NFL Player News

Lance (knee) was not spotted at the start of Monday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Lance is dealing with a sprained left knee sustained Week 5, and even coming after a bye it doesn't appear that he's yet ready to resume on-field activities. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) is present Monday and could have a better shot at being available to start Week 7. The 49ers won't be compelled to offer official updates on either quarterback until Wednesday's first injury report of the week is released.

Garoppolo (calf) is participating in the start of Monday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Garoppolo hasn't played since Week 4 due to a bruised right calf, but coming off of a bye it looks like he could be nearing a return to the field. Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Trey Lance (knee) was not spotted Monday, perhaps indicating that Garoppolo has the best chance to start Sunday's upcoming matchup against the Colts. It already was anticipated that coach Kyle Shanahan would name Garoppolo the starter, even in the event that both he and Lance are available Week 7.

Prescott (calf) expects to suit up without issue after a Week 7 bye, and the results of Monday's medical tests are encouraging, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Prescott sustained a right calf strain during the final play of Sunday's overtime win against the Patriots. The immediate timing of Dallas' bye certainly is lucky, as it looks like Prescott will be able to avoid missing time. The 28-year-old has thrown three or more touchdowns in five of six appearances this season.

Coach David Culley said Monday things are being taken "day-to-day" with Taylor (hamstring), Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Culley referred to Taylor as "week-to-week" heading into Sunday's loss to the Colts, so it would appear that he's since taken some steps in the right direction. Per the head coach, the Texans will have more information Wednesday regarding Taylor's readiness to come off IR. If he isn't back in action Week 7 at Arizona, Davis Mills will be called upon for another start. According to Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site, Culley also noted Taylor will be gradually worked back into action once activated rather than immediately returning to his usual workload, suggesting he may not reclaim the starting role right away.

Mayfield (shoulder) expects to play in Thursday's game against the Broncos, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Mayfield initially hurt his left shoulder Week 2 and has been wearing a harness ever since to protect a partially torn labrum. He then injured the shoulder again during Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Cardinals, though he initially stayed in the game despite being down on the field for some time. Mayfield eventually was pulled for Case Keenum once the game got out of hand, and while the Browns' starting QB since has acknowledged that his injury is quite painful, he apparently plans to continue playing through it Thursday night against Denver.

Smith completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 209 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Steelers.

Smith got his first start with Seattle in place of the injured Russell Wilson (finger), and the results were mixed. The 31-year-old struggled mightily in the first half, failing to lead the Seahawks to any points before halftime. The veteran got things rolling in the second half to bring his team back to a tie at the end of regulation, but it was his lost fumble that led to the game-deciding field goal by Chris Boswell. Overall, the passing offense took an expected dip under Smith, and there doesn't appear to be enough upside to make him a viable fantasy starter against the Saints next week.

Jones completed 15 of 21 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 35-29 overtime loss to the Cowboys. He also threw a two-point conversion to Jakobi Meyers.

The rookie once again rarely misfired, and his one interception came on a throw that tipped off Kendrick Bourne's hands straight to Trevon Diggs for a pick-six late in the fourth quarter of the wild back-and-forth affair. Jones didn't flinch, however, and on the Patriots' very next possession, he tossed a 75-yard TD to Bourne. Jones will head into a Week 7 clash with the Jets sporting a stunning 71.1 percent completion rate, albeit with a less impressive 7.0 YPA and 7:6 TD:INT.

Prescott suffered a right calf strain on the final play of Sunday's 35-29 overtime win over New England, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports. Prior to suffering the injury, he completed 36 of 51 passes for 445 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, in addition to running three times for 10 yards and losing a fumble.

Prescott hurt himself while throwing the game-winning 35-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb in overtime. Prior to that play, Prescott found Blake Jarwin and Lamb for a pair of one-yard touchdowns in regulation. He also turned the ball over twice in the red zone. With the Cowboys on bye in Week 7, Prescott will likely have sufficient time to heal up before a Week 8 trip to Minnesota.

Bridgewater completed 35 of 49 pass attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions Sunday in the Broncos' 34-24 loss to the Raiders.

Bridgewater of course deserves some blame for the three interceptions, but the strong Vegas pass rush made it difficult by sacking him five times, and that's before you bring up the outrageous 17 hits Bridgewater withstood in the contest. Bridgewater's numbers on the year are generally quite clean -- now at 10 touchdowns versus four interceptions -- so the Broncos should be willing to look past the pressure and turnover struggles from this game, especially since he stood tough and delivered the 334 yards and three touchdowns. A road trip to Cleveland in Week 7 brings its own substantial pass rush concern with Myles Garrett awaiting.

Keenum completed one of three passes for six yards after replacing Baker Mayfield (shoulder) late in Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Cardinals.

Mayfield was able to play through his shoulder injury and remained in the game until it was well out of hand, so it seems likely he'll be under center for a Week 7 home tilt against the Broncos. If he winds up being shut down, however, Keenum would get the nod against the team he started 16 games for in 2018.