NFL Player News

The Bears activated Fields (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Fields spent exactly one week on the COVID-19 list as a result of a positive test for the virus, forcing him to sit out the Bears' season finale. He thus ended his rookie campaign with 12 appearances, 10 of them starts, en route to 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 59 percent passing. The 2021 first-round pick also racked up 72 carries for 420 yards and two more scores. With Andy Dalton and potentially Nick Foles iffy to be around next season, Fields doesn't have any impediments to the starting quarterback gig in Chicago moving forward.

Brissett logged five starts (11 appearances) in 2021, and concludes the campaign with 141 completions on 225 pass attempts, for 1,283 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Brissett was only able to lead Miami's offense to two wins during his time at the helm, and on the season he only averaged 5.7 yards per pass attempt. Though Brissett added 19 carries for 3.7 yards and a score, he also lost three of six fumbles. The 29-year-old veteran is now scheduled for free agency, meaning he will likely have to pursue his next backup gig elsewhere.

Driskel (collarbone) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Driskel was placed on the COVID list Thursday, missing about a week before returning to injured reserve Wednesday. The tight end will remain on IR going into the 2022 offseason where he will become a free agent.

Rodgers said Wednesday that his fractured left pinkie toe won't be an issue in the postseason, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers has been contending with the injury since his return from a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list that forced him to sit out a Week 9 matchup with the Chiefs. While he didn't record a touchdown in his return Week 10 against the Seahawks, he's been on an absolute tear in the meantime, throwing for 20 scores versus no interceptions while racking up 1,929 yards over the last seven games. Rodgers relayed he hasn't taken a pain-killing injection in his toe since it was stepped on just before halftime of a Christmas Day win over the Browns, a span of two contests. He also practiced Wednesday, after which he noted that he was "close to 100 percent." The Packers won't play their first playoff game until Jan. 22 or 23.

Hurts (ankle) was a full participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice.

While it wasn't a traditional practice session, Hurts has still received the full participation label on two straight injury reports dating back to last week. The Eagles opted to keep the second-year pro on the sideline this past Saturday versus the Cowboys, allowing Gardner Minshew to make a spot start under center Week 18. With Hurts continuing to demonstrate improved health since first sustaining the ankle injury Week 12, he's slated to lead the offense again for Sunday's postseason opener in Tampa Bay.

Garoppolo (thumb) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Garoppolo came back from a one-week absence to lead the Niners to a dramatic overtime win Sunday against the Rams. His thumb didn't appear to be too much of an issue during the contest, but it's still something he'll need to manage throughout the playoffs for however long the Niners stay alive. They start off on the road in Dallas, with a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Allen made two appearances during the 2021 campaign, completing 12 of 19 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown for Washington.

Allen came back from last year's broken leg and earned a spot on the team as the No. 3 quarterback, then quickly rose to No. 2 on the depth chart after Ryan Fitzpatrick injured his hip Week 1 and didn't return for the rest of the season. No matter, Allen barely ended up playing, with Taylor Heinicke enjoying a healthy season under center, though his performance was less than stellar, especially toward the end. Allen is scheduled for restricted free agency in the offseason, and presumably will be viewed as a backup whether he stays in Washington or ends up elsewhere. Heinicke, meanwhile, is signed through 2022.

Mullens did not play in Week 18's 21-16 win over Cincinnati.

Mullens was added to the active roster after quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) was shut down leading up to the season finale and served as the backup to Case Keenum. Mullens made one start in Week 15 when both Mayfield and Keenum were on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He enters the offseason without a contract, but his knowledge of the system could be of value to the Browns, who are considered playoff worthy despite a disappointing 2021.

Rudolph completed 35 of 58 passes for 277 yards, a touchdown and an interception while rushing five times for 53 yards across two appearances during the 2021 regular season.

Rudolph made one start for the Steelers in 2021 after Ben Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID-19, and he had plenty of volume with 50 pass attempts in the Week 10 tie against the Lions. He made an appearance in relief during the team's Week 16 matchup against Kansas City and should remain the top backup heading into the playoffs. Roethlisberger has publicly expressed that he's weighing retirement following the 2021 campaign, so Rudolph could have a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job in Pittsburgh next year.

Burrow (knee) practiced fully Tuesday, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

In his last appearance Week 17, Burrow limped off the field moments before Evan McPherson (groin) kicked a game-winning field goal in a 34-31 victory over Kansas City. The QB eventually followed a DNP/LP/FP practice regimen during prep for the season finale, and while he entered this past weekend as questionable, he didn't travel with the Bengals and was ruled out ahead of a contest at Cleveland that had no impact on Cincinnati's playoff seeding. Burrow's knee injury may have been fortuitous, as he was able to get a week of rest ahead of Saturday's wild-card matchup with the Raiders. He also enters the postseason red hot, having posted at least 440 yards and four touchdowns through the air in back-to-back contests before sitting out Week 18.