NFL Reviewing Buccaneers Devin White Injury Report Issue
DECEMBER 20: The NFL is reviewing the Buccaneers’ injury report regarding White, Stroud tweets. The Bucs did not downgrade White from questionable to out, despite Bowles having doubled down on indicating the linebacker informed him before Sunday he was unable to go in Week 15.
Bowles said (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) White was medically cleared to play but that the fifth-year linebacker “didn’t feel right” and informed the second-year HC he would be unable to suit up. Conversations lasted until Sunday morning, per Bowles, who added White did not find out he was officially inactive until the Bucs arrived at Lambeau Field. White’s foot injury has lingered for a while, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The NFL will determine if the Bucs proceeded within the rules regarding White’s status.
DECEMBER 19: Devin White‘s future in Tampa Bay was a talking point this offseason, and that appears to be the case once again. The Pro Bowl linebacker was inactive in Week 15, and questions have emerged regarding his health status and role with the team to close out the campaign. 
White and the Buccaneers did not reach agreement on a long-term deal, which prompted a trade request. The former top-five pick ultimately arrived at minicamp and training camp, though, and committed to playing out the season on his $11.7MM fifth-year option. When speaking about his financial situation, White expressed a desire to remain in Tampa Bay for years to come.
A foot injury has left the 25-year-old out of the lineup since November, but he appeared to be in line to return in time for the team’s Week 15 win against the Packers. White was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday, but he did not suit up for the game. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times was among those who reported White told the team he was unable to play not due to the injury but rather because he found out K.J. Britt would remain in the starting lineup in his place.
When asked about White’s status, head coach Todd Bowles pushed back on those reports. Bowles said White informed the coaching staff of his status on Saturday morning, which would mean the injury was sufficient to keep him out of the lineup in any capacity. Over the remaining three weeks of the season, the LSU alum’s health and place in the lineup will certainly be worth watching.
“When Devin gets healthy, we’ll rotate the players and see how it goes,” Bowles said of the Bucs’ inside linebacker setup, which includes White, Britt and stalwart Lavonte David (h/t Stroud’s colleague Kristie Ackert). Britt, a fifth-round pick in 2021, has made the only three starts of his career this season. He has set a new personal mark with 24 tackles in 14 games while remaining a core special teamer.
White has filled the statsheet during his tenure, recording at least 124 stops each season between 2020-22. He has amassed 22.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and 18 pass breakups over the course of his career, but those figures have not translated into strong PFF grades. Issues in coverage in particular have hurt White’s PFF evaluation, and Britt’s consistent play in his stead could hurt his leverage during contract talks.
White was reported to be seeking top-five compensation amongst inside linebackers, and the way in which 2023 has played out will make it difficult for him to attain that. Especially if he remains out of the lineup through the rest of the season (or returns as a rotational player, rather than a full-time starter), a departure in free agency would come as little surprise.
Falcons Intend To Start Taylor Heinicke For Rest Of Season
DECEMBER 20: If the Falcons are to make a late run to the playoffs, Heinicke will be leading the way. Smith said the team will go with the former Washington starter the rest of the way. When Smith benched Ridder the first time, he kept the door open for a return. While the Falcons reinstalled Ridder as their starter, it appears the second-year passer — anointed as the starter back in March — is not in the team’s plans to close out this season. With Smith uncertain to be retained for 2024, plenty rides on Heinicke.
DECEMBER 19: In the aftermath of the Falcons’ loss on Sunday, head coach Arthur Smith said a quarterback change was being contemplated. After going back to Desmond Ridder, Atlanta is now set to hand the reins to Taylor Heinicke once again. 
The latter will get the start in Week 16, Josh Kendall and Jeff Schultz of The Athletic report (subscription required). That comes as no surprise after Smith’s remarks left the door open to Heinicke being reinstalled as the No. 1 for at least the time being. Ridder was given the starting role back after the Falcons’ bye week, and the team intended for that decision to apply through the remainder of the campaign.
