NFL Player News

Pickett has cleared the league's concussion protocol Friday and is on track to suit up Sunday versus the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pickett is in line to start over Mitch Trubisky versus Miami on Sunday Night Football, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. The rookie first-round pick has managed to practice in full all week, a trend which stands to continue Friday and bodes well for him being at full speed this weekend. Pickett also will have top tight end Pat Freiermuth back from the concussion protocol for Week 7.

Dalton completed 30 of 47 attempts for 361 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night. He also rushed four times for 21 yards.

Dalton's night was the epitome of a mixed bag, as he offset his highest passing yardage total since Week 16 of the 2020 season with three back-breaking interceptions, the first at the Cardinals' nine-yard line followed by a pair of pick-sixes on back-to-back possessions late in the second quarter that changed the dynamic of the game for good. To his credit, Dalton kept battling with a short-handed pass-catching corps down Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) and helped get New Orleans within eight points via a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Juwan Johnson before the rally fell short. Despite the gaudy numbers, it's likely Jameis Winston (back/ankle), who's been healthy enough to serve as the No. 2 quarterback the last two games, returns to starting duty for a Week 8 home matchup against the Raiders a week from Sunday.

Murray completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in the Cardinals' 42-34 win over the Saints on Thursday night. He also rushed seven times for 30 yards, threw a two-point conversion pass and committed a fumble that he recovered.

While the Cardinals exploded for 42 points, the defense provided a major lift with a pair of pick-sixes. Murray also had a very public heated exchange with head coach Kliff Kingsbury on the sideline during the first half, but he went on to display immediate chemistry with the returning DeAndre Hopkins, who was making his season debut after completing a six-game suspension. Murray connected with Hopkins on 10 occasions for 103 yards, and he hit Greg Dortch for a five-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter for his one scoring toss, which was preceded by a two-point conversion pass to Zach Ertz following the second of the Cardinals' back-to-back pick-sixes late in the first half. Murray also targeted newcomer Robbie Anderson once, and the entire offense should have a chance to be much more cohesive with the extra time afforded ahead of a Week 8 road matchup against the Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Coach Dennis Allen confirmed Andy Dalton (back) as the Saints' starting quarterback Thursday in Arizona, ensuring Winston (back/ankle) will be the team's backup, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

While both Dalton and Winston exited Week 7 prep without injury designations, New Orleans will continue to hold off on reinstalling Winston in the starting lineup due to tending to four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury already this season. Winston instead will serve as the No. 2 for a second consecutive contest, with his next chance to take over the top gig Sunday, Oct. 30 against the Raiders.

Coach Dennis Allen confirmed Dalton (back) will be the Saints' starting quarterback Thursday at Arizona, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

Both Dalton and Jameis Winston (back/ankle) avoided designations for New Orleans' Week 7 matchup, but the team will continue to roll with the former for at least one more game. The team doesn't want to press Winston into action prematurely after he's dealt with four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury already this season. Meanwhile, Dalton will earn a fourth consecutive start under center, which so far has resulted in 585 yards passing, three touchdowns and one interception on the first three occasions.

Jackson (hip) returned to a full practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson was listed as limited Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday puts the Ravens' QB in line to start Sunday's game against the Browns. Given Jackson's proven ability to supplement his passing production with rushing stats, the 25-year-old remains an automatic fantasy play as long as he's healthy and available.

Fields (shoulder) wasn't listed on the Bears' first Week 7 injury report Thursday.

Fields aggravated a left shoulder injury during last Thursday's 12-7 defeat to the Commanders, but with a mini-bye to heal up he's sidestepped the practice report entirely to kick off Week 7 prep. He's thus on pace to face a Patriots defense Monday that has allowed 233.7 passing yards per game and nine touchdowns versus six interceptions to opposing quarterbacks in six contests this season.

Jones (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Jones appeared to be moving around well at the start of Thursday's practice. At this stage, Jones seems to be trending toward a return to action Monday night against the Bear,s barring any setbacks, but it's still plausible that he'll approach the contest officially listed as questionable.

Prescott (thumb) remained a full practice participant Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After logging a second consecutive uncapped session, Prescott met with the media Thursday. When asked if he was slated to start Sunday against the Lions, he told Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, "I am. I think anyway." While coach Mike McCarthy has yet to confirm as much, Prescott is trending toward resuming his role as the Cowboys' No. 1 quarterback this weekend after missing the last five games due to a fractured right thumb.

Pickett (concussion) practiced fully Thursday, ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports.

Pickett has practiced fully both Wednesday and Thursday, but it's not clear whether that indicates any particular amount of progress in clearing the league's concussion protocol. If Pickett gains clearance he would presumably start at Miami on Sunday night.