NFL NEWS

FALCONS QUARTERBACK PENIX WILL HAVE SEASON-ENDING KNEE SURGERY, LEAVING COUSINS AS STARTER

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have season-ending surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The Falcons announced Penix’s surgery plans on Wednesday, two days after saying the 25-year-old would be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four games while awaiting a second opinion on the severity of the injury. The team said the second opinion confirmed that Penix has a partially torn ligament in the knee.

The loss of Penix leaves veteran Kirk Cousins as the starter for the remainder of the season as the Falcons (3-7) prepare to play at New Orleans on Sunday.

Penix suffered the injury in last week’s 30-27 overtime loss to Carolina, extending the Falcons’ losing streak to five games.

Coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Easton Stick would be signed to the active roster from the practice squad to serve as Cousins’ backup. Former Tampa Bay backup Kyle Trask will be signed to the practice squad.

Morris acknowledged that he could not say Penix would be recovered in time for the start of the 2026 season. He also said Penix’s season-ending surgery would impact the team’s offseason plan “100%” at quarterback.

“To answer that in the shortest possible way, yes,” Morris said.

If there is uncertainty about Penix’s recovery schedule, the team is likely to look for help in free agency or the draft.

Penix had two ACL surgeries on his right knee during his college career. His last ACL surgery came in 2020 at Indiana. He transferred to Washington in 2021.

“It gives me great ease because of Michael, first of all knowing he’s been through it,” Morris said.

The Falcons also are expected to be without top wide receiver Drake London on Sunday. Morris said Wednesday that London, who also has a knee injury, won’t play against the Saints and his status was “week to week.”

Penix missed the Falcons’ 34-10 loss to Miami on Oct. 26 with a bone bruise on his left knee. He suffered the more significant injury on Sunday when he was hit by Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig after throwing an incomplete pass.

Penix, the team’s 2024 first-round pick, was 13 of 16 for 175 yards against Carolina after completing only 12 of 28 passes in a 31-25 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin on Nov. 9.

The Falcons’ offense struggled in Cousins’ first start of the season in the loss to Miami. Morris noted there was uncertainty at quarterback in practice leading up to the game against the Dolphins, but this week Cousins will have the advantage of taking all the first-team snaps.

“We’ve got to find a way to get a win because he’s capable of doing it and he’s done it in the past,” Morris said, noting the Falcons started the 2024 season 6-3 with Cousins as the starter.

ROOKIE QB SHEDEUR SANDERS WILL MAKE HIS FIRST NFL START FOR THE BROWNS ON SUNDAY IN LAS VEGAS

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Las Vegas seems like the perfect place for Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL start.

The Browns’ flashy rookie quarterback with the Hall of Fame father, bright smile and huge fan base will start Sunday in arguably America’s glitziest city against the Raiders as the Browns turn to him while fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel recovers from a concussion.

Sanders replaced an injured Gabriel for the second half of last week’s 23-16 loss to Baltimore. It was a shaky debut as Sanders, who was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round, completed just 4 of 16 passes with an interception. He also was sacked twice and fumbled once.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Gabriel remains in the concussion protocol but is improving.

Sanders was fourth on Cleveland’s depth chart during training camp, behind Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Gabriel. But the Browns, who have spent decades in search of a franchise QB, traded both Pickett and Flacco before starting Gabriel in six games.

Sanders will be the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, and the 18th rookie. They’ve gone 0-17 in their debuts.

Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, had been projected as a first-round pick in April’s draft. However, all 32 teams passed on the Colorado standout before the Browns selected him with the No. 144 overall pick, two rounds after they took Gabriel.

While Sanders was playing his first regular-season game on Sunday, his home was burglarized. The Medina County Sheriff’s Office said three suspects wearing masks and gloves stole approximately $200,000 in property from the QB’s residence.

Sanders was forced into action against the Ravens after Gabriel was ruled out at halftime. Cleveland’s crowd roared when he took the field and there were loud cheers for his completion. Sanders did not take any snaps with the Browns’ starting offense since being drafted and it showed.

