Richardson (orbital) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After the Colts officially opened his 21-day evaluation window Thursday, Richardson took part in practice for the first time since sustaining a fractured orbital bone in his right eye Oct. 12 while working out on the field prior to a game. Prior to Thursday's session, head coach Shane Steichen noted that Richardson still had some vision limitations in his right eye, prompting the Colts to rule the third-year quarterback out for Monday's game against the 49ers. For his part, Richardson told Stephen Holder of ESPN.com that he feels mostly back to normal, but the Colts aren't yet ready to commit to him being activated from injured reserve this season until he's evaluated more extensively in practice. The Colts will turn to Philip Rivers to make a second straight start in Week 16, but Richardson could be an option to unseat Rivers for the top job or Riley Leonard for No. 2 duties at some point over the final two games of the regular season.

Jackson (illness) returned to practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson didn't practice Wednesday, but the star QB's return to the field Thursday puts him on track to be available Sunday against the Patriots. The Ravens' upcoming practice report is slated to reveal Jackson's official participation level, but at this stage there's no reason to think that he'll be sidelined this weekend.

New York signed Hooker to the practice squad Thursday.

Hooker previously spent time on Carolina's practice squad from late August to early November. He was elevated for one game with the Panthers, a Week 8 tilt against the, but he didn't record any offensive snaps. Now, Hooker will provide the Jets with emergency depth behind Brady Cook, Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee).

Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, and the Chiefs are optimistic that the star quarterback could be back as soon as Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, ESPN.com reports.

Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters Wednesday that Mahomes' operation with Dr. Dan Cooper was successful, per Jesse Newell of The Athletic. The recovery process for injuries similar to Mahomes' typically takes around nine months. The 2026 regular season is expected to kick off Sept. 10, so Mahomes has a realistic chance of being back early in the season, and possibly as soon as Week 1, if all goes to plan with his recovery. Gardner Minshew is Kansas City's starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 season following Mahomes' injury in Week 15.

The Colts opened Richardson's (orbital) 21-day practice window Thursday, Amanda Foster of the team's official site reports.

Per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis, Richardson, who last practiced Oct. 10, is likely to be eased back into drills, with some scout-team reps possibly on tap during Thursday's session. While Richardson's return to practice is a step in the right direction, head coach Shane Steichen noted that the signal-caller "still has some vision limitations" as a result of fracturing the orbital bone in his right eye and won't be available for Monday's game against the 49ers. With Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season, Philip Rivers is currently the top quarterback on the Colts' roster, while Riley Leonard is next up on the depth chart.

San Francisco signed Martinez to its practice squad Wednesday, Kyle Madison of USA Today reports.

Just a day after being waived from the Jets' practice squad, Martinez is now back with the 49ers, who also cut him from their practice squad less than two weeks ago. With starter Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones both healthy, Martinez is likely a couple injuries away from seeing any game action for the rest of the season.

Smith (shoulder/back) practiced fully Wednesday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reported that coach Pete Carroll said there was "a good chance" that Smith would rejoin the lineup Sunday against the Texans, and the QB's full practice participation Wednesday sets the stage for that to occur. With Smith inactive in Week 15, Kenny Pickett struggled to get the Raiders offense going in a 31-0 loss to Eagles (the team's eighth straight defeat). In his looming return to action, Smith only merits fantasy consideration in deeper, QB-friendly formats while facing a stout Houston defense.

Taylor (groin) was estimated as a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already stated that Brady Cook will start Sunday versus the Saints, but one of Taylor or Fields will operate as the No. 2 quarterback, health depending. A knee injury suffered Week 14 against the Dolphins prevented Taylor from taking the field during New York's loss to Jacksonville in Week 15.

Fields (knee) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's walk-through practice report, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Fields and Tyrod Taylor (groin) were both limited in practice Wednesday, though jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already named Brady Cook the starter for Sunday's game against the Saints. Which of Fields or Taylor is named the No. 2 quarterback behind Cook will depend on which signal-caller is deemed healthiest.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Tagovailoa will act as the emergency No. 3 quarterback during Sunday's game against the Bengals, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports.

Tagovailoa will not only be benched in favor of rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers versus Cincinnati in Week 16, but he's positioned to be inactive while Zach Wilson remains in the backup role. In that case, Tagovailoa would only be eligible to take the field if both Ewers and Wilson end up forced out of action. Based on the timing of his benching, it won't be surprising if Tagovailoa remains in the No. 3 role for Miami's remaining three regular-season games. Across 14 appearances this year, Tagovailoa has thrown a career-high and league-leading 15 interceptions. If he doesn't take another snap in 2025, Tagovailoa with end the season with a 68 percent completion percentage, 2660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, in addition to the aforementioned INTs. He's also rushed 20 times for 43 yards and fumbled eight times, losing one.