NFL Player News

The Texans plan to bench Allen and appoint Davis Mills to the starting quarterback role for Sunday's game in Dallas, leagues sources tell Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

Mills opened the season as the Texans' starter before being benched after guiding Houston to a 1-8-1 record through the first 11 weeks. Houston was hopeful that Allen might provide a slight upgrade under center, but he was unable to even meet the low bar that Mills had set. Allen completed 59 percent of his throws for 5.3 yards per attempt, two touchdowns and four interceptions over the past two games, double-digit losses to the Dolphins and Browns. Head coach Lovie Smith thus appears set to give Mills another look as the starter, though the Texans may not confirm as much until later in the week.

The Texans plan to return Mills to the starting quarterback role for Sunday's game at Dallas, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

Mills started the Texans' first 10 games before being benched in favor of Kyle Allen ahead of Week 12 after completing 61.9 percent of his throws for 6.5 yards per attempt and an 11:11 TD:INT. Allen didn't fare any better in double-digit losses to the Dolphins and Browns the past two weeks (59 percent completion rate, 5.3 YPA, 2:4 TD:INT), so the Texans will turn the offense back over to Mills with the hope that he can provide some sort of lift. Expect head coach Lovie Smith to confirm Mills' return to the top of the depth chart later in the week.

Willis completed two of four passes for 16 yards in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Eagles. He also ran the ball once for eight yards.

Willis entered the game almost exactly halfway through the fourth quarter with the Titans down 25 points. He primarily handed the ball off to Julius Chestnut, though he did connect with Dontrell Hilliard for a gain of 10 yards and C.J. Board for a gain of six yards. Willis will remain the backup to close the 2022 season unless Ryan Tannehill becomes unavailable.

Wolford (neck) was listed as limited on Tuesday's practice estimate, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Wolford is trending in a positive direction, as he was considered a non-participant at Monday's walk-through. More clarity on his status for Thursday's matchup with the Raiders will come following Wednesday's injury report. If he is ultimately forced to sit out, Bryce Perkins would be the next man up under center. It should be noted the Rams claimed Baker Mayfield off waivers Tuesday, which means he will be competing for a chance to direct the offense once he gets up to speed on the playbook.

Garoppolo won't need surgery on his broken left foot, which has been confirmed to not be a Lisfranc injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. If his recovery goes well, Garoppolo may be able to return in 7-to-8 weeks.

This is the first indication that Garoppolo isn't out for the season and instead could be a candidate to be available for the 49ers at some point in the playoffs. The divisional round of the playoffs lines up with the seven-week mark reported by Schefter, but as long as Garoppolo is in recovery mode, rookie seventh-round pick Brock Purdy will be San Francisco's starting quarterback, with Josh Johnson backing him up after the team signed him off the Broncos' practice squad.

The Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers from the Panthers on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

One day after the Panthers granted Mayfield's request to get waived, he'll land with one of the NFC West teams currently dealing with injuries in their quarterback rooms. For Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford (neck) effectively is done for the season, while John Wolford again is dealing with a neck injury, leaving Bryce Perkins as the only healthy option at the position before Mayfield's arrival. If Wolford is unable to go Thursday against the Raiders, Perkins will almost certainly get the start under center. However, Mayfield may get a chance to direct the Rams offense at some point down the stretch. The Rams will absorb the money remaining on Mayfield's $18.86 million salary for 2022 before he becomes a free agent this offseason.

Huntley may be in line to start Sunday's game at Pittsburgh after Lamar Jackson was diagnosed Tuesday with a PCL sprain in his left knee, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Huntley stepped in for Jackson for the final three quarters of this past Sunday's 10-9 win against the Broncos, completing 27 of 32 passes for 187 yards, no touchdowns and one interception while rushing 10 times for 41 yards a touchdown. Since then, head coach John Harbaugh has called Jackson "week-to-week," and now with a firm diagnosis, the quarterback can expect a recovery timetable of 1-to-3 weeks. If Jackson ends up sitting out Week 14, Huntley will earn his fifth start with the Ravens over the last two seasons.

The 49ers signed Johnson off the Broncos' practice squad Tuesday.

This marks Johnson's fourth stint with the 49ers in some capacity, but he now is only one snap away from getting his first game action with the team. On Sunday, Jimmy Garoppolo likely was lost for the season due to a broken foot, setting the stage for Brock Purdy to take over the offense. Purdy, a rookie taken in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, was in need of an experienced hand behind him however, resulting in Johnson's return. In 37 career appearances (nine starts) between six organizations, Johnson has a 58.1 completion percentage, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt and compiled a 13:16 TD:INT.

Jackson has been diagnosed with a PCL sprain in his left knee, which will require 1-to-3 weeks in order to recover, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jackson didn't log any snaps after picking up a knee injury on the last play of the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Broncos. The issue initially was termed a mild left knee sprain, but testing didn't reveal its extent until Tuesday. Coach John Harbaugh called Jackson "week-to-week" Monday, while adding that the quarterback was less likely to be able to suit up Sunday in Pittsburgh, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun. Assuming Jackson can't play this weekend, Tyler Huntley will earn his fifth start over the last two seasons in place of the team's No. 1 QB.

Dalton completed 20 of 28 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown during Monday's 17-16 loss to the Buccaneers.

Dalton logged one of his more efficient performances of the season, accumulating 8.2 yards per attempt against a Tampa Bay defense that was tied for fifth in yards per attempt allowed (6.6) coming into Week 13. However, the veteran still posted fewer than 250 passing yards for the eighth time in his 10 starts. His scoring production also remained limited by New Orleans' inefficiency in the red zone, as the team settled for field goals of 38, 21 and 29 yards. This unit will now have a bye week to rest and recover before taking on the Falcons' 26th-ranked passing defense in Week 15.