He held onto the ball too long — a problem when he was in college — as the Ravens forced him out of the pocket. Sanders did make a couple of nice throws while trying to rally the Browns (2-8) in the closing moments and nearly threw a game-tying TD pass.

Afterward, Sanders was tough while grading his own performance.

“I don’t think I played good. I don’t think I played good — at all,” Sanders said. “I think it’s a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable.”

On Wednesday, Stefanski complimented Sanders’ resolve.

“Obviously he battled to the end,” he said. “We’re right there on that final drive. I think there’s so many things that all of us can do better in those moments so we can finish with a win but, man, all of our guys and then definitely Shedeur, they battled to the end.”

Stefanski said Sanders will get all the first-team reps in practice this week. The Browns had been criticized in some circles for not having the backup QB better prepared for his debut.

RAVENS QB LAMAR JACKSON MISSING DURING PORTION OF BALTIMORE’S PRACTICE OPEN TO REPORTERS

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from the portion of practice open to reporters, marking the second straight week he was missing for Wednesday’s session.

Jackson, who already missed three games this season because of a hamstring injury, was listed with a knee issue last week, but he was still able to play in Baltimore’s 23-16 win over Cleveland on Sunday. He threw for 193 yards and was sacked five times while also having two deflected passes intercepted.

Jackson ran for only 10 yards on four attempts in that game.

The Ravens host the New York Jets this weekend.

PRO PICKS: DESPERATE CHIEFS WILL BEAT THE COLTS TO GO BACK OVER .500

The Kansas City Chiefs are in an unfamiliar position with an even record, chasing a playoff spot.

The Indianapolis Colts are also in a new spot, leading a division they haven’t won since 2014.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (5-5) have no margin for error when they host Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and the Colts (8-2) at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday in the most intriguing matchup on the NFL’s Week 12 schedule.

Despite the record, oddsmakers still have confidence in Kansas City. The Chiefs are 3-point favorites over the Colts on BetMGM Sportsbook. And, they have the third-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +850 even though they’re currently outside the playoff picture.

It’s a near must-win for Mahomes and the Chiefs. Pro Picks favors the desperate team.

CHIEFS: 27-23

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-9) at DETROIT (6-4)

Line: Lions minus 10 1/2

The Giants’ biggest highlight of the week will be Cam Skattebo and teammates getting into it on WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.” The Lions need to get back on track after a lackluster offensive effort in Philadelphia. Back indoors, Jared Goff should rebound from a poor performance. Detroit’s defense stood out against the Eagles and now takes on the sluggish Giants offense. The Lions are 13-0 straight up and against the spread off a loss since November 2022.

BEST BET: LIONS: 33-17

ATLANTA (3-7) at NEW ORLEANS (2-8)

Line: Saints minus 1 1/2

Kirk Cousins returns to the starting lineup for the going-nowhere Falcons. Giving the ball to Bijan Robinson would be a wise game plan. The Saints are rested off a bye and looking for a second straight win behind rookie QB Tyler Shough.

UPSET SPECIAL: FALCONS: 22-20

BUFFALO (7-3) at HOUSTON (5-5)

Line: Bills minus 6

Josh Allen played like the reigning NFL MVP with a six-TD performance against Tampa Bay. The Texans are back in the playoff mix with consecutive wins behind backup Davis Mills. He’ll start again Thursday night with C.J. Stroud still recovering from a concussion but the Texans are first in scoring defense, giving up just 16.3 points per game. Allen is 24-5 straight up, 23-5-1 ATS against teams allowing fewer than 20 points per game.

BILLS: 23-16

MINNESOTA (4-6) at GREEN BAY (6-3-1)

Line: Packers minus 6 1/2

J.J. McCarthy has been inconsistent for the Vikings in a developmental year. They’ve won two straight games at Lambeau Field. Green Bay begins a stretch of three straight division games. The Packers have been inconsistent and haven’t looked dominant since beating the Lions in Week 1. Look for Jordan Love and the offense and Micah Parsons and the defense to put together a full game. Green Bay is 0-6 ATS this season as a favorite of four or more points.