However, the 2022 third-rounder has not improved as hoped during his second stint as a starter. Ridder has committed 16 turnovers this season, including six in the red zone. As a result, Atlanta sits at 6-8 on the year and is in danger of missing out on the postseason. A late switch back to Heinicke could provide more stability under center down the stretch.
After putting Ridder atop the depth chart for the final four games of his rookie season, the Falcons gave him a vote of confidence. The decision to sign Heinicke to a two-year, $14MM deal in the offseason was aimed at providing experienced depth, although the starter’s job was certainly not set in stone entering the season. With Ridder struggling to make the Year 2 jump, Heinicke earned a pair of starts midway through the season after replacing Ridder at halftime the game before.
In his time at the helm (which was cut short by a hamstring injury), Heinicke posted a passer rating of 84.2, the second-lowest of his career. The former Commanders starter committed only one turnover in that span, however, so he could provide a higher floor than Ridder against the Colts this week. Fighting for both the top spot in the NFC South as well as a wild-card spot, the Falcons will need a rebound from last week’s poor offensive showing to keep their postseason chances alive.
The team faces the possibility of missing the playoffs for a third straight season under head coach Arthur Smith. In spite of that, the latest reporting on the matter points to Atlanta retaining him for next season. As The Athletic report notes, however, Smith’s job security may become dependent on a plan to acquire a new starter under center despite both Ridder and Heinicke being on the books beyond 2023. Neither passer has done enough to lay claim to a permanent No. 1 role to date, but Heinicke will get another opportunity to do so this Sunday.
Packers DC Joe Barry To Remain In Place Through 2023 Season
The Packers’ defense had another poor outing in Week 15, a game in which Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield posted a perfect passer rating. That has led to a fresh round of questions regarding defensive coordinator Joe Barry‘s job security, but it remains intact for the time being. 
When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Matt LaFleur said Barry will continue as the unit’s coordinator and play-caller through the remainder of the 2023 season. The latter is in his third season at the helm of Green Bay’s defense, and the team’s performances on that side of the ball have increasingly come under scrutiny. Sunday’s 34-20 loss marked the latest example of defensive struggles, but LaFleur remains committed to the status quo.
“If I thought that was the best solution today, then we’d make that decision,” he said, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, of a potential DC change. “But when you’re having basic communication problems and you’re supposed to be in a certain coverage or a certain rotation and we’re not getting that communication, that’s what’s so disappointing to me is the fact that it was poor communication.”
LaFleur (who added he will have a larger hand in defensive preparations this week) has not made an in-season change to his staff during his tenure in Green Bay. He gave Barry a vote of confidence multiple times this offseason, despite a pair of campaigns with mediocre results. Expectations have been high for the Packers given their sustained draft investments on defense, but the team has once again not delivered on them in 2023. Green Bay currently sits 17th in the league in points allowed per game (21.5) and 23rd in yards surrendered (350).
Once again, run defense has been a sore spot. Green Bay has given up 139 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 30th in the NFL. The secondary – a unit which has been without cornerback Jaire Alexander for the past six games and saw Rasul Douglas traded away at the deadline – has fared better, but frustration still exists amongst the players. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell took to social media on Tuesday to voice his displeasure with his own situation, which has included playing through injury in recent weeks.
A report from the summer indicated 2023 would likely be Barry’s final season in Green Bay barring a turnaround. Improvement has not taken place in a number of areas, but the 53-year-old still has the public backing of his head coach. It will be interesting to see if that remains the case after the campaign has come to an end.
Seahawks’ Geno Smith To Play In Week 15
6:58PM: With less than twenty minutes until kickoff, Smith has been nonexistent on the sidelines leading up to the game. Lock has been taking all starting reps in the pregame warmups, and all signs are pointing to Lock starting under center tonight. Smith will supposedly be available off the bench, but after not appearing in warmups at all, he likely will sit through tonight’s game.
5:53PM: Seattle faced the possibility of a second straight contest without Geno Smith, but that will not be the case. The Seahawks’ starting quarterback will suit up for tonight’s game against the Eagles, per a team announcement. 
Seattle is dressing three quarterbacks tonight, so it remains to be seen if Smith will get the start. His availability has been a question mark throughout the week while recovering from the groin injury which left him sidelined for the previous contest. After extra work pregame to test out his mobility, though, he will at least be available in some capacity.
