NFL news, injury updates: Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa, will start rookie Quinn Ewers in Week 16

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt missed practice again on Thursday due to the lung issue he’s been dealing with. Watt suffered the injury during a dry needling treatment at the team facility last week. With Watt missing another practice, it does not seem like he’ll play against the Detroit Lions in Week 16.

The Chicago Bears have ruled out wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III for Saturday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, according to the team’s injury report. With the Bears at 104 and the Packers at 9-4-1, this matchup could decide the winner of the NFC North division.

Odunze did not practice this week after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. He has missed the last two games and has dealt with various foot injuries throughout the season. Odunze has recorded 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns this year.

Burden suffered an ankle injury and did not return in Week 15’s 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. He had been heating up late in his rookie season, recording six or more catches and at least 60 yards in each of the last two games. Burden has totaled 36 catches for 479 yards and one touchdown this season.

Running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Cole Kmet are also listed as questionable against the Packers. Coming off a two-touchdown performance, DJ Moore is expected to see the bulk of the targets.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) was in practice on Thursday but showed up toward the end of the open portion. Higgins has been in the league’s concussion protocol.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was on the field for practice on Thursday. Harrison has not played since Nov. 30 in the Cardinals’ loss to the Bucs. He’s been dealing with a heel injury.

Left tackle Paris Johnson, right tackle Kelvin Beachum, left guard Evan Brown, cornerback Max Melton, safety Jalen Thompson, and defensive back Darren Hall were absent from the open portion of practice on Thursday. However, Thompson did work on the side of the field with trainers, according to Cardinals beat reporter Theo Mackie.

The New York Jets have signed quarterback Hendon Hooker to the practice squad. Hoker was a third-round pick for the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with an illness.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed is back after missing Wednesday’s practice due to a personal matter. Wideout Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) is practicing for the second consecutive day.

Running back Josh Jacobs, safety Evan Williams, offensive lineman Zach Tom, and tight end Josh Whyle did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed linebacker Jeremiah Moon and waived defensive tackle Brodric Maring. Moon appeared in 13 games with the Steelers in 2024. He’d spent a portion of this season with the Carolina Panthers and played in one game.

Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams told reporters he suffered an MCL sprain against Denver last week, and it just so happened to take place on the same play where Micah Parsons tore his ACL.

“I look up thinking there’s going to be a couple trainers, there’s one holding a water bottle.”

According to Williams, his status is day-to-day.

Evans, who will be 32 in August, is in his 12th NFL season, all with the Buccaneers.

He’s surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in 11 of those 12 seasons and reached double digits in touchdowns six times. The 2025 season is the only one where he will not have 1,000 receiving yards after missing six weeks due to a broken collarbone.

The Seahawks could clinch a playoff spot on Thursday night when they take on the Rams.

Seattle needs a win or a tie against LA or see the Lions lose to tie against the Steelers on Sunday.

More NFL playoff scenarios for the AFC and NFC can be found here.

The Los Angeles Rams are supposed to be leaving for Seattle this afternoon, but are now apparently facing an equipment issue with their plane.

The Los Angeles Rams will likely be without Davante Adams on Thursday night in Seattle. The team has listed Adams as doubtful for their contest with the Seahawks due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday.

Rams coach Sean McVay said on Tuesday that they were going to give Adams “every chance” to play on the short week, and that they would take it “all the way up to game time” before making a decision. Now, though, it seems unlikely that he’ll play on a short week.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald announced that Josh Jones will start at left tackle on Thursday night against the Rams. Left tackle Charles Cross is dealing with a hamstring injury. Jones was a third-round pick for Arizona in 2020.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen did not participate in practice on Wednesday due to an illness and a shoulder injury. Hines-Allen has not missed a game this season and has recorded 40 total tackles, 23 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 2 passes defended.

Green Bay has activated running back MarShawn Lloyd to the 53-man roster. Lloyd’s window was set to expire this week, so the team activated him to give them more time and will place him back on injured reserve to allow him more time to recover and potentially return to the field. He’s been out all season iwth dealing with a hamstring injury.

When it comes to the future of the quarterback position in Atlanta, coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that “everything is on the table.”

Michael Penix is currently recovering from an ACL surgery last month. It’s unclear if he will be ready in time for the start of the 2026 season.

Veteran Kirk Cousins, who the team signed a four-year, $140 million deal with, has been starting in his place and has two years left on his contract. He’s due to make about $35 million in each of the next two seasons.

While a lot here will almost certainly depend on Penix’s recovery, there are clearly a lot of unknowns as to who will be leading the Falcons’ offense next fall.

Lamar Jackson was not practicing with the Baltimore Ravens again on Wednesday, this time due to an illness.

He’s missed at least one practice now in six consecutive weeks. While he’s been able to consistently bounce back during this stretch, whether he’s ready to go for Sunday night’s matchup with the New England Patriots — a critical contest in their quest to make the playoffs — remains to be seen.

Higgins missed Sunday’s game after suffering his second concussion in a three-week span. The receiver remains in concussion protocol, but is expected to practice on Wednesday ahead of their Week 16 game against the Dolphins.

The 24-year-old has played in each of the past two weeks, both resulting in Jets losses. He’s thrown for 339 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions in 63 attempts.