PACKERS: 26-17

PITTSBURGH (6-4) at CHICAGO (7-3)

Line: Bears minus 2 1/2

Aaron Rodgers owned the Bears when he played for Green Bay. A wrist injury may prevent him from facing them with the Steelers. Mason Rudolph would start if Rodgers can’t go. The Bears have won seven of eight, lead the NFL with 22 takeaways and Caleb Williams and the rest of the offense are protecting the football. The Steelers have lost 14 straight games straight up and ATS as underdogs.

BEARS: 20-16

NEW ENGLAND (9-2) at CINCINNATI (3-7)

Line: Patriots minus 8 1/2

Drake Maye is playing at an MVP level and Mike Vrabel has restored winning to a once-proud franchise. The Patriots have won eight in a row. The Bengals are down to playing spoiler the rest of the way. Whether it’s Joe Flacco or Joe Burrow at QB, Ja’Marr Chase won’t be on the receiving end of passes because of a one-game suspension.

PATRIOTS: 30-18

SEATTLE (7-3) at TENNESSEE (1-9)

Line: Seahawks minus 13

Sam Darnold’s big-game struggles returned in a four-pick performance yet the Seahawks still had a chance to beat the Rams thanks to another stellar defensive performance. Cam Ward and the Titans have the worst offense in the NFL. They have no chance against Seattle.

SEAHAWKS: 27-6

NEW YORK JETS (2-8) at BALTIMORE (5-5)

Line: Ravens minus 13 1/2

Tyrod Taylor gets an opportunity for the Jets, who are already looking ahead to the draft. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are back from a 1-5 start and are just one game behind the Steelers. They can’t look past the Jets, especially not after having to rally to beat the Browns. Jackson is 16-11 ATS when the Ravens are favored by more than eight points, including five straight covers.

RAVENS: 34-10

JACKSONVILLE (6-4) at ARIZONA (3-7)

Line: Jaguars minus 2 1/2

The Jaguars are coming off their most impressive performance in a few years in a dominating win over the Chargers. They’ve lost four in a row to Arizona and have to avoid a letdown. Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett completed an NFL-record 47 passes in 57 attempts in a lopsided loss to the 49ers. He’ll need another prolific passing game to give Arizona a chance.

JAGUARS: 24-20

PHILADELPHIA (8-2) at DALLAS (4-5-1)

Line: Eagles minus 3 1/2

An elite defense is carrying Philadelphia while the offense still finds its way. Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith are too talented to continue to struggle. Lane Johnson’s injury is a tough blow for the offensive line. The Eagles are 15-24 without him. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys were excellent in a lopsided win at Las Vegas in the first game after teammate Marshawn Kneeland’s death. It’s a short turnaround for Dallas after an emotional two weeks. Prescott is 21-2 at home vs. the NFC East in his career, including 18 straight wins.

EAGLES: 24-20

CLEVELAND (2-8) at LAS VEGAS (2-8)

Line: Raiders minus 3 1/2

Shedeur Sanders will start his first NFL game for Cleveland after a miserable debut coming off the bench after Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion. Since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, they’re 0-17 in a quarterback’s first career start. But the Raiders are awful in Pete Carroll’s first season. They don’t do anything well. Geno Smith will see plenty of Myles Garrett in his face.

BROWNS: 16-14

TAMPA BAY (6-4) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-2)

Line: Rams minus 6 1/2

Baker Mayfield has done well leading an injury-riddled offense but the Buccaneers are having too many defensive breakdowns. They’re 2-4 against teams that currently have winning records. The Rams barely held on to beat Seattle behind another strong defensive effort. Matthew Stafford was out of sync against the Seahawks. He should get the offense going again against Tampa Bay’s defense.

