Gardner Minshew takes over for Patrick Mahomes this week for the Kansas City Chiefs and will be without one of the team’s top offensive weapons.

Receiver Rashee Rice has bee n ruled out after suffering a concussion last week against the Los Angeels Chargers. Rice entered concussion protocol on Monday after reporting symptoms and did not practice. Kansas City visits the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.

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Fellow receiver Tyquan Thornton was also ruled out with a concussion.

Rice’s injury occurred in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Chargers. Rice suffered a brutal blow from Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson, the latest in a series of hard hits the standout wideout has sustained in recent weeks.

Rice stayed down after the play and ultimately went to the Chiefs’ medical tent, where he then emerged with his helmet.

Although Rice went back in the game and finished with seven receptions for 51 yards in the three-point defeat, the symptoms he reported Monday landed him in the concussion protocol.

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Rice leads all Chiefs wide receivers with 53 receptions and 571 receiving yards. Plus, his five touchdowns are tied for the team high.

[NFL injury updates live]

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins has been cleared from concussion protocol, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Higgins was a full participant in Friday’s practice and cleared following an evaluation. He had not taken part in practice for two weeks before returning to the field.

Higgins missed Week 13 due to a concussion, cleared protocol but then re-entered protocol after their game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14.

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Other notable Week 16 injuries:

Garrett Wilson’s season is over, New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn announced. The receiver has been out since Nov. 13 with a knee sprain, and with the Jets out of playoff contention with a 3-11 record, there’s no reason to risk him over the final weeks. Wilson finishes the season with 396 receiving yards, 36 receptions and four touchdowns.

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is on track to play Sunday as he returns from a concussion. Wideout CeeDee Lamb (illness) is expected to practice Friday. The Cowboys host the Chargers on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has been ruled out for Week 16 as he recovers from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung suffered during a dry needling treatment at the team facility last week.

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles (played Sat.) | Commanders (played Sat.)
NFC North: Bears (played Sat.) | Lions | Packers (played Sat.) | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams (played Thurs.) | 49ers | Seahawks (played Thurs.)

Here’s the rest of the Week 16 injury report:

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

No injury designations reported.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

DT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring): OUT

LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder): OUT

WR David Moore (elbow): questionable

LT Ikem Ekwonu (knee): questionable

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

T Christian Darrisaw (knee): OUT

DT Javon Hargave (thigh): OUT

TE Gavin Bartholomew (back): OUT

RB Ty Chandler (knee): OUT

T Brian O’Neill (heel): questionable

NEW YORK GIANTS

WR Beaux Collins (concussion, neck): OUT

G Evan Neal (neck, hamstring): OUT

DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (ankle): OUT

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder): OUT

G Joshua Ezeudu (calf): questionable

LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (illness): questionable

CB Art Green (illness, hamstring): questionable

CB Rico Payton (back): questionable

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NEW YORK JETS

TE Mason Taylor (neck): OUT

DL Eric Watts (concussion): OUT

LB Francisco Mauigoa (neck): OUT

QB Justin Fields (concussion): questionable

QB Tyrod Taylor (groin, knee): questionable

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

T Asim Richards (ankle): OUT

G Cesar Ruiz (ankle): OUT

RB Alvin Kamara (ankle): OUT

TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee): questionable

DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle, knee): questionable

WR Mason Tipton (illness): questionable

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DE Joseph Ossai (ankle): OUT

