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

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.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that wide receiver Drake London will take part in practice on Wednesday. London has not played in a month while dealing with a PCL sprain. His return to practice is a good sign that he could play in Sunday’s game against Arizona.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters Wednesday that wide receiver Rashee Rice reported concussion symptoms Monday and entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Despite playing in only eight games during the 2025 campaign — after serving a six-game suspension — Rice leads all Chiefs wideouts this season with 53 receptions and 571 receiving yards. His five touchdown grabs are tied for a team high.

Rick Burkholder, Kansas City Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance, said Wednesday that Patrick Mahomes’ recovery is expected to take approximately nine months, however, Burkholder also noted that it could be a month or two shorter or a month or two longer before Mahomes works his way back, according to The Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell.

Mahomes is healing up from a torn ACL in his left knee. The three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP quarterback reportedly had his LCL repaired during a Monday procedure as well.

Cleveland released the pre-practice injury report and does not expect defensive end Myles Garrett to practice today, although he is not listed as injured. Garrett needs just one more sack to tie the single-season sack record (22.5) currently held by former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (2001) and Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt (2021).

Other players not expected to practice include:

Tackle Jack Conklin (concussion), defensive tackle Mike Hall (illness), guard Teven Jenkins (shoulder), tight end David Njoku (knee), running back Dylan Sampson (hand), and cornerback Denzel Ward (calf).

The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. Rookie Quinn Ewers will start in his place against the Bengals.

Tagovailoa has struggled for the 6-8 Dolphins this season, leading the league in interceptions with 15. He’s completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The Dolphins drafted Ewers out of Texas in the seventh round of this year’s draft, and he saw playing time on Oct. 19 against the Browns, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards. Miami brought in Zach Wilson as Tagovailoa’s backup, but Ewers will get the starting opportunity after impressing in camp and the preseason.

The Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention on Monday night, but could still impact the race with games against the Buccaneers and Patriots upcoming.

The Miami Dolphins have released veteran pass rusher Matt Judon, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Judon played in 13 games for Miami this season and recorded 19 tackles, 3 QB hits and 1 pass defended.

The New York Jets have signed tight end Jeremy Ruckert to a two-year contract extension worth $10 million, with the ability to reach $11 million. Ruckert is a fourth-year player out of Ohio State who was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jets.

The Miami Dolphins are crumbling. With three weeks left in the regular season, the Dolphins have nothing to play for, and that could lead to a major change at quarterback.

Tua Tagovailoa’s days as the team’s starter might be numbered following his poor performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. When asked about the position Tuesday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel hinted at a possible benching for Tagovailoa moving forward.

Both Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) and Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) didn’t practice today for the Packers. Jacobs had a significant limp in the locker room, and had a brace around his knee. Their status for Saturday night’s game against the Chicago Bears is still unknown.

The Buffalo Bills have signed veteran kicker Michael Badgley to the practice squad in the absence of kicker Matt Prater, who is dealing with a quad injury. Badgley appeared in seven games with the Colts this season, making 10 of his 11 field goal attempts. He converted 13 of 15 extra point attempts.

Cincinnati has claimed former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams off waivers. Williams appeared in eight games with the Steelers this season.