🏆 News And Notes From Around The League

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Our Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes you need as we head into Week 16. Let's Go. J What's New At Footballguys - [A Cool Free Playoff Calculator](=) - We try to shine the spotlight on cool things we see and I love this free NFL Playoff Calculator tool from the New York Times. [Check it out here.](=) Inside This Issue [] - [NYJ: Zach Wilson in concussion protocol](#article-1) - [PIT: Mason Rudolph to start](#article-2) - [TEN: Will Levis to have MRI](#article-3) - [IND: Zack Moss to try to play](#article-4) - [WAS: Sam Howell to remain QB1](#article-5) - [KC: Isiah Pacheco 'good to go'](#article-6) - [JAX: Zay Jones injured hamstring](#article-7) - [HOU: C.J. Stroud still in protocol](#article-8) - [JAX: Trevor Lawrence in concussion protocol](#article-9) - [BAL: Keaton Mitchell likely done for the year](#article-10) - [MIN: Alexander Mattison uncertain for Week 16](#article-11) - [ARI: Update on Marquise Brown](#article-12) - [LAC: Will Grier signed by Chargers](#article-13) - [LAR: Tutu Atwell will play Week 16](#article-14) - [ATL: Desmond Ridder done as starter?](#article-15) [] 1. NYJ: Zach Wilson in concussion protocol [Source: ESPN.com - Rich Cimini]( New York Jets QB Zach Wilson (concussion) is in the concussion protocol, according to sources Monday, Dec. 18. Our view: Let's see what he can do during the week of practice. Head coach Robert Saleh said Wilson will start in Week 16 if he's cleared. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. PIT: Mason Rudolph to start [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph will start over QB Mitchell Trubisky in Week 16, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Our view: Nobody should be surprised by this development. Trubisky is not a great starting option, and perhaps Rudolph will give the offense more spark. Now, it could be more "sparklers" and less "fireworks" with Rudolph out there but we're almost positive it will be better (even if just a little bit) over Trubisky. [Back to Top](#top) [] 3. TEN: Will Levis to have MRI [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis (ankle) will have an MRI Monday, Dec. 18, on what's believed to be a sprained ankle. Our view: Let's see what the test results reveal about his ankle. The Titans aren't going to the playoffs, but they can play spoiler for any team they face the rest of the way. Also, the Titans should keep starting Levis as they evaluate him for the 2024 season and beyond. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. IND: Zack Moss to try to play [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( Indianapolis Colts RB Zack Moss (shoulder) is going to try to play in Week 16 through a shoulder injury. X-rays were negative, and he will see how it progresses through the week. Our view: Moss is going to tough it out, but shoulder problems on a running back is not great. Jonathan Taylor could be back from his thumb injury this week after missing Week 15 (his third missed game since suffering the injury). We could see the Colts get Trey Sermon more touches if Moss is not himself. [Back to Top](#top) [] 5. WAS: Sam Howell to remain QB1 [Source: ESPN.com - John Keim]( Updating an earlier report, Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell will remain the team's starting quarterback, per head coach Ron Rivera. Howell was benched during the team's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Our view: This is an odd decision, but Rivera is on his way out as the Commanders' coach and may just want to go down with the guy who got him here. Again...curious, especially when Jacoby Brissett looked good (two TD passes) in Week 15 when he came into the game against the Rams. [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. KC: Isiah Pacheco 'good to go' [Source: NFL.com]() Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) is expected to play in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Andy Reid announced Monday, Dec. 18. Our view: Pacheco's return is great for the Chiefs. He can get out there and run angry, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire can make plays as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield too. [Back to Top](#top) [] 7. JAX: Zay Jones injured hamstring [Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco]() Jacksonville Jaguars WR Zay Jones (hamstring) left the game Sunday, Dec. 17, with a hamstring injury that head coach Doug Pederson said 'looked bad on the field.' Our view: Jones has had knee problem this year, and now he's got a hamstring concern. If he misses time, the Jaguars can turn to Parker Washington as an option at the wide receiver position opposite of Calvin Ridley. [Back to Top](#top) [] 8. HOU: C.J. Stroud still in protocol [Source: NFL Network - Andrew Siciliano]() Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) is still in the concussion protocol, according to sources Monday, Dec. 18. Our view: Case Keenum started for Houston in Week 15, and he'd likely get back out there if Stroud has to miss another game. [Back to Top](#top) The best things sent in the Footballguys Group Chat today: - 😳 The drought continues. [Where were you when the Jets last made it to the playoffs?](=)​ - 🥣 James Cook must have had his [Wheaties for breakfast cause he balled out.](=)​ - 🤔 CMC’s interview for the [Manning Cast was something else.]