TE Noah Fant (ankle): OUT

WR Charlie Jones (ankle): OUT

WR Tee Higgins (concussion): questionable

DT B.J. Hill (ankle): questionable

S PJ Jules (ankle): questionable

CB DJ Turner II (illness): questionable

MIAMI DOLPHINS

S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf): OUT

C Andrew Meyer (triceps): OUT

K Jason Sanders (hip): OUT

LB Jordyn Brooks (foot, knee): questionable

S Elijah Campbell (ankle, knee): questionable

CB Isaiah Johnson (knee): questionable

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

CB Trent McDuffie (knee): OUT

LB Leo Chenal (shoulder): OUT

T Jaylon Moore (knee): OUT

WR Rashee Rice (concussion): OUT

T Jawaan Taylor (elbow): OUT

WR Tyquan Thornton (concussion): OUT

TE Jake Briningstool (hamstring): OUT

CB Nazeeh Johnson (shoulder): OUT

DT Derrick Nnadi (illness): OUT

TENNESSEE TITANS

LB Cedric Gray (concussion): OUT

LB Oluwafemi Oladejo (fibula): OUT

WR Bryce Oliver (knee): OUT

CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles): questionable

TE Gunnar Helm (toe): questionable

WR Van Jefferson (back): questionable

LB Arden Key (illness): questionable

G Kevin Zeitler (groin): questionable

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

WR Derius Davis (ankle): OUT

S R.J. Mickens (shoulder): OUT

DE Bud Dupress (back): questionable

WR Quentin Johnston (groin): questionable

S Elijah Molden (hamstring): questionable

T Trey Pipkins (ankle): questionable

DT Teair Tart (shin): questionable

DALLAS COWBOYS

CB DaRon Bland (foot): OUT

T Tyler Guyton (ankle): OUT

CB Josh Butler (knee): questionable

CB Caelen Carson (shoulder/hamstring): questionable

CB Trevon Diggs (knee): questionable

FB Hunter Luepke (concussion): questionable

RB Phil Mafah (shoulder): questionable

DE Payton Turner (ribs): questionable

DT Quinnen Williams (concussion): questionable

BUFFALO BILLS

LT Chase Lundt (knee): OUT

DT DaQuan Jones (calf): OUT

K Matt Prater (right quad): OUT

DT Jordan Phillips (ankle): OUT

WR Mecole Hardman (calf): questionable

CB Cam Lewis (hamstring): questionable

CLEVELAND BROWNS

T Jack Conklin (concussion): OUT

TE David Njoku (knee): OUT

LB Winston Reid (back): OUT

RB Dylan Sampson (hand): OUT

CB Denzel Ward (calf): OUT

QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles): OUT

DT Sam Kamara (elbow): questionable

G Wyatt Teller (calf): questionable

ATLANTA FALCONS

WR KhaDarel Hodge (shoulder): OUT

CB Mike Hughes (ankle): OUT

DE Brandon Dorlus (illness, shoulder): questionable

OLB James Pearce Jr. (foot): questionable

WR Drake London (knee): questionable

ARIZONA CARDINALS

OT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee): OUT

S Jalen Thompson (hamstring): OUT

LG Evan Brown (personal): OUT

CB Darren Hall (concussion): OUT

CB Max Melton (heel): OUT

DE L.J. Collier (knee): questionable

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel): questionable

LB Cody Simon (knee, ankle): questionable

S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle): questionable

WR Xavier Weaver (hamstring): questionable

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger): OUT

DL Danny Striggow (ankle): OUT

LB Jalen McLeod (ankle): OUT

DENVER BRONCOS

LB Justin Strnad (foot): OUT

LB Karene Reid (hamstring): questionable

G Ben Powers (biceps): questionable

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

T Kolton Miller (ankle): OUT

C/G Jordan Meredith (ankle): questionable

HOUSTON TEXANS

WR Justin Watson (calf): OUT

DE Darrell Taylor (ankle): OUT

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle/knee): questionable

WR Christian Kirk (illness): questionable

RB Woody Marks (ankle): questionable

CB Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique): questionable

RB Nick Chubb (ribs): questionable

LB Jake Hansen (chest): questionable

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

G Isaac Seumalo (triceps): OUT

CB James Pierre (calf): OUT

LB Nick Herbig (hamstring): OUT

DETROIT LIONS

S Kerby Joseph (knee): OUT

T Giovanni Manu (knee): OUT

G Trystan Colon (wrist): questionable

T Taylor Decker (shoulder): questionable

C Graham Glasgow (knee): questionable

G Christian Mahogany (fibula): questionable

CB Amik Robertson (hand): questionable

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LB Robert Spillane (ankle): OUT