RAMS: 27-22

CAROLINA (6-5) at SAN FRANCISCO (7-4)

Line: 49ers minus 7

Bryce Young is coming off a franchise-best 448-yard passing game and the Panthers are only a half-game behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South. Brock Purdy excelled in his return and the 49ers scored 41 points. The Niners need Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to keep producing to offset a depleted defense missing its two best players.

49ERS: 24-19

___

Last week: Straight up: 12-3. Against spread: 7-6-2.

Overall: Straight up: 118-45-1. Against spread: 84-77-3.

Prime time: Straight up: 23-14-1. Against spread: 17-21.

Best Bet: Straight up: 9-2. Against spread: 7-3-1.

Upset Special: Straight up: 8-3. Against spread: 8-3.

JETS’ AARON GLENN CONFIRMS THAT TYROD TAYLOR WILL START AT QUARTERBACK, JUSTIN FIELDS IS BENCHED

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn thought the New York Jets’ offense needed a boost, so he made a switch at quarterback.

The coach confirmed Wednesday that Tyrod Taylor will start over Justin Fields on Sunday at Baltimore when the Jets (2-8) take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (5-5).

“I felt like it was the time to do it,” Glenn said. “Had good conversations with both of those guys. And listen, these situations are not always easy. But as a head coach, you have to do what’s best for the team. And I feel like this was best for the team.”

The Jets are coming off a 27-14 loss at New England last Thursday night. Fields’ subpar play has been a major reason for the struggles of the passing offense, which ranks last in the NFL with 139.9 yards per game — 20 fewer than 31st-ranked Cleveland.

Fields was 15 of 26 for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots. For the season, he has passed for 1,259 yards — an average of just 140 yards per game — with seven touchdowns and one interception.

When first asked about the reason for the change, Glenn said: “Because I wanted to.”

Glenn had been tight-lipped on who the starter would be the past few weeks, refusing to announce who would be under center while citing not wanting to give opponents a competitive advantage. But reports surfaced Monday that Taylor was getting the nod over Fields, and Glenn spoke openly about his decision.

“I told you guys before that the players already knew — I just didn’t tell you guys that,” Glenn said. “So, there’s nothing strategic about that. The guys already knew.”

Taylor will make the 60th start of his 15-year NFL career and second this season. He was 26 of 36 for 197 yards and two TDs with one interception in a 29-27 loss at Tampa Bay on Sept. 21 when Fields was sidelined with a concussion.

Taylor most recently played on Oct. 19 against Carolina when Fields was benched at halftime. Taylor finished 10 of 22 for 126 yards with two INTs in the 13-6 loss.

“It was purely my decision, but I always have people that I talk to just to see how they handled situations,” Glenn said. “And it’s not even about the quarterback, to be honest. It’s just part of what I do during the week with some coaches that I trust that have been successful in this league. And some of those guys have been through the process of changing quarterbacks.

“Some of those guys have been through the process of being 2-8, the situation that we’re in, and how they handled that, and just a number of things. But it was purely my decision.”

Glenn said he would keep his conversations with both quarterbacks private, but added that Fields “obviously is not happy with the decision and I don’t expect him to be, but he understands.”

Fields will serve as Taylor’s backup on Sunday, but Glenn wouldn’t say whether it was Taylor’s job moving forward.

“We’re playing the Ravens this week,” Glenn said, “so Tyrod’s our starting quarterback.”

JOSH ALLEN, BILLS FACE CHALLENGE AGAINST TEXANS’ TOP-RANKED DEFENSE ON THURSDAY NIGHT

HOUSTON (AP) — Josh Allen had one of the best games of his career last week, throwing three touchdown passes and running for three more scores to lead the Buffalo Bills to a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But as Allen and the Bills (7-3) prepared to visit the Houston Texans (5-5) on Thursday night, the reigning NFL MVP was reminded of a game that was decidedly not among his best.

