NFL Player News

The Falcons designated Phillips (triceps) for return from IR on Wednesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Phillips has played in just one game this season -- Week 4 against Washington, when he logged nine special-teams snaps and suffered a triceps injury. He was placed on injured reserve Oct. 18 and has been there since. Phillips will now have his 21-day practice window opened and can be activated at any time, but with just two games remaining on Atlanta's schedule, it remains to be seen if he'll get into a game before the regular season is over.

Jackson (back) was absent at Wednesday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson has yet to mix into any drills since he exited this past Sunday's loss to the Patriots in the second quarter due to what eventually has been described as a back contusion. He thus has just one more chance to practice this week before the Ravens potentially make a ruling on his status for Saturday's game at Green Bay. Tyler Huntley is lined up to start for the Ravens in Week 17 if Jackson ultimately is unable to suit up.

Willis (right shoulder) missed practice Wednesday due to an illness, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

The Packers' top two quarterbacks are dealing with health concerns in the wake of Saturday's loss at Chicago, but Jordan Love (concussion) was able to take part in drills Wednesday, while Willis was absent due to something unrelated to the right shoulder injury he suffered late in Week 16. Willis is the favorite to get the start this Saturday against the Ravens if Love can't make it through the protocol for head injuries, but the former's new ailment adds another element to the QB situation in Green Bay.

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that Bellore (concussion) won't play in Thursday's matchup against the Cowboys, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

The Central Michigan product likely sustained a concussion in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Thursday. Bellore has played almost exclusively on special teams this season, recording 11 total tackles and one forced fumble across 15 appearances.

Schmitz (hand) won't practice Wednesday, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Schmitz suffered a hand injury in the second half of Sunday's loss to Minnesota and wasn't able to finish the game. It's unclear how serious the issue is, but coach Mike Kafka said Wednesday that the team isn't planning to shut him down "yet," which isn't the most promising wording. If Schmitz can't play this Sunday against the Raiders, Austin Schlottmann could start at center for New York.

Woodside signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

The Toledo product was dropped from the Steelers' practice squad in late October but has since found a new home in Arizona. Woodside's last in-game action came with the Cardinals in 2023, when he appeared in one contest and completed three of four passes for 27 yards and an interception.

Collier (knee) was activated off the injured reserve list Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The 30-year-old practiced in full throughout last week and is now in line to return following a 13-game absence due to a knee injury. Through 17 appearances in 2024, Collier recorded 29 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. Now fully healthy, he's expected to operate as one of Arizona's top interior defensive linemen in the Week 17 matchup against the Bengals.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that Driskel will serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind starter Josh Johnson during Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

With Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (hand/quad) both ruled out for Thursday's divisional contest, Driskel -- who was signed off the Cardinals' practice squad earlier this week -- will suit up as Johnson's backup. Josh Johnson. Driskel's last NFL action came back in 2024 with Washington, when he played one snap on offense in a Week 2 game against the Giants.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Wednesday that Johnson will start quarterback in Thursday's game against the Cowboys, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Marcus Mariota hasn't been able to practice since sustaining hand and quadriceps injuries in this past Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles and won't be available on a short week, paving the way for the well-traveled Johnson to make his first NFL start since 2021. Over 48 career appearances (nine starts) across 10 different seasons, the 39-year-old Johnson has completed 58.0 percent of his pass attempts for 6.4 yards per attempt and a 13:17 TD:INT. Per Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said that the Commanders have hope that Mariota might be able to return for the Jan. 4 season finale in Philadelphia, so Johnson could be headed back to the No. 2 role in Week 18.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Mariota (hand/quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.

With Mariota set to be sidelined due to the pair of injuries he sustained in last Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles, Josh Johnson will be called upon to make his first start since the 2021 season. Meanwhile, newly signed Jeff Driskel will serve as Johnson's backup, and Washington plans to sign Sam Hartman off its practice squad to serve as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback, per John Keim of ESPN.com. According to Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said he still has hope that Mariota will be able to return for the Commanders' Jan. 4 regular-season finale in Philadelphia, though Mariota's availability will hinge on what he's able to do in practice next week.