LB Harold Landry III (knee): questionable

DT Christian Barmore (personal): questionable

CB Carlton Davis III (hip): questionable

CB Marcus Jones (knee): questionable

BALTIMORE RAVENS

LB Teddye Buchanan (knee): OUT

LB Jay Higgins (knee): OUT

CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot): doubtful

S Kyle Hamilton (ankle): questionable

DT John Jenkins (illness): questionable

T Ronnie Stanley (knee, ankle): questionable

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

WR Ricky Pearsall (ankle, knee): OUT

CB Renardo Green (neck): OUT

DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring): questionable

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CB Sauce Gardner (calf): OUT

WR Anthony Gould (foot): OUT

QB Anthony Richardson (eye): OUT

S Daniel Scott (knee): OUT

DT DeForest Buckner (neck): questionable

T Bernhard Raimann (elbow): questionable

NFL injury updates liveLive12 updatesSean LeahySun, December 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM PST

Sean Leahy

The Eagles clinched back-to-back NFC East titles, but now eye the overall No. 1 seed if they can catch the Seahawks. If not, they will be one of the NFC’s top seeds and have home field for their first playoff game.

Getting Johnson and Carter back on their respective line will go a long way in helping them go for their goal of a second straight Super Bowl title.

Sean LeahySat, December 20, 2025 at 12:44 PM PST

Sean Leahy

The 36-year-old was signed to the Tampa practice after trying out earlier this month.

A member of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV team in 2020, Pierre-Paul last played in the NFL in 2023 with the Saints and Dolphins.

Sean LeahySat, December 20, 2025 at 7:47 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Diggs has been out since late October with a concussion and knee injury. He’ll be an added boost for the Dallas secondary with DaRon Bland out for the season.

In six games this season, Diggs has recorded 18 total tackles.

The Cowboys host the Chargers in Week 16.

Fri, December 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM PST

The Chicago Bears are expecting to get linebacker Tremaine Edmunds back from injured reserve Saturday against the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Edmunds was placed on IR with a groin injury on Nov. 22. He has piled up four interceptions and nine pass deflections, as well as 46 solo tackles, this season.

Andy BackstromFri, December 19, 2025 at 1:27 PM PST

Andy Backstrom

Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt is still recovering from a lung injury that required surgery last week.

Watt, who will miss his second consecutive game when Pittsburgh plays the Detroit Lions Sunday, suffered a partially collapsed lung after undergoing a dry needling treatment session at the team’s practice facility, according to his brother J.J. Watt.

Additionally, the Steelers will be without cornerback James Pierre (calf) and guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) versus the Lions. They’ve listed linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) as doubtful for the matchup.

Sean LeahyFri, December 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM PST

Sean Leahy

London has missed the past four weeks with a PCL sprain.

Sean LeahyFri, December 19, 2025 at 11:07 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Lamb has not practiced this week due to an illness. Williams left Sunday’s loss to the Vikings with a concussion.

Sean LeahyFri, December 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Higgins was limited in Thursday’s practice and has not been a full participant in over two weeks. The receiver missed Week 13 due to a concussion, cleared protocol but then re-entered protocol after their Week 14 game against the Bills.

Fri, December 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM PST

Wilson hasn’t played since Week 10, and will end the season with 36 catches for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns in eight games.

Sean LeahyFri, December 19, 2025 at 7:15 AM PST

Sean Leahy

The 26-year-old Bland played 12 games this season with Dallas, recording 73 total tackles and one interception.

He will miss the rest of the season.

“He understands the journey that he has to go upon again, but he’s gonna do a great job and come back better than before,” said Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. It’s one of those situations where it comes and goes, and at the end of the day, when you go and look at it, you see there’s something we need to go in and fix surgically. That starts the process of a long rehab, but he’ll do a great job with i

Sean LeahyFri, December 19, 2025 at 5:52 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Marks is nursing an ankle injury and did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The Texans did get Nick Chubb back on the field following a rib injury.

Jawhar Jordan, who ran for 101 yards in his NFL debut last week, was promoted to the 53-man roster this week.

Sean LeahyFri, December 19, 2025 at 5:48 AM PST

Sean Leahy

Geno Smith looks like he will return for the Las Vegas Raiders for Sunday’s game against the Texans.

The Raiders quarterback was back at practice on Wednesday after sitting out last week’s 31-0 loss to the Eagles with a right shoulder and back injury.

“I’m just taking it day by day, trying to see how I feel today after practice, and then we’ll move on from there,” Smith said.