Last season Allen threw for just 131 yards and had three straight incompletions on Buffalo’s last possession to force the Bills to punt and the Texans got a 23-20 win on a last-second field goal.

“I got beat up that game. Didn’t play well at all,” Allen said. “Watching that film, there’s a lot of good stuff to watch from that film but it’s hard to watch. I played pretty badly. So yeah, hopefully we can go out there and play a little bit better and move the ball a little better.”

It won’t be an easy task against a defense that allows the fewest yards (258.1) and points (16.3) in the NFL.

“We’re gonna have our hands full,” Allen said.

Houston defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who forced and recovered a fumble last week, knows the Texans will have to be at their best to slow down Allen.

“MVP, he’s a playmaker,” Anderson said. “We have a ton of respect for him … so for us, I think it’s just everybody being on the same page, especially us up front. It’s going to be a great challenge for us. But this is what the league is for. This is what these moments are for, Thursday night game, in front of the whole world, going against a really great team. How else would you want it?

The Texans will continue to lean on their defense this week with quarterback C.J. Stroud out for a third straight game recovering from a concussion. Davis Mills will get another start after leading Houston to wins over Jacksonville and Tennessee with strong fourth-quarter performances.

“Davis is doing his job,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I know it gets heightened with the quarterback position, but it’s no different than any other position. You’ve got to go out, you’ve got to execute the fundamentals, the details of your job the right way. That’s what he’s done. That’s all we’re asking him to do.”

No fond memories

Bills second-year safety Cole Bishop shrugged and said “No,” when asked if Houston held a special place in his mind after making his first career start in last season’s loss to the Texans.

It might be good to forget, given he was burned a few times while filling in for injured starter Taylor Rapp. Bishop’s made a great leap in development in winning the starting job out of training camp this season.

He has three interceptions, including one in each of Buffalo’s past two outings, playing alongside veteran Jordan Poyer.

“I don’t know if validation is necessarily the word, but proving myself right feels good,” Bishop said.

Nico’s work

Houston’s Nico Collins has had two of his best games of the season in the past two weeks. He had a season-high 136 yards receiving two weeks ago and added 92 yards receiving with a touchdown in a 16-13 win over the Titans last week. Those performances came after he had just 154 yards receiving combined in the three previous games.

“Nico’s done a great job of executing and making some big plays, he’s a great player,” offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “We’re always trying to keep him at the focal point of our offense, and we love getting him the ball. He makes plays. He’s got aggressive hands. He’s a dynamic playmaker. So, that doesn’t change from week to week for us.”

Coleman comeback?

Bills coach Sean McDermott said he’s moved on in reference to sitting out Keon Coleman against Tampa Bay after the second-year receiver was late to a meeting last week. It’s the second time Coleman’s missed time this season, and third time of his career, for showing up late for meetings.

What McDermott wouldn’t say is whether Coleman would return to action on Thursday.

“We’ll see how it goes,” McDermott said on Monday.

“It ultimately becomes about developing trust and the trust that your teammates have in you,” he added. “And that trust builds through repetition and consistency. So that’s the direction that we need him to go, and we believe he will go.”

Coming back

The Texans expect to get kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn back Thursday after the veteran missed the past two games with a quadriceps injury. Houston signed Matthew Wright to fill in while Fairbairn was injured and he made four field goals in two games, including the game-winner last week.

ALLEN, BILLS VISIT HOUSTON TEXANS IN THURSDAY NIGHT CLASH WHERE STROUD WILL SIT OUT AGAIN

Buffalo (7-3) at Houston (5-5)

Thursday 8:15 p.m. EST, Amazon Prime.

BetMGM NFL Odds: Bills by 5 1/2.

Against the spread: Bills 5-5; Texans 4-6.

Series record: Texans lead 7-5.

Last meeting: Texans beat Bills 23-20 in Houston on Oct. 6, 2024.

Last week: Bills beat Buccaneers 44-32 at home; Texans beat Titans 16-13 in Nashville.