()​ - 😅 Playing against the [Ravens right now is just unfair.]()​ - 😂 What did [Mahomes say to get this type of reaction?]()​ ​ [] 9. JAX: Trevor Lawrence in concussion protocol [Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe]( Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (concussion) was placed in the league's concussion protocol following the team's Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 17. Our view: The Jaguars will now work Lawrence through the league's concussion protocol. They are 8-6 and in a 3-way tie at the top of the AFC South with the Colts and Texans. They won't rush Lawrence at all, but having him out there would give them the best chances of winning out and securing the division title (and a playoff appearance). [Back to Top](#top) [] 10. BAL: Keaton Mitchell likely done for the year [Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley]() Updating an earlier report, Baltimore Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell (knee) has a 'serious injury' to his knee, according to head coach John Harbaugh, who added that 'it looks like he won't be back for the rest of the season.' Our view: That just sucks. Mitchell brings explosion and excitement to the Ravens' backfield. With him out for the season, Melvin Gordon will get moved up the depth chart. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. MIN: Alexander Mattison uncertain for Week 16 [Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert](=) Minnesota Vikings RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) is uncertain for Week 16 but will work toward re-joining practice, head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Monday, Dec. 18. Our view: Ty Chandler was fantastic as the starter in Week 15. We'll see if Mattison can participate in practice this week. [Back to Top](#top) [] 12. ARI: Update on Marquise Brown [Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss]( Updating an earlier report, Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown (heel) was meant to be 'on and off' throughout the game on Sunday, Dec. 17, to give his ailing heel a break, but the injury reached a point where he 'couldn't go anymore.' Our view: Brown injured the heel that had been bothering him and had to come out of the game on Sunday. He did return, but Brown finished the week without being targeted by QB Kyler Murray. Fantasy GMs who made it through the first week of the fantasy playoffs with Brown in the lineup as a flex should consider themselves lucky. Even if Brown plays, he's not a great option going forward in the fantasy playoffs. [Back to Top](#top) [] 13. LAC: Will Grier signed by Chargers [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]( New England Patriots QB Will Grier was signed off the practice squad by the Los Angeles Chargers Monday, Dec. 18. Our view: Easton Stick is not impressive as the starter, so the Chargers are looking for options. Grier has starting experience, but he's bounced around the league as a backup for years. We'll see if he can get up to speed in the offense and perhaps even get a starting nod before the season's end. [Back to Top](#top) [] 14. LAR: Tutu Atwell will play Week 16 [Source: NFL.com]() Los Angeles Rams WR Tutu Atwell (concussion) cleared the concussion protocol and will play against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, head coach Sean McVay said Monday, Dec. 18. Our view: Atwell suffered his concussion in Week 14, and he was inactive for Week 15. Having Atwell on the field gives QB Matthew Stafford another target, and he can take short passes and turn them into long gains. [Back to Top](#top) [] 15. ATL: Desmond Ridder done as starter? [Source: AtlantaFalcons - Tori McElhaney](=) Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder may have lost his starting role as head coach Arthur Smith said the team is still working through that decision Monday, Dec. 18. Smith said it will be between Ridder and Taylor Heinicke in Week 16. Our view: The choice between Ridder and Heinicke is like the choice between airline food and hospital food. Both will get the job done, but it doesn't taste great. Fantasy GMs are avoiding the quarterback situation as a whole in Atlanta, but the chosen starter will impact the various skill position players around them - and that's why we need to know who is starting ASAP. [Back to Top](#top) That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J [avatar] Joe Bryant Guide ​ ​ [[twitter]​]([[facebook]​](=)[[discord]​]([[youtube]​]([[instagram]​]( = Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey Was this email forwarded to you? [Sign Up here](​ ​[Advertise with us](and get your brand in front of 600,000+ football fans [GO PRO](=) [PODCASTS]() [COMMUNITY]( [SHOP]( [CONTACT US]( You’re subscribed as [{EMAIL}](=) . [Unsubscribe here]( Copyright @ 2023 Sportsguys, LLC. 118 N Peters Road, Suite 208. Knoxville, TN 37922 ​[Opt-out of preference based advertising](=)​ ​