Taylor Heinicke on backup duty again Week 18 for Washington
Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be the backup to rookie Sam Howell in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, per head coach Ron Rivera.
Heinicke will remain on backup duty to close out the season, but it will be behind Howell instead of Carson Wentz. A previous report said Heinicke was expected to start and that Howell would be the backup. Howell, a fifth-round rookie, hasn't played in the regular season.
Among the 44 quarterbacks with at least 100 drop backs this season, Heinicke is 31st and Wentz is 32nd in Passing Net Expected Points per attempt (negative-0.02). Howell will have a tough task versus a Cowboys team that has the No. 5 pass defense and No. 3 overall defense in numberFire's season-long adjusted team rankings. Dallas is also allowing the seventh-fewest FanDuel points per game to the quarterback position this season.
- D'Onta Foreman signing with Cleveland March 20th, 2024
- Jets sign Mike Williams to 1-year deal March 19th, 2024
- Browns sign wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to 3-year extension March 19th, 2024
- Alexander Mattison signs contract with Raiders March 18th, 2024
- Patriots ink K.J. Osborn to 1-year deal March 18th, 2024
- Steelers' Russell Wilson expected to be Week 1 starter; Justin Fields to operate as backup March 18th, 2024
- Steelers sign Cordarrelle Patterson to 2-year deal March 26th, 2024
- Steelers sign Van Jefferson to 1-year deal March 15th, 2024
- Darnell Mooney, Falcons agree to contract March 12th, 2024
- Falcons ink Kirk Cousins to new 4-year contract March 11th, 2024
- Schefter: Falcons will release tight end Jonnu Smith February 27th, 2024
- Taylor Heinicke (ankle) ruled out for Falcons in Week 18; Desmond Ridder to start January 7th, 2024