Team news: Buffalo Bills | Page 3

Mike Tomlin officially ruled out QB Kenny Pickett for Saturday’s game vs. Cincinnati. Steelers’ QB Mason Rudolph officially starts.

Related Players: Mitch Trubisky

It is very unlikely that Rudolph hits the ground running to bolster this anemic offense. The last time we saw a Mason Rudolph start was in Week 10 of the 2021 season, when it took him 52 dropbacks to grind out 242 yards, with 4.8 yards per attempt. He is a desperation-play Superflex option, even in a good matchup against the Bengals defense.

The Steelers are benching QB Mitch Trubisky and going with Mason Rudolph this week, coach Mike Tomlin announced.

Related players: Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett

Rudolph will get to lead the Steelers sleigh just in time for Christmas. But, there likely isn't going to be a dramatic change in the offense when all is said an done. Rudolph got the call with about six minutes left in the game after Trubisky threw a bad interception with the team trailing 27-13 and needing a quick score. Rudolph was just 2 for 3 for three yards in his time. One thing to note is other reports say Tomlin said Pickett is improving and hasn't been ruled out. The Steelers play another Saturday game, this time against the Bengals at home.

Neither nickel corner Taron Johnson (ankle) or tight end Dalton Kincaid (thumb/shoulder) have an injury designation for Sunday's game vs. the Cowboys. Both are set to play despite being limited in practice all week.

Related Players: Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir

The Kincaid/Knox tandem should continue to rule the gameplan as the Bills' "big slot" options, pushing Khalil Shakir down in playing time. Kincaid slides directly back into TE1 considerations.

Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin ruled out QB Kenny Pickett for Saturday’s game vs. the Colts. Mitch Trubisky starts again.

Trubisky threw for a TD and ran for another one last week against a tough Patriot defense that was coming off a stellar performance against the Chargers at home in Week 13. This week, Trubisky gets the Colts on the road on a Saturday game, which should at least be a better matchup on paper. However, Trubisky is a risky start in anything other than deeper, two QB or superflex leagues.

Bills HC Sean McDermott says they are opening up the 21-day practice windows for TE Dawson Knox and CB Kaiir Elam, who are both on Injured Reserve.

As to whether or not either would play, McDermott preemptively said "We'll take it one day at a time."

Related Players: Dalton Kincaid

Still sounds like it's up in the air when we'll see Knox back on the football field, and it wouldn't be unheard of if they take it easy as they aim for a playoff spot. Kincaid has been fantastic in Knox's absence, sitting at a 56-474-2 stat line; a great achievement for any rookie tight end.

Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin said QB Kenny Pickett underwent surgery on his high ankle sprain this morning and is out Thursday night vs. the Patriots.

Related players: Mitch Trubisky

The Steelers are hoping to have Pickett back at some point and still being in the playoff race when he's back in action. Initial reports said Pickett could miss 2-4 weeks, but the team hasn't updated that timetable following Sunday's loss and the surgery. Trubisky will get the start, but seems to have a tough task ahead of him with the New England defense on a short week.

Still no Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward or DTR at today’s practice but Amari Cooper back after sitting out Wednesday with a rib injury.

Related Players: Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman

All signs point towards Joe Flacco starting at quarterback, which can't necessarily be taken as a positive for Cooper. Flacco consistently fed his running backs while keeping the ball around the line of scrimmage in his five game with the Jets last season. Cooper shouldn't be considered more than a WR3.

Bills QB Josh Allen (right shoulder) and WR Stefon Diggs (back) are off the injury report and do not have game designations for Monday against the Broncos.

Allen was a full participant in practice all week while Diggs was limited Friday and Saturday, though that seemed more like the Bills just being cautious with their star wide receiver this week. Both are in good positions for fantasy this week, especially Diggs, our No. 1 wide receiver this week.

Stefon Diggs added to the Bills’ injury report. Limited today with a back injury. They play Monday, so his game status won’t be listed until tomorrow.

Related Players: Gabe Davis, Khalil Shakir, Trent Sherfield, Deonte Harty

It would be a bummer if he were to miss this game ahead of a cushy matchup against the Broncos' defense. If he's out, both Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir should be thrust into respective WR2 and WR3 considerations.