If Smith isn’t able to start tonight, Drew Lock will earn his second straight start of the year. Lock faced a tall task in replacement duty last week during the team’s trip to San Francisco. Still, he performed admirably, completing 22 of his 31 pass attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns while tossing two interceptions. With Smith being limited in practice throughout the week, Lock has gotten a good amount of run with the starters this week and should be well-prepared to run the first-team offense, if necessary.
General manager John Schneider told the media today that “Smith surprised them with his ability to move in pre-game workouts” after Smith aggravated the injury in practice this week, per Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. With the Seahawks currently sitting just outside a Wild Card playoff spot at 6-7, and a logjam of 7-7 teams ahead of them, each game is getting closer and closer to must-win territory, so Smith and Seattle have every reason to want him back in as soon as possible.
In the hours leading up to the game, though, only Lock and third-string quarterback Sean Mannion have been seen in warmups. It’s extremely rare to see a player not participate in pre-game warmups then go on and play, but nothing is impossible. The best guess without waiting for confirmation, is that Smith will be available off the bench in case of an emergency situation, but Lock will start the game with Mannion as his backup, officially.
Chiefs Place WR Skyy Moore On IR
The Chiefs snapped a two-game losing skid on Sunday, but the team’s pass-catching corps will be shorthanded through the remainder of the regular season. Wideout Skyy Moore has been placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, per a team announcement. 
As a result of the move, Moore is now guaranteed to miss at least the next four weeks. Kansas City will need to reach the divisional round of the playoffs to have the second-year pass-catcher available at the earliest point he will be eligible to return. Moore’s absence will leave the defending champions shorthanded at the receiver position, one which has been a sore spot during the year.
Kanas City has struggled to establish a consistent No. 2 option in the passing game to complement tight end Travis Kelce. Moore is one of many recent draft investments made at the position aimed at rectifying that, having been selected in the second round last April. He occupied a rotational role as a rookie, but his workload has increased significantly in Year 2 with a 53% snap share.
Moore has not managed to carve out a substantial role in the team’s offense, however, having drawn more than five targets only once this season. The Western Michigan product recorded 70 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, but he has not posted more than 42 yards in a game or found the end zone since then. Overall, he has made 21 catches for 244 yards, making him one of several players to have posted middling numbers for Kansas City.
The team still sits fifth in the league in passing yards per game, though, due in large part to Kelce’s continued high-end play. Second-round rookie Rashee Rice has also come on strong as of late, totaling 334 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions over the past four game. With Moore out of the picture for the time being, the Kelce-Rice pairing will be leaned on more heavily as Kansas City continues to push for the top seed in the AFC.
Yesterday’s win improved the Chiefs’ record to 9-5, putting them one game behind the Dolphins and two behind the Ravens for the conference’s only bye during the wild-card round. As things stand, Kansas City would need to at least begin the postseason without Moore in the lineup, however. The team currently has six IR activations remaining.
Texans Claim DT Teair Tart Off Waivers
Teair Tart saw his time with the Titans come to an end last week, but he will remain in the AFC South. The veteran defensive tackle has been claimed off waivers by the Texans, per the transactions wire. 
Tart was playing on a $4.3MM RFA tender this season, having established himself as a key member of Tennessee’s defensive interior. Tension with the team resulted in his dismissal, however, leaving teams around the league free to add him by putting in a claim. Houston sat around the middle of the waiver priority with a record of 8-6, meaning many other clubs elected to pass on him.
Tart, 26, joined the Titans as a UDFA and he has played all 45 of his career games with the franchise. Due to reach free agency this offseason, though, he will now have the opportunity to boost his stock late in 2023. Tennessee – a team which, in the absence of Tart and fellow D-lineman Jeffery Simmons – allowed 148 yards on the ground yesterday in an overtime loss to Houston. That game eliminated the Titans from playoff contention, but the Texans are still in the mix for both the AFC South title and a wild-card berth.
