NFL Player News
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Justin Fields QB | NYJ
Jets' Justin Fields: Serving as emergency QB in Week 16
Fields (knee) is inactive as the Jets' emergency No. 3 quarterback for Sunday's game in New Orleans.
New York will go with Brady Cook as its starting quarterback for the second week in a row, after neither Tyrod Taylor (groin/knee) and Fields (knee) were available for last Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. Both Taylor and Fields took part in all three of the Jets' practices this week, but Taylor will get the nod as Cook's top backup after putting in a full session Friday, whereas Fields was limited in each practice. The Jets haven't indicated that Cook will retain the starting gig for Weeks 17 and 18, but a strong showing against New Orleans would bolster his odds of holding down the job for the rest of the season.
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Dameon Pierce RB | KC
Chiefs' Dameon Pierce: Inactive for Week 16
Pierce (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Pierce was signed to the Chiefs' active roster Saturday but will not suit up for Sunday's road tilt, as Kansas City rolls with a three-man backfield in Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco and Brashard Smith. Pierce's next opportunity to play is Christmas Day against the Broncos.
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Derius Davis WR | LAC
Chargers' Derius Davis: Inactive with ankle issue
Davis (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Davis will miss his second straight game due to a persistent ankle issue. The 25-year-old's absence means rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith will likely take on a bigger role as a kick returner, with Ladd McConkey likely taking over punt return duties.
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Gabe Davis WR | BUF
Bills' Gabe Davis: Inactive versus Cleveland
Davis is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
The same applies to fellow WR Keon Coleman. Buffalo's Week 16 wide receiver corps will thus be comprised of Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Tyrell Shavers, Brandin Cooks and Mecole Hardman.
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Jake Browning QB | CIN
Bengals' Jake Browning: Emergency QB3 vs. Miami
Browning (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Bengals' emergency third quarterback against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Browning will serve as the Bengals' emergency QB3 for a fourth consecutive week, which means he is not allowed to play Sunday unless both Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco were to leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.
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DJ Turner CB | CIN
Bengals' DJ Turner: Good to suit up Sunday
Turner (illness) is active for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against the Dolphins.
Turner was a late addition to the Bengals' injury report Saturday after getting sick. However, he's feeling well enough to give it a go against Miami. Turner has already logged a career-high defensive snap count this season and is tied for the NFL lead with 17 defensed passes, including two interceptions.
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Tyrod Taylor QB | NYJ
Jets' Tyrod Taylor: Available as backup for Week 16
Taylor (groin/knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints.
While managing his pair of injuries, Taylor wasn't available for last week's loss to the Jaguars, paving the way for undrafted rookie Brady Cook to make his first career start. Cook is set to direct the offense once again in Week 16, but Taylor will be available to serve as the No. 2 option after he followed a pair of limited practices Wednesday and Thursday with a full session Friday. If Taylor is able to turn in a full slate of practices next week, he could return to the starting lineup for the Jets' penultimate game of the season against the Patriots, though Cook may retain the top job with a solid showing versus New Orleans.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden TE | NO
Saints' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Not playing Week 16
Mitchell-Paden (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Mitchell-Paden was a late addition to Friday's injury report due to a knee injury, which is severe enough for him to be sidelined for Sunday's game. He was a healthy scratch in each of the Saints' three games prior to Week 16, so his absence won't have too much of an impact. New Orleans will roll with five active tight ends in Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Jack Stoll and Moliki Matavao.
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James Mitchell TE | CAR
Panthers' James Mitchell: Inactive for Week 16
Mitchell (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Mitchell's last chance to suit up was Week 13 against the Rams, but with three tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart opportunties have been scarce. The 26-year-old's best chance at an activation for the remainder of the season will be if Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders or Mitchell Evans need to miss a game with injury.
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B.J. Hill DE | CIN
Bengals' B.J. Hill: Good to go Week 16
Hill (ankle) is active for Sunday's battle against Miami.
Hill began Week 16 prep with consecutive DNPs due to an ankle injury, but he was able to log a limited session Friday. That will be enough for him to take the field Sunday and avoid missing his first game of the campaign. Hill should thus be able to take on his usual starting role along the defensive line, which typically leads to a defensive snap share between 60 and 80 percent.