Bills offense: overall (2), rush (1), pass (8), scoring (4t).

Bills defense: overall (12), rush (31), pass (2), scoring (14).

Texans offense: overall (19), rush (23), pass (16), scoring (21).

Texans defense: overall (1), rush (3), pass (3), scoring (1).

Turnover differential: Bills-plus 1; Texans-plus 7.

Bills player to watch

WR Gabe Davis. The expectation is Davis being promoted off the practice squad for a second straight outing after showing an immediate rapport with quarterback Josh Allen. Davis caught three of four attempts thrown his way for 40 yards in his season debut. The sixth-year player spent his first four NFL seasons in Buffalo before playing for Jacksonville last season. His time with the Jaguars was cut short by a knee injury.

Texans player to watch

QB Davis Mills will get his third straight start with C.J. Stroud still recovering from a concussion he sustained Nov. 2. Mills has had his ups and downs in his first two starts since 2022, but he’s managed to make plays down the stretch to lead Houston to consecutive wins. He threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score in the fourth quarter to help the Texans rally from a 19-point deficit for a 36-29 victory over the Jaguars. Last week he threw for 274 yards and a touchdown and led a drive that ended with a game-winning field goal in a 16-13 win over the Titans.

Key matchup

Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Houston’s top-rated defense. Allen is coming off a win over Tampa Bay where he threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more scores. Now he’ll face a defense that is allowing the fewest yards (258.1) and points (16.3) in the NFL. He struggled in a loss to the Texans last season when he threw for just 131 yards, which was his lowest output of the season aside from the regular-season finale where he played just one snap. The game was tied late when Allen threw three straight incompletions to force the Bills to punt and the Texans won it on a last-second field goal.

Key injuries

Bills: TE Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) has been ruled out and will miss a second game. … Also ruled out are WR Curtis Samuel (elbow/neck) and WR/returner Mecole Hardman because of a calf injury sustained in his Bills debut on Sunday. … LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring) doesn’t carry an injury designation and is in line to return after missing three games.

Texans: S Jalen Pitre will also miss a third straight game recovering from a concussion. … K Ka’imi Fairbairn is expected to return Thursday after missing two games with a quadriceps injury.

Series notes

Houston has won three of the past four in the series, including a 22-19 overtime victory in the wild-card round in 2020. … Buffalo’s most recent win in the series was a 40-0 rout in 2021. …These teams first met in Houston’s first season in 2002 when the Bills got a 31-24 win. … The Texans won three in a row from 2009-14 for the longest winning streak in the series.

Stats and stuff

The Bills have split their first four prime-time outings this season. Buffalo is 6-1 playing on Thursday night since 2017, including a 31-21 win over Miami in Week 3. … Bills coach Sean McDermott won his 100th game (including playoffs), in becoming the NFL’s sixth coach to reach that milestone in his first nine seasons, joining Paul Brown, George Seifert, John Madden, Joe Gibbs and Mike McCarthy. … With 75 regular-season rushing touchdowns, Allen is tied with Cam Newton for the NFL record for quarterbacks. … Allen’s 213 regular-season touchdown passes are tied with Brett Favre for fifth-most by a player over his first eight seasons. He trails Patrick Mahomes (245), Peyton Manning (244), Dan Marino (241) and Russell Wilson (227). … With two interceptions on Sunday, Allen improved to 46-30 in games he commits a turnover (interception or fumble) and 20-19 with two or more giveaways. By comparison, he’s 37-7 when not committing a turnover. … Buffalo is 6-0 this season when RB James Cook scores a TD this season. … The Bills have allowed 17 TDs rushing this season, four more than all of last season. … Second-year safety Cole Bishop has three interceptions this season, including one in each of Buffalo’s past two games. The second-round draft pick made his first career start in Buffalo’s loss at Houston last season. … Texans rookie RB Woody Marks has three rushing TDs at home this season. … WR Nico Collins had nine catches for 92 yards and a touchdown last week. He had 78 yards receiving and a score in his previous game against Buffalo. … Rookie WR Jayden Higgins had four catches for 55 yards last week. … TE Dalton Schultz had six receptions for 51 yards last week for his third straight game with at least six catches and 50 yards. … DE Will Anderson Jr. had four tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last week. He’s tied for seventh in the NFL with eight sacks this season. … DE Danielle Hunter had four tackles and 1 1/2 sacks last week. He is tied for fourth in the NFL with nine sacks this season. … LB Azeez Al-Shaair had six tackles last week for his third straight game with at least six tackles. … CB Kamari Lassiter has had a pass defensed in seven straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. … CB Derek Stingley had four tackles and a pass defensed last week. He has a pass defensed in eight of the past nine games.

