt and a 2:3 TD:INT before being benched for Rudolph late in this past Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts. Trubisky will serve as the Steelers' No. 2 signal-caller this Saturday behind Rudolph, who could be an option for managers in leagues that start two quarterbacks or are able to use a QB in a flex spot.

Pickett (ankle) won't play Saturday against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

With Pickett sidelined once again Week 16, Mason Rudolph is slated to serve as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback, per Pryor. Rudolph will be backed up by Mitch Trubisky, who had started both of the previous two games while Pickett had been sidelined after undergoing a procedure on his right ankle. Pickett took a step forward by turning in a trio of limited practices this week, perhaps setting him up for a return to the lineup Week 17 against the Seahawks on Dec. 31.

Stroud (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Stroud hasn't practiced since entering concussion protocol during a 30-6 loss to the Jets in Week 14, and multiple reports have suggested he's unlikely to play in the Texans' upcoming game Sunday against Cleveland. The rookie quarterback still has a few days to clear the five-step protocol prior to Sunday's game, but his chances of playing this week aren't looking promising at the moment. The Texans seem to be preparing Case Keenum for another start in Stroud's stead.

Rodgers (Achilles) was activated from injured reserve Wednesday but won't play in any of the Jets' final three games of the season, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers wouldn't have been able to continue practicing if the Jets had left him on IR beyond Wednesday, which marked the end of his 21-day evaluation window after he had been designated for return Nov. 29. Though the Jets won't keep Rodgers active over any of their final three games now that they've been eliminated from playoff contention, he'll continue to get more reps in with many of the players that will block for him or catch passes from him next season while he simultaneously regains confidence with with his surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon. Zach Wilson (concussion) or Trevor Siemian will start Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Flacco is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a calf injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

The Browns didn't actually practice Wednesday but presumably will do so Thursday as they prepare for a road game in Houston this Sunday. Flacco didn't miss any snaps in this past Sunday's 20-17 win over the Bears, throwing for 374 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions on 44 attempts.

Lock is expected to return to a backup role Sunday in Tennessee after Geno Smith (groin) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Lock played reasonably well during Smith's two-week absence, but head coach Pete Carroll already confirmed after Monday's 20-17 win over the Eagles that Smith will return to the starting role when healthy, per Henderson. With Smith already kicking off Week 16 prep without any apparent restrictions, Lock will drop back to his usual No. 2 role this Sunday.

Head coach Pete Carroll said that Smith (groin) will be a "full go" at Wednesday's walk-through practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The Seahawks had a bit of quarterback drama ahead of Monday's game against the Eagles. After Smith completed a pregame workout, the team left him active, but Drew Lock then handled all the first-team reps in warmups while Smith remained off the field. About 15 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Lock and not Smith was expected to start, and Lock ended up directing Seattle's offense as Smith donned street clothes. While Lock ended up leading Seattle to a come-from-behind 20-17 win, Carroll said Monday that Smith will resume starting quarterback duties once his groin is healthy. With an uncapped practice on tap to kick off Week 16 prep, Smith is back in the saddle as the Seahawks' No. 1 signal-caller.

Pickett (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Pickett took reps behind Mason Rudolph and ahead of Mitch Trubisky, though Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com notes that Pickett's movement looked limited compared to the other two quarterbacks. Rudolph has been penciled in as the tentative starter for Saturday's game against the Bengals, though Pickett would be Pittsburgh's first choice to start if deemed healthy enough to play without significant limitations.

The Chargers signed Duggan to their practice squad Wednesday.

Duggan was waived by the Chargers on Monday, but he's now back with the organization as a practice squadder. As long as both Easton Stick and Will Grier remain available, Duggan is unlikely to make his NFL debut this season.

Lawrence (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, Juston Lewis of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Lawrence was placed in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol after this past Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Ravens. He'll have two more opportunities to return to practice this week, but even if he ends up participating fully by Friday, he'll still need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist if he's to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Buccaneers. If Lawrence is forced to miss a start for the first time in his NFL career, C.J. Beathard would be the next man up under center.