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The NFL announced the rules and regulations for the revamp of the 2023 Pro Bowl on Tuesday, which will be highlighted by a series of skill competitions and three flag football games.

Renamed the Pro Bowl Games, the new format will see the NFC and AFC battle for supremacy over a full weekend of events.

The Games will begin Thursday, Feb. 2, with five skills competitions, and the winner of the competitions will earn three points for his conference. Three more skills competitions will take place Sunday, Feb. 5, putting a total of 24 points on the line.

An additional 12 points (six for each game) will be up for grabs in the first two flag football competitions held Sunday during the Pro Bowl Games broadcast. The total points earned by the AFC and NFC will be the starting score for a third and final flag football game, which will use standard flag football scoring.

The Pro Bowl Games Shorthand

• Eight total skills competitions; winners receive three points for their conference
• Two flag football competitions, winners receive six points for their conference. 
• Total of 36 points on the line before the third and final flag football game, which will be added to all other events to determine the final score of the weekend. 

Pro Bowl Games Flag Football Rules

• Seven-on-seven featuring skill players
• Each team may have one center
• 50-yard field with 10-yard end zones
• No Run Zone beginning at the opponent's 5-yard line
• 20-minute games (two 10-minute halves)
• 25-second play clock
• Running clock besides the final two minutes of each half
• Clock stops on an incomplete pass, score, timeout, penalty or change of possession in the final two minutes of each half
• Touchdowns worth six points; teams can then do a one-point conversion from the 3-yard line or a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line

The score from the third flag football game will be added to the scores from the other events to determine a final victor.

The NFL announced a revamping of the Pro Bowl in September after years of fan complaints regarding the quality of play in the contest. Players would regularly pull out of the event, citing injuries from a long season, which would lead to diluted rosters and a game that rarely felt worth watching.

This revamped format should help enliven the festivities for fans and players alike, leading to a celebration of the best from the 2022 NFL season.

Full rosters for the Pro Bowl Games are set to be announced Wednesday.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said during his weekly Pat McAfee Show appearance Tuesday that his injured right thumb is "a lot better" since he returned from the team's bye week.

Rodgers suffered an avulsion fracture in his right thumb while attempting a Hail Mary pass during his team's 27-22 loss against the New York Giants on Oct. 9.

He said Oct. 26 that his thumb was "hurt" when asked if it was broken. However, he admitted to reporters Nov. 23 that the thumb was indeed broken.

"It doesn't make a difference with me playing," Rodgers said. "It doesn't make a difference. You saw the tape on my thumb. Didn't make a difference."

The Packers had 15 days off between their 28-19 road win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 4 and their 24-12 home victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.

Rodgers went 22-of-30 with 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception against L.A. to lead the 6-8 Packers to their second successive win.

Rodgers hasn't missed any games this year, but he suffered an injury to his ribs during his team's 40-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 27 and was forced to leave the game.

He later said the injury occurred in the second quarter and he tweaked the ailment in the third quarter, which is when he departed the matchup for backup Jordan Love.

However, he was well enough to start against the Bears the following week and has remained in the lineup.

Rodgers is focused on getting the Packers to the playoffs. The 7-6-1 Washington Commanders hold the NFC's final wild-card spot, and the 7-7 Seattle Seahawks and 7-7 Detroit Lions sit between them and the Packers at 6-8.

Green Bay will need to win all three of its final games (at the Miami Dolphins and home versus the Minnesota Vikings and Lions) to have a shot at getting that final playoff spot.

Up first are the Dolphins, and that game will take place in Miami on Christmas Day at 1 p.m. ET.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor's 2022 season is over, as the AFC South team placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Colts' Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it was "highly unlikely" he would return during the 2022 campaign given the timing of the setback and the team's 4-9-1 record.

The Wisconsin product missed time throughout the season with ankle concerns and posted 861 yards and four touchdowns on 192 carries to go with 28 catches for 143 yards in 11 games.

It was a far cry from his 2021 season when he was an MVP candidate with 332 carries for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns, which were all league-high marks. He also added 40 catches for 360 yards and two scores.

While the Colts can't realistically expect to run the ball as well with Taylor sidelined, they will likely turn toward the combination of Deon Jackson and Zack Moss in the meantime.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn't yet been ruled out for Saturday's crucial matchup with the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium despite a sprained shoulder.