Fantasy tip

Collins is a favorite option of Mills and has had 16 receptions for 228 yards combined in the past two games.

JAXSON DART IS PROGRESSING TOWARD PLAYING FOR THE GIANTS AT DETROIT, INTERIM COACH MIKE KAFKA SAYS

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jaxson Dart continues to progress through concussion protocol, and New York Giants interim coach Mike Kafka said the rookie quarterback is trending toward playing Sunday at Detroit as long as there are no setbacks in the process.

Kafka said Dart would go through a non-contact practice Wednesday, but would not reveal whether he or veteran Jameis Winston would get the majority of snaps with the first-team offense. Dart missed the game last weekend against the Packers, a 27-20 loss that Winston started, after getting concussed Nov. 9 in a loss to Chicago.

Kafka confirmed the plan is for Winston to serve as the backup against the Lions if Dart is cleared to start, which is the Giants’ plan rather than taking a conservative approach and holding the 22-year-old out until Dec. 1 at New England.

“If he’s healthy and cleared to go, then I’d like Jaxson Dart to play,” Kafka said. “Only if he’s healthy and ready to go, and that’s based on what the doctors have to say.”

Practicing without contact is a phase of the NFL’s concussion protocol, though QBs are never subject to being hit in these circumstances.

Returning from a concussion after missing a game is another new challenge for Dart, who took over for Russell Wilson after an 0-3 start and is expected to pick up his development as he left off with New York at 2-9 and playing out the string.

“I don’t want to speak for Jaxson, but he’s a pretty smart player and he was dialed in to our game plans last week,” Kafka said. “He’s been preparing like this, even early in the season when he wasn’t the starter, so I wouldn’t expect anything different.”

CARDINALS RULE OUT MARVIN HARRISON JR., EMARI DEMERCADO

The Arizona Cardinals ruled out wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and running back Emari Demarco for their game Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

Also on Wednesday, the Cardinals opened the 21-day practice window for running back Trey Benson and signed punter Matt Haack to replace the released Pat O’Donnell.

Harrison will miss his second straight game following appendix surgery, while Demercado sustained a high-ankle sprain in last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Benson has been on injured reserve since Oct. 1 following arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. Coach Jonathan Gannon said Benson would be evaluated “day by day” before the Cardinals (3-7) decide to activate him to face the Jaguars (6-4).

Harrison, 23, has 34 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns in nine starts this season.

Demercado, 26, has rushed for 241 yards in nine games to go along with eight catches for 64 yards and a TD.

Benson, 23, has rushed for 160 yards and has 13 receptions for 64 yards in four games (one start).

Haack, 31, played in 103 games with five teams from 2017-24, averaging 39.7 net yards per punt. He spent time on the Cardinals’ roster during the 2023 preseason.

REPORTS: WR BRANDIN COOKS WAIVED BY SAINTS

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks’ second stint with the New Orleans Saints has come to an end, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday.

Per NewOrleans Football, Cooks renegotiated his contract to facilitate his release. The terms of that agreement were not known, however.

Cooks, who played with New Orleans in his first three NFL seasons, has 19 catches for 165 yards while playing in all 10 games (three starts) in 2025.