Houston has posted middling numbers in both total and scoring defense so far this season, but the unit has held up well against the run. The Texans have allowed an average of 93.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranks sixth in the NFL. Houston held Derrick Henry and the Titans to just 66 rushing yards yesterday, showcasing the team’s strength up front without Tart in the lineup. His addition will provide a starting-caliber option up front, though.
The Florida International alum has posted 21 tackles and one sack this season, one in which he has missed time due to injuries. Tart generated a strong PFF evaluation last year en route to earning a raise through the RFA tender, but his 2023 grade (57.6) falls in line with his other NFL campaigns. Improving on that figure late in the season could help his market in the offseason while also boosting the Texans’ defensive front.
Falcons Undecided On Week 16 Starting QB
The Falcons’ decision to give the starting role back to Desmond Ridder after their bye week was intended to put the team’s quarterback questions to rest for the rest of the season. In the wake of yesterday’s loss, however, that may not be the case. 
Ridder was benched in place of Taylor Heinicke after struggling to make the Year 2 jump many young passers experience. The former has received the confidence of Atlanta’s staff, however, and he was reinstalled as the No. 1 for Week 12 and beyond. Ridder underwhelmed in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, and a late red zone interception set up Carolina’s game-winning field goal.
That continued a concerning trend in the turnover department for Ridder, who has thrown at least one interception in nine games this season and each of his last four. The 2022 third-rounder has also fumbled 11 times, adding to the argument Atlanta should seek out a replacement this offseason. For the time being, another evaluation will take place at the position, head coach Arthur Smith said on Monday.
Smith answered no when asked if third-stringer Logan Woodside was under consideration to get the start in Week 16, and he confirmed the same is true of an outside addition. Just like earlier in the year, therefore, the current decision will come down to Ridder or Heinicke as Atlanta looks to remain in contention for an NFC playoff berth. The latter has put up underwhelming numbers when on the field in his debut Falcons season (55.4% completion percentage, 498 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception).
A hamstring injury ended Heinicke’s run as starter, but he is healthy now. The former Commanders starter has more experience than Ridder, and the team could opt to give him the starter’s role down the stretch in a bid to reduce turnovers while competing for the NFC South title. The Falcons sit at 6-8, one game behind both the Buccaneers and Saints. They are also in the mix for a wild-card spot, but improvement on offense will likely be needed to reach the postseason.
Heinicke is on the books through 2024 after he signed an incentive-laden deal this past offseason. Ridder’s rookie contract, meanwhile, runs one year longer. With commitments to both passers beyond this season, Atlanta’s plans for the immediate future will be worth watching closely.
Vikings To Start Nick Mullens In Week 16
The Vikings’ playoff prospects took a hit on Saturday, but a quarterback change does not appear to be imminent. Minnesota is expected to stick with Nick Mullens as the starter under center, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has since confirmed the news.
Mullens started in Week 15 against the Bengals after taking over from Josh Dobbs midway through the previous game. The move came as little surprise given the latter’s struggles after a surprisingly impressive first few contests in Minnesota, and the former’s status as Kirk Cousins‘ backup to begin the year. Mullens missed time due to a back injury which coincided with Cousins’ Achilles tear, but he is now in place to finish the campaign atop the depth chart.
“The biggest thing is Nick showed he can execute our offense and really move the football team,” O’Connell said, via Fowler’s colleague Kevin Seifert. “I think what we’ve got to continue to work through are those plays where we don’t try to do too much.”
O’Connell stopped short of naming Mullens the starter for the rest of the season, so a game-to-game approach will remain in place for the time being. The 28-year-old threw for 303 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 26-of-33 passing in the Vikings’ loss to the Bengals, but he also had a pair of interceptions. Mullens was stopped on a key fourth-and-one in overtime, which set up Cincinnati’s game-winning field goal. While there is room for improvement, Mullens will have the opportunity to rebound in Week 16.
The Vikings are set to play the Lions for the first of two meetings in the final three weeks of the season, and winning against the NFC North leaders will be critical to Minnesota’s playoff chances. The Vikings sit at 7-7 on the year, putting them in contention for a wild-card berth. With wideout Justin Jefferson back in the lineup, the team’s offense could deliver strong showings in the passing game with Mullens at the helm down the stretch.
