Player Notes

QB Teddy Bridgewater will start at quarterback against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday to save Drew Brees for the playoffs, Saints head coach Sean Payton announced on Friday. Bridgewater last start came for the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round of the playoffs after the 2015 season, and he drove the Vikings into position for a game-winning field goal try that Blair Walsh missed. The next summer, ...

T Josh Wells (concussion) is listed as out by the Jaguars.

CB A.J. Gouye (toe) is out for the Jaguars' finale.

K Josh Lambo (groin) of the Jaguars will miss the season finale.

RB Leonard Fournette of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans because of foot and ankle injuries. Fournette didn't practice on Thursday and if he misses the game against the Texans it will be the seventh time he has been sidelined by an injury in his disappointing second pro season. In addition, Fournette was suspended for one game ...

WR Quincy Enunwa was signed to a contract extension. Although the team did not disclose terms of the deal, multiple media outlets reported Enunwa signed a four-year contract worth $36 million, including $20 million guaranteed. Enunwa was limited to 11 games this season and Sunday's matchup will mark the third straight contest he has been sidelined due to an ankle injury. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Enunwa ...

WR Antonio Brown missed practice against Friday due to knee soreness. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Brown was undergoing tests after experiencing discomfort in his knee, putting his status in question for Sunday's regular-season finale versus visiting Cincinnati. Brown, who has amassed 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and an NFL-leading 15 touchdowns this season, has yet to practice this week. He was ...

K Chris Boswell was placed on season-ending injured reserve, the Steelers announced Friday morning. Boswell was not listed on this week's injury report and the team did not disclose the nature of his ailment, but he has converted only 13 of 20 field goal attempts this season for a career low 65 percent success rate. The 27-year-old Boswell also was 43 of 48 on extra points, although he nailed both ...

QB Marcus Mariota returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday and was throwing the ball during the individual portion of practice. Mariota was listed as a limited participant Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's practice with foot and neck injuries.

TE Benjamin Watson said Thursday he will retire at the conclusion of this season.Watson's career will end with the conclusion to his second stint with the Saints, whom he also played for from 2013 to 2015. He returned to New Orleans on a one-year deal and this season he has 33 catches for 371 yards and two touchdowns (including Drew Brees' 500th career TD pass) in 15 games.