"I'm feeling fine," Hurts told reporters Tuesday. "We're keeping this business as usual."

He also said there is "definitely a chance" he'll take the field against Philadelphia's NFC East rivals.

On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Hurts' status for the matchup was up in the air because of a sprained shoulder:

"It wasn't the first time I've been slow [to get up]. It won't be the last," Hurts told reporters regarding the play in which he was hurt. "I did play a really physical game, and it was real cold too. So happy we were able to find a win and in the end find a way."

While a victory would clinch the NFC East for the Eagles (13-1), a loss wouldn't be all that detrimental. The Eagles only need to win one more contest this season or have the Cowboys (10-4) lose one more game to guarantee a division crown.

Likewise, the Eagles currently have a two-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) atop the NFC playoff picture and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Hurts, 24, is having a superb third season and is arguably neck-and-neck with Patrick Mahomes in the MVP conversation. Along with throwing for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions, completing 67.3 percent of his passes, he's rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores.

If Hurts is sidelined, Gardner Minshew will step into the starting role for Philadelphia. He has thrown just four passes this season, completing two of them for 34 yards. He started two games for the Eagles in 2021, throwing for 439 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in four total appearances.

It appears Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will start Saturday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders after clearing concussion protocol, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

In the first quarter of a Week 14 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Pickett was sacked by Roquan Smith and was slow to get up. He walked off the field and went into the medical tent for further evaluation before being cleared to return.

He missed the Week 15 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The 2022 first-round pick out of Pitt did not take over as the Steelers' starting QB until Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills, after beginning the year as backup to Mitchell Trubisky.

In 10 games this season, Pickett has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,797 yards and four touchdowns against eight interceptions. He has also rushed for 225 yards and three scores.

The Steelers are 6-8 overall and 4-5 in games Pickett starts.

If he misses any more time, the Steelers would turn back to Trubisky to lead the offense. The former Chicago Bears quarterback is 2-3 as a starter this season.

It's looking increasingly like Odell Beckham Jr. will not be a Dallas Cowboy.

Owner Jerry Jones made his weekly appearance Tuesday on Shan & RJ on Audacy's 105.3 The Fan, saying the chances of Beckham signing in Dallas diminish every day.

"I don't have an assessment of that, but as of this morning we don't have anything," Jones said. "I don't have an assessment. The reality is, though, that time is moving down the road relative to playing in the playoffs, and so every day diminishes our chances of going forward."

Beckham met with the Cowboys, New York Giants and Buffalo Bills this month as he explored his options for a return from a torn ACL. The three-time Pro Bowler said he does not plan to play during the regular season.

"I haven't made a decision, and for me, I would like to be in a stable environment, get up at 6 a.m., leave at 6 p.m. for four weeks, and then let's talk about it," Beckham said this month on TNF in the Shop. "I've played football for a long time. I'm not saying that I couldn't step in and play regular season, but I don't see the point. I really don't. I would rather play when the pressure is on."

The longer the situation plays out, the more likely it is Beckham sits out the entire 2022 season and reenters the free-agency pool this offseason. Sitting out would allow Beckham to be fully recovered from the ACL tear suffered in Super Bowl LVI—his second in as many seasons—while increasing the suitor pool and driving up his potential asking price.

Still, Beckham is a 30-year-old who has not made a Pro Bowl since 2016 and has a questionable knee. His name value is much higher than his expected production value.

With the Cowboys signing T.Y. Hilton last week as well, there's no real reason for urgency in Dallas.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said on his wife Kelly Stafford's podcast The Morning After that he is not retiring from the NFL.

The Rams placed Stafford on injured reserve Dec. 3 because of a neck injury, and his status going forward was uncertain.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Nov. 27 that the Rams didn't know if Stafford would play again in 2022, noting he'd been in concussion protocol twice, had a strained neck and also experienced numbness in his legs.

The injuries have contributed to a lost year for Stafford, who has just 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in nine starts. His 87.4 passer rating is his lowest since 2014, while his 231.9 passing yards per game only beats his first two years in the NFL.

The numbers are a dramatic change from 2021 when he totaled 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season in L.A.

Stafford underwent a procedure on his right elbow in the offseason and was limited in training camp as he recovered. Though he was back on the field in Week 1, he seemingly never returned to 100 percent.

The Rams have struggled with and without their starting quarterback, and they fell to 4-10 and were eliminated from playoff contention with Monday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. That makes it unnecessary for Stafford to return this season, but he wants to get back on the field in 2023.

