NFL News

Despite a Rams victory, quarterback Matthew Stafford took quite a beating from Bryan Bresee (90) and the Saints defense last week. (Associated Press) Matthew Stafford has played nearly 16 NFL seasons, absorbing hits that resulted in broken bones, strains, sprains and bruises. Has the Rams quarterback played a full season without an injury? “No,” Stafford said Wednesday, chuckling. Stafford, 36, …

Injuries have been mounting for the Lions and they will be missing four players from the active roster in Thursday night’s game against the Packers. Left tackle Taylor Decker will miss his second straight game with a knee injury. Dan Skipper started in Decker’s place on Thanksgiving and played all but one of the team’s offensive snaps. The Lions also …

Dealing with injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason at running back, the 49ers have made a move at the position. San Francisco has signed Patrick Taylor to the 53-man roster off the team’s practice squad. Taylor has appeared in eight games for San Francisco this year, recording 25 yards rushing on seven carries. He’s also caught a 12-yard pass. …

On Tuesday, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made more comments to Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk regarding the connection between ownership behavior and football success. On Wednesday, Rodgers acknowledged that ownership of his current team doesn’t do one of the things Rodgers believes owners should do. “There needs to be a return to hiring the right person at General Manager, head …

The Packers will play without wide receiver Romeo Doubs and cornerback Jaire Alexander again this week. Doubs was a limited participant in practice all of this week, but Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he has not cleared the concussion protocol and will not play against the Lions on Thursday night. Alexander practiced on a limited basis on Monday and …

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed quarterback Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve on Wednesday, three days after he suffered a concussion following a hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence was carted off during Sunday’s 23-20 Jaguars loss to the Texans, a defeat that dropped Jacksonville to 2-10 on the season. Al-Shaair’s hit sparked a brawl between the teams and led …

The Bears kicked off interim head coach Thomas Brown’s first week running practice without three of their top offensive players. Wide receivers DJ Moore (quad) and Keenan Allen (ankle) did not take part in the session. Running back D’Andre Swift (quad) was also off the practice field as the Bears began on-field preparation for their Sunday game against the 49ers. …

It’s wild out west in the NFC. The Seahawks, Cardinals, Rams are all vying to usurp the back-to-back division champion (and preseason conference favorite) 49ers who are currently reeling as they send even more players to the injured reserve. In this week’s playbook, I took a gander at the four teams in the NFC West, their current odds to win …

Receiver Josh Reynolds didn’t make it to free agency quite yet. Per NFL Media, the Jaguars have claimed Reynolds off of waivers after the Broncos let him go on Tuesday. Reynolds, 29, had suffered a finger injury earlier in the season and then was the victim of a drive-by shooting. His 21-day practice window was closing, and with other receivers …

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill didn’t take part in the first Dolphins practice of Week 14. Hill was listed as out of practice with the wrist injury that has made him a regular on the injury report in recent weeks. Rest was also given as a reason why Hill did not join the team on the field. Hill has missed other …

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Monday that Baker Mayfield was likely to be fine by game time on Sunday, but he wasn’t sure what the quarterback’s practice status would be during the week. As it turns out, Mayfield is OK for that, too. While the Bucs held a walk-through on Wednesday, Mayfield (Achilles/knee) is listed as a …

Dak Prescott expressed support for Mike McCarthy, saying the Cowboys coach deserves “another contract and a chance to coach this team amongst more influence. ‘On his terms’ may be a good way to say it.” McCarthy hadn’t seen Prescott’s Tuesday comments a day later and seemed uncertain about what his quarterback meant by the phrase “on his terms.” “I think …

Raiders running back Alexander Mattison has missed the team’s last two games with an ankle injury but was on the practice field for Wednesday’s practice. Mattison was limited in the session according to Las Vegas’ injury report. Mattison was also limited for all three days of practice last week. In his first year with Las Vegas, Mattison has rushed for …

After the Chiefs kicked a field goal on the last play to beat the Panthers and continue a run of dramatic victories, quarterback Patrick Mahomes referenced the team’s run of close victories by saying that he wouldn’t mind winning a game that didn’t come down to the wire. That didn’t happen last week as the Chiefs needed a rushed snap …

The Vikings were missing cornerback Stephon Gilmore at their practice on Wednesday. Gilmore did not participate due to a hamstring injury. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said at his press conference that Gilmore could get on the field later this week, but it sounds like the Vikings are more likely to face the Falcons without him. Gilmore has started all 12 …