Texans confirm torn ACL for Graham Mertz

Rypien was with the Vikings in training camp and arguably would be as deserving of a start as anybody in Minnesota given how Max Brosmer has played so far. Perhaps that’s a Week 18 possibility. For now, he’ll serve as a backup.

As a procedural move to activate Buckner, the Colts also waived QB Brett Rypien. It was reported before the weekend that Buckner was expected to play in Week 16’s game, but the Colts made it official on Monday with his activation. Buckner has been sidelined with a neck injury since Week 9 and should provide an immediate boost to a defense that ranks 22nd in total yards allowed but has been a top-10 run-stopping unit.

Leonard has a knee injury that was diagnosed after the game that Steichen said he is “working through.” He played to the very end of the Colts snaps against the Jaguars, so either he played on it or injured it on his final run to the end zone. The lone remaining quarterback on the roster is, you guessed it, Brett Rypien. We’ll probably get a better sense of how much urgency the Colts have based on how many quarterback workouts get scheduled this week, but this is getting dire in a hurry.

The Colts worked out several quarterbacks in the wake of the injury to Anthony Richardson, but it appears Rypien has won that spot. He’ll likely be the third quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard with Richardson on injured reserve due to his orbital fracture.

Rypien seems likely to take the role on the practice squad left behind by Mike White now that Joe Flacco has come aboard the good ship Bengals.

The question about Taylor’s belief in Browning came following Taylor’s postgame remarks in which he said the team will “look at all personnel to make sure we’re doing the right thing.” Browning hasn’t been great in place of Joe Burrow. The backup has done most of his stat padding in meaningless garbage time, but the options behind him, which include journeymen Brett Rypien and Mike White, are unlikely to be much better. This felt like an inevitable problem the Bengals would face the moment Burrow (toe) went down in Week 2, but the Bengals’ offense has imploded in quick fashion. Since Week 3, the Bengals rank last in EPA per play, 31st in dropback success rate, and 29th in offensive success rate. It’s not good, folks. We’ll see if a change comes down the line, but as far as fantasy is concerned, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will be more inconsistent than usual no matter who is starting next week.

He’ll be the third quarterback in Cincinnati this year behind Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. Also joining the Cincinnati practice squad are: RB Gary Brightwell, S Russ Yeast, OT Devin Cochran, OT Andrew Coker, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris, G Jaxson Kirkland, CB Bralyn Lux, C Seth McLaughlin, RB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, DE Isaiah Thomas and WR Isaiah Williams.

That means the Vikings are moving forward with J.J. McCarthy, recent signee Carson Wentz, and undrafted free agent rookie Max Brosmer for the 2025 season. Since reaching free agency with the Broncos after 2023, Rypien has played for the Rams, Seahawks, Jets, Bears, and Vikings, only reaching NFL snaps with the Rams. He’ll look to continue catching on elsewhere.

Mertz (6’3/212) began his career at Wisconsin as a member of their 2019 recruiting class. He redshirted his true freshman season after seeing limited action, but made seven starts in 2020, throwing for 1,238-9-5 while completing 61.1 percent of his passes. He entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2022 season and went on to play two seasons for the Gators, but saw his 2024 season cut short due to a torn ACL he suffered in October. Before his injury, Mertz was off to a strong start, throwing for 791-6-2 while completing 76.6 percent of his passes and also averaging a career-high 8.4 YPA. Mertz struggled with avoiding sacks for much of his career, and has two seasons with 10-plus turnovers on his resumé. Long thought of as a game manager who improved over time, Mertz brings a wealth of college experience (48 career starts, 50 career games) to the pro ranks, but he’s an unspectacular prospect who never threw for more than 2,903 yards in any of his six seasons. He was on a 12-game pace throw for 1,898 yards last season. He has serviceable arm strength and works well off of play action, which should give him a chance to compete for a backup spot in camp if he is cleared to participate.

The team also announced the signings of RB Zavier Scott, LB Max Tooley, OLB Gabriel Murphy, OG Henry Byrd, DT Marcellus Johnson, OT Leroy Watson, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Thayer Thomas, DT Jonathan Harris, and DT Travis Bell to R/F deals. Rypien was the team’s third quarterback behind Nick Mullens this year. He may have to compete with Mullens for the QB3 job next year if Sam Darnold returns and J.J. McCarthy is healthy.