NFL Player News

Stafford (ribs/thumb) returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Tennessee.

A report earlier Friday suggested Stafford would miss a third straight practice, but he apparently managed some level of activity, potentially setting up a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The Lions technically can still make the playoffs, but they realistically have a better shot at landing a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In any case, Chase Daniel will get the Week 15 start if Stafford shows up on the inactive list, which will be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

McCoy took the first reps with the first-team offense at Friday's practice and could start Sunday's game against the Browns with Daniel Jones (ankle/hamstring) listed as questionable for the contest, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

McCoy picked up a start Week 13 against Seattle while Jones was sidelined with a right hamstring injury, but the latter was back in action for last week's loss to the Cardinals, only to exit early with a left ankle sprain. Though Jones was able to practice on a limited basis in each of the Giants' three practices this week, he didn't look to be moving around particularly well in the first and third of those sessions, which were both open to the media. Given that Jones' compromised mobility played a major role in the Giants' listless showing on offense last week against the Cardinals, the coaching staff may prefer to err on the side of caution and hold Jones out for another game in favor of McCoy, who served as a competent game manager in the team's upset win over Seattle. The Giants and Browns won't play until 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, but expect clarity on New York's plans at quarterback to arrive well before kickoff.

Jones (ankle/hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Jones was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday, sharing reps with backup quarterback Colt McCoy. His status could come down to a game-time decision ahead of the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday, with Jones hoping to fight through a sprained ankle and injured hamstring. He didn't look good in a 26-7 loss to the Cardinals last week, throwing for only 127 yards before he was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter.

Jones (hamstring/ankle) is practicing Friday, but Colt McCoy looks set to receive most of the reps with the first-team offense, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Raanan suggests that Jones will be listed as a limited participant for the third time this week, but it isn't yet clear if he'll be designated as questionable, doubtful or out on the Giants' final Week 15 injury report. Jones missed Week 13 with a right hamstring injury, then sprained his left ankle when he returned to action in last week's loss to the Cardinals. The Giants will release their injury report shortly after Friday's practice concludes.

Stafford (ribs/thumb) won't participate in Friday's practice, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old hasn't practiced this week while dealing with the rib-cartilage and thumb injuries, though the Lions aren't yet ruling him out for Sunday's matchup with the Titans. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Stafford is feeling better and will be traveling with the team to Tennessee, but the release of the injury report later Friday should provide a better idea of his availability for Sunday. Chase Daniel has taken all the first-team reps in practice this week and would draw the Week 15 start if Stafford can't go.

Coach Jon Gruden said after Thursday's 30-27 overtime loss to the Chargers that Carr's groin injury is "significant" but not a tear, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

That would seem to rule out a worst-case scenario for Carr, who pulled up awkwardly early in the first half due to a non-contact groin injury. Marcus Mariota filled in admirably in emergency duty, throwing for 226 yards with a touchdown while also setting a franchise record at the QB position with 88 rushing yards and another TD. However, Mariota also threw a gut-wrenching interception near the Chargers' end zone with less than two minutes on the clock. Carr will benefit from a few extra days of rest before the Raiders next suit up on Dec. 26 versus the Dolphins, but if he can't go, Mariota has at least proven the ability to competently command this offense.

Mariota entered Thursday's night's 30-27 overtime loss to the Chargers for Derek Carr (groin) with 13:29 remaining in the second quarter and completed 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed nine times for 88 yards and another score.

Seeing his first game action since the Titans' AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs in January, Mariota looked like he hadn't missed a beat, hitting Fabian Moreau for a 22-yard gain on his first pass attempt and culminating his first drive with a 35-yard scoring strike to Darren Waller. The 2015 second overall pick continued to produce throughout the contest, leading three scoring drives comprised of at least 10 plays and impressively capping off the penultimate one with a two-yard touchdown dive into the right corner of the end zone. Mariota's late fourth-quarter interception may very well have cost the Raiders a win, considering it came at the Chargers' 16-yard line with under two minutes to play and the score tied, but it's difficult to find fault overall with what the sixth-year pro was able to do in an emergency capacity. Carr will have a couple of extra days to try and heal up for a Week 16 Saturday night battle against the Dolphins on Dec. 26, but if he's ultimately unable to suit up, Mariota will be in line to start a potentially critical game for Las Vegas.

Herbert completed 22 of 32 passes for 314 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Chargers' 30-27 overtime win over the Raiders on Thursday night.

He also rushed four times for 14 yards and a game-winning score, committing a fumble on the play prior to that, which was recovered by fullback Gabe Nabers. The rookie QB had been in somewhat of a yardage slump by his lofty standards, as he'd fallen short of the 300-yard mark in two straight games after eclipsing the figure in six of his first 10 career contests. However, a back-and-forth affair that culminated in an extra period offered the 22-year-old just enough opportunity to get back to a hefty tally through the air Thursday. Herbert has paid off handsomely in both a real-world and fantasy sense during a prolific first season as a pro and he'll look to continue his momentum against the Broncos in a Week 16 matchup Sunday, Dec. 27.

Carr (groin) is ruled out to return to Thursday's game against the Chargers.

Carr was ruled out just as the second quarter began, which paves the way for Marcus Mariota to conclude Thursday's contest under center. He only had a chance to complete three of five passes for 53 yards before being forced out with a non-contact groin injury. Carr will benefit from a bit of extra time to get healthy ahead of the Raiders' Dec. 26 tilt against the Dolphins.

Carr (groin) limped off the field and into the locker room in the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Chargers, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Carr pulled up awkwardly while scrambling near the goal line on a third down play, evidently suffering a non-contact groin injury. He's officially questionable to return. Marcus Mariota will helm Las Vegas' offense if Carr isn't able to return for the next offensive series.