The 34-year-old signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March, featuring $130 million in guaranteed money. If Los Angeles wanted to trade or release Stafford, it would cost the team at least $48 million in dead cap, per Spotrac.

Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, John Wolford and Bryce Perkins give the team options to finish out the year, although all three are set to enter free agency this offseason.

Army linebacker Andre Carter II is expected to be eligible for the 2023 NFL draft thanks to a provision in the Omnibus Appropriations Measure.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported amended language was added to the Congressional bill and filed Tuesday. The changes will provide Carter and any other current academy upperclassmen at Army, Navy and Air Force the ability to defer their military service for the chance to play professional sports.

Thamel noted the bill is "expected to pass this week."

Carter is a potential first-round draft pick who is the No. 29 overall player and No. 6 edge-rusher on B/R NFL Scouting Department's big board.

Thamel previously noted athletes have been able to delay service requirements since 2019 if they had the opportunity to play professionally, but that seemed to be changing before the new language that permits a legacy exception.

The language said the inability to apply for such an exception "shall only apply with respect to a cadet or midshipman who first enrolls in the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Air Force Academy on or after June 1, 2021."

Carter had the opportunity to transfer to powerhouse college football programs in the past and perhaps cash in on his name, image and likeness, but Thamel reported his family never even gave such a path "serious consideration."

That was one reason they were so upset before Tuesday's amended language. His mother, Melissa Carter, said:

"Here's the thing that's so painful. You guide your son to do the right things because it's right. And it's really disappointing that it's not reciprocated. This has been his goal since childhood, to go into the NFL. Every step of the way, that was on track, until we saw this article. That's the part that's disappointing. It's not surprising to see so many people transfer, opt out or switch teams. When loyalty is not reciprocated, that stings."

Army coach Jeff Monken echoed those sentiments.

"It's just kind of pulling the rug out from under him," he said. "It's not fair. It's not fair to him. He was loyal to this team and institution. He could have left and he didn't. He still wants to serve. It's not that he doesn't want to serve. He wants to pursue the NFL and play, and then serve."

Yet Thamel reported Carter's situation "rippled quickly through Washington, D.C.," which led to the expedited process that resulted in the amended language.

Members of Congress such as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell were all involved.

Carter's parents, Melissa and Andre, told ESPN:

"Thank you to the members of congress who stepped up, spoke out and worked expeditiously in support of Andre and other service academy cadets and midshipmen who made decisions in reliance on the 2019 policy allowing deferral of service. The goodness we saw in people this past week will forever be imprinted upon us."

Attention turns to the NFL draft process as the 6'7" pass-rusher attempts to make an impression on teams through the scouting combine, Senior Bowl and interviews.

His breakthrough season came in 2021 when he tallied 41 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery. He helped lead Army to an Armed Forces Bowl win over the SEC's Missouri with a sack to end that season.

That put Carter firmly under the spotlight in 2022, and he responded with 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two passes defended in 10 games. He also posted four tackles in a double-overtime win over Navy.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department listed him as the best speed-rusher in the draft, and he has the chance to become Army's third player drafted since 1969. It has not had a first-round pick since 1947, but Carter could change that.

Two straight victories against the 3-11 Chicago Bears and 4-10 Los Angeles Rams has Aaron Rodgers believing his 6-8 Green Bay Packers can make the playoffs.

"We've got two," he said after Monday's win over the Rams, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "Got two in the bag. I don't know. Look, before the Bears week, we knew we had a bye afterwards, and those of us who sometimes peek ahead knew that we had to win five and then have a lot of things go our way. So, we've won two and just about everything we needed to happen has gone our way. Just about, right? So, things are looking up."

He also said he thinks the team can win out even with more difficult games against the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to finish the season.

"I do, yeah, I do, I do," Rodgers said. "Now we're going to play three better football teams, but I do. Definitely."

While the two-game winning streak can be partially attributed to the level of competition, Green Bay looks much better than the version of itself that lost five straight and seven of eight following a 3-1 start.

The Washington Commanders have the last wild-card spot at 7-6-1, and the 7-7 Lions and Seattle Seahawks are both ahead of the Packers as well.

Rodgers and Co. will likely have to win the rest of their games and finish 9-8, but one of the best quarterbacks of all time believes is within the team's grasp.