The Facts: Rodgers has already been ruled out for today's game against the Atlanta Falcons, an expected designation for the 40-year-old who had his practice window opened this week. If he's not activated by Dec. 20, he cannot play this season. After talking to sources throughout the week about Rodgers' situation, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport offered the following simmation of where it all stands: It's appearing unlikely that Rodgers plays in a game at all this year. If the Jets are eliminated from the playoff picture, Rodgers is not expected to play, sources tell Rapoport.

Diehards Line: Not a surprise, but that's where it stands. New York is 4-7 and its playoff chances hang by a thread. A loss today would make the climb even tougher. Rodgers has loosely targeted the Dec. 24 game against the Washington Commanders as his potential return date, but if the Jets are out of it by then, don't expect a return. Rodgers insinuated as much this week, saying it would be a risk for him to play when he's not 100% healthy. "If we are out of it, I would be surprised if they OK'd that to come back," he told reporters. There is a chance that Rodgers is activated this season, putting him back on the 53-man roster, sources tell Rapoport. But even then, if the team is out of it, he wouldn't play. He may, for instance, be the third QB only to be used in emergency, helping him stay connected and involved. None have been used this season.

The Facts: The Cardinals and Ertz are mutually parting ways, with Arizona deciding to move forward with Trey McBride while giving Ertz the opportunity to finish out the season somewhere else, per sources. Ertz will go on waivers.

Diehards Line: Ertz has been on injured reserve with a quad injury since October 24. He had 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown before being sidelined. He hopes to sign with a contender and make a run at his second Super Bowl ring. Of course, he'll have to get through waivers, where a non-contender could disrupt his plans, first.

The Facts: Jackson said over the summer that he was not retired from the NFL, but that we would all know when he decided to hang up his cleats. That news came on Wednesday. The Eagles announced that Jackson will retire as a member of the team on Friday and serve as an honorary captain for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.

Diehards Line: Jackson entered the NFL as an Eagles second-round pick in 2008 and made three Pro Bowls while playing for the team through the 2013 season. He moved on to Washington and Tampa before returning to the Eagles in 2019 and 2020. He closed out his career by playing with the Raiders, Rams, and Ravens over the last two seasons. Jackson has 641 catches for 11,263 yards and 58 touchdowns in 183 career games. He also ran 72 times for 463 yards and four touchdowns and returned four punts for scores, including a walk-off return against the Giants in 2010 that likely goes down as his most memorable NFL moment. Jackson is 75th in catches and 38th in receiving yards in NFL history. He ranks sixth and third in Eagles history in those two categories.

The Facts: Following up on this week's Team Notes. ... The Jets have opened the 21-day practice window for Rodgers to return from injured reserve.

Diehards Line: Rodgers -- only 10 weeks removed from surgery -- wanted to start practicing in early December, with the hope of playing again this season. "When we get a doctor's note that says he's clear, he'll be cleared for practice then," HC Robert Saleh said this week. Apparently they have that note. Rodgers is said to be targeting the Dec. 24 game against the Washington Commanders for his return. Remember: No NFL player has ever torn his Achilles tendon during the regular season and returned that same regular season. ... Stay tuned. We'll have more on this in coming days.

The Facts: Taylor went for evaluation of a thumb injury on Tuesday and Colts owner Jim Irsay told James Boyd of TheAthletic.com that it’s been determined that Taylor will need to have surgery on his thumb. The hope is that Taylor will be able to return after missing two or three weeks.

Diehards Line: Indianpolis will face the Titans and Bengals on the road in the next two weeks. A home game with the Steelers looms in Week 15. Taylor missed the first four weeks while on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury, but has played in the last seven contests. He has four touchdowns in the last three games and averaged six yards per carry while scoring twice against the Bucs in Week 12.

The Facts: According to multiple reports, the Vikings are activating Jefferson from Injured Reserve today, and he'll play after the bye.

Diehards Line: That's been the expectation all along -- certainly after he was not up for Monday night's game against the Bears. We'll continue to watch for more, but expect Jefferson to be ready post bye for the Dec. 10 game at Las Vegas. Jefferson injured his right hamstring Oct. 8, and the Vikings opened his window return to practice Nov. 8. The team has slowly ramped up his exertion levels over the past three weeks, but Jefferson has not fully participated in a practice. That will change as Week 14 draws nearer.

The Facts: Taylor, fresh off a 91-yard, two-TD performance in a win over the Bucs, suffered an injured thumb that is requiring further evaluation and puts his status in doubt going forward, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Diehards Line: Taylor played the entire second half with the injury, sparking the win. If he needs to miss time, Indy will turn to Zack Moss, who has two 100-yard games this season. Stay tuned. We'll follow up as needed.

The Facts: Jefferson will not be activated for Monday's game against the Bears.

Diehards Line: This according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, who noted Jefferson is “very close” to returning from his hamstring injury. Multiple reports beyond Pelissero are suggesting the same. The Vikings have a Week 13 bye and Jefferson is expected to be 100 percent when they take on Las Vegas in Week 14.

The Facts: The Carolina Panthers are firing head coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 start to his first season in Carolina. Panthers special teams coordinator, Chris Tabor, will be the interim head coach for Carolina.

Diehards Line: "I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers," Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement. "I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well. Effective immediately, Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as our interim head coach. Senior Assistant Jim Caldwell will be a special advisor to Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take over play calling duties. ..." We'll follow up as needed.

The Facts: The post-Burrow portion of 2023 starts today for the Bengals. The franchise quarterback is set for wrist surgery on Monday, sources tell NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

Diehards Line: Rapoport added the expectation is that Burrow will make a full recovery for the 2024 season. Head coach Zac Taylor clarified to reporters on Nov. 20 that Burrow's 2023 season is over, regardless of how far the Bengals potentially advance in the playoffs if they were to qualify.