The former UDFA is under contract through 2024, making his future much more certain than that of Cousins. The latter is set to hit free agency this offseason, though the Vikings are open to another new contract with the four-time Pro Bowler. Regardless of what happens on that front, Mullens could earn the No. 2 job moving forward (a spot rookie Jaren Hall will be competing for) with a strong showing in his temporary period as a starter.
Chargers To Sign Will Grier Off Patriots’ Practice Squad, Waive Max Duggan
In the wake of losing Justin Herbert for the season, the Chargers are set to make alterations to their quarterback depth chart. Easton Stick is in place as the starter, but a new backup option has arrived. 
Los Angeles is signing Will Grier off the Patriots’ practice squad, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. In a corresponding move, he reports, the Chargers are waiving rookie Max Duggan. The latter will be retained via the practice squad if he goes unclaimed.
Grier was let go by the Cowboys during roster cutdowns, which led to a brief stint on the Bengals’ taxi squad. Jake Browning won out the competition for Cincinnati’s backup role, however, which led Grier to New England as one of several experiments under center. While New England has struggled to find consistency at the QB spot, the 28-year-old has not seen the field this season. The Patriots did not see Grier or undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham as viable starting options, and both are now out of the organization.
Grier was one of many backup/third-string passers to be waived by the Patriots earlier in the year, and he will now join the Chargers in search of potential playing time. The West Virginia product has seen regular season action only twice in his career, during his rookie campaign with the Panthers in 2019. He will look to play his way into a deal with Los Angeles or another interested team this offseason by undertaking a late-season change of scenery.
Duggan enjoyed an impressive final season in college, leading TCU to the national title game last season. His performance with the Horned Frogs only led him to be drafted in the seventh round, however, and the 22-year-old was waived during roster cutdowns. He has remained in the Chargers’ organization since, and that will remain the case presuming no teams put in a claim for him.
Stick threw three touchdowns but also had one interception and a pair of fumbles in the Chargers’ primetime blowout loss to the Raiders in his first career start. That game marked the end of head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco‘s tenures, and it has now prompted a new face being brought in at the QB spot.
Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell Suffers ACL Tear
1:25pm: An MRI confirmed Mitchell suffered a torn ACL, Rapoport tweets. The news confirms he will be out for the year, though Rapoport notes a full recovery is expected.
9:47am: The Ravens became the first AFC team to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, but the team lost another key offensive contributor in the process. Running back Keaton Mitchell is out for the remainder of the season, head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. 
Harbaugh also indicated, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that Mitchell will require surgery due to the “serious” knee injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of last night’s game (video link). Rapoport notes Mitchell’s availability for the beginning of the 2024 campaign could be in the air, but in any case, his absence will be acutely felt for the remainder of the current season.
Mitchell joined Baltimore as a UDFA this spring, and he was unable to find playing time for the early portion of the season. The Ravens’ backfield suffered a blow in Week 1 when starter J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles, however, which helped pave the way for Mitchell to carve out a role for himself. The 21-year-old recorded at least eight carries in five of his six appearances once he found himself in the lineup, showcasing an explosive ability and impressive speed.
The East Carolina product recorded 396 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 47 carries, good for an average of 8.4 yards per carry. Mitchell also added nine catches for 93 yards in his brief stint as a focal point of the Ravens’ offense. Baltimore will still have a strong ground game in his absence, but losing Mitchell in addition to Dobbins and All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews (who is likely out for the rest of 2023) will deal another notable blow to the team’s skill-position group.
The Ravens will move forward with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill atop the RB depth chart. The pair rank second and fourth on the team in rushing, respectively, and they are now in line to see their workloads increase. Baltimore will add Melvin Gordon to the active roster from the practice squad, Harbaugh added (via Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo). The veteran has logged 13 carries across two games this season, his first with the team.
With quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the way, the Ravens own the league’s top rushing attack (averaging 164 yards per game on the ground). With Mitchell no longer in the picture, though, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain a strong ground game through the rest of December and into the postseason.