Cooks, 32, has totaled 729 receptions for 9,697 yards and 60 touchdowns in 168 career games (147 starts) with the Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Saints. He was selected by New Orleans with the 20th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

BENGALS CLEAR TE MIKE GESICKI TO RETURN TO PRACTICE

The Cincinnati Bengals cleared tight end Mike Gesicki and safety Daijahn Anthony to return to practice on Wednesday.

Gesicki has been on injured reserve since Oct. 15 with a pectoral injury and Anthony has been on the list since Aug. 26 with a hamstring injury.

Gesicki, 30, caught eight passes for 61 yards in six games (one start) before sustaining the injury in a Week 6 loss at Green Bay.

He has 333 catches for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns in 121 games (45 starts) for the Miami Dolphins (2018-22), New England Patriots (2023) and Bengals.

Anthony, 25, was a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and appeared in 13 games as a rookie, totaling three tackles and one pass defensed.

The Bengals (3-7) host the New England Patriots (9-2) on Sunday.

The Bengals have a 21-day window to elevate the players to the 53-man active roster or shut them down for the rest of the season.

KEN ANDERSON, ROGER CRAIG AMONG 9 SENIORS SEMIFINALISTS FOR PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME’S 2026 CLASS

Former MVP Ken Anderson, versatile running back Roger Craig and former AFL star Otis Taylor are among the nine semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 in the seniors category.

A blue-ribbon committee reduced the list down from 34 candidates of players who last could have appeared in a professional football game in the 2000 season.

The committee will cut down the list to three finalists who will advance to voting by the full selection committee to be conducted before the Super Bowl in February. There also will be 15 modern-era finalists, one coach and one contributor for the Class of 2026. Between four and eight new members will be elected in the second year of this current format.

The other semifinalists are former star receivers Henry Ellard and Stanley Morgan; special teams standout Steve Tasker; defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood, offensive lineman Joe Jacoby; and cornerback Eddie Meador.

The candidates revealed Wednesday didn’t include returning finalists Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer, who were eliminated in the latest voting.

Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler for Cincinnati and won the MVP in 1981, when he helped the Bengals reach their first Super Bowl before losing to San Francisco. When Anderson retired after the 1986 season, he ranked sixth all time with 32,838 yards passing and 13th with 197 TD passes.

Craig was a key part of San Francisco’s dynasty in the 1980s with his ability as a physical runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. Craig was the first player ever to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, which happened in 1985, and he led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988 when he helped the 49ers win the Super Bowl.

Craig also was part of the title-winning teams in San Francisco in the 1984 and 1989 seasons. His 410 yards from scrimmage in those Super Bowl wins are the third-most ever behind Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Franco Harris.

Taylor spent his entire 11-year career with Kansas City, earning All-Pro honors in the AFL in 1966 and NFL in 1971. He led the AFL with 11 TD catches in 1967 and the NFL with 1,110 yards in 1971. He finished his career with 410 catches for 7,306 yards and 57 TDs and caught a touchdown pass to help the Chiefs win the Super Bowl following the 1969 season.

Ellard was a two-time All-Pro with the Rams and finished his 16-year career with 814 catches for 13,777 yards and 65 TDs.

Morgan spent most of his career with New England and is still the Patriots all-time leader with 10,352 yards receiving. His 19.2 yards per reception is the best ever among all 181 players with at least 500 receptions.

Tasker excelled on coverage of punts and kicks, recording seven blocked kicks and catching nine TD passes as a receiver on offense. He helped Buffalo win four straight AFC title games before losing in the Super Bowl and made seven Pro Bowls in his 13-year career.

Greenwood was a key part of Pittsburgh’s famed “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s, earning two All-Pro honors and being part of four Super Bowl champions.

Jacoby was a two-time All-Pro and a main member of “The Hogs” offensive line that helped Washington win three Super Bowl titles.

Meador played with the Rams from 1959-70 and was an all-decade selection for the 1960s. He was a two-time All-Pro and finished his career with 46 interceptions.

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