NFL Player News

Dalton (concussion/illness) has cleared the concussion protocol, and the Cowboys activated him from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Nick Eatman of the team's official site reports.

Dalton picked up a concussion Oct. 25 when he took a massive hit while sliding at Washington. A little more than a week later, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on the Tuesday before a Sunday, Nov. 8 matchup with the Steelers. The result was back-to-back DNPs before the Cowboys' Week 10 bye, a span in which Ben DiNucci and then Garrett Gilbert acted as the team's starting QB. On Monday, coach Mike McCarthy said, "He was cleared to participate in practice. ... We had a mock game type of practice. And he was a full participant." While McCarthy wouldn't name a starter, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones previously noted Dalton will be under center when he's healthy. It only seems a matter of time before one of Jones, McCarthy or owner/GM Jerry Jones makes it official.

Dalton (concussion/illness) practiced fully Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With that, the QB is on track to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of Sunday's game against the Vikings. With regard to Dalton starting that game, coach Mike McCarthy noted Monday that Dalton "looked good today. We'll take it one day at a time," Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports. Dalton last suited up Week 7.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday that he won't reveal a starting quarterback until later in the week following news that Drew Brees (ribs) is out 2-to-3 weeks, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

It's a two-man race between Winston and Taysom Hill, and both quarterbacks likely will handle first-team reps in practice this week before Payton names a starter. Winston was mediocre in place of Brees in Sunday's win over San Francisco; he completed six of 10 passes for 63 yards. Hill was up to his usual tricks, piling up 45 yards on eight carries but didn't attempt a pass. This Sunday's matchup against the Falcons' last-ranked pass defense would be an ideal opportunity for Winston to showcase his skills for the Saints and other teams who could be interested in his services next season, and he'll be an intriguing fantasy streamer if that's the case.

Lock is nursing a muscle strain around his ribs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Coach Vic Fangio has shed doubt on whether Lock will practice Wednesday, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, and Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that the 24-year-old could be unable to face the Dolphins on Sunday. Even in the event that Lock is forced to miss a week, the fact that he's avoided any broken bones would seem to indicate that his injury isn't a long-term issue. The Broncos have Brett Rypien and Jeff Driskel on hand if a spot start at quarterback is needed.

Washington placed Allen (ankle) on injured reserve Monday.

Allen sustained a season-ending dislocated/fractured left ankle Week 9, so his placement on IR was all but guaranteed. The 24-year-old signal-caller will require surgery to repair damage to his ankle, and he's reportedly facing roughly a four-month recovery timeframe. For the time being, Alex Smith will command Washington's offense under center while Dwayne Haskins works as his top backup.

The Panthers signed Stevens to the practice squad Monday.

This transaction was made in response to Monday's news that Teddy Bridgewater suffered an MCL sprain in this past Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. If Bridgewater is forced to miss any time, P.J. Walker is expected to start under center while Will Grier serves as the backup. Stevens will be kept around in case of an emergency.

Darnold (shoulder) said Monday that he's "very confident" he will retake the field before the end of the 2020 season, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

Per Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Darnold is nursing an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, the severity of which will cause him to sit out Sunday's game against the Chargers. That will represent Darnold's second straight missed game and his fourth absence of the year. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes that the Jets don't consider Darnold a candidate for IR and that the team has labeled him week-to-week. In the meantime, Joe Flacco will command the Jets offense.

Coach Matt Rhule is hopeful that Bridgewater (knee) will be able to practice Wednesday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Bridgewater underwent an MRI to address a knee injury which forced him out in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 46-23 loss to the Buccaneers, the results of which revealed an MCL sprain. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Panthers consider Bridgewater day-to-day, and Reed notes that Rhule said his quarterback "does not have a significant injury." If he's able to resume practicing quickly, it sounds like Bridgewater could have a solid shot to suit up against Detroit in Week 11. In the event that he misses time, on the other hand, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports that Will Grier and P.J. Walker will compete for the chance to start.

Lock (ribs) may not be able to suit up against the Dolphins on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Lock managed to stay on the field for the entirety of Sunday's 37-12 loss to the Raiders despite playing with obvious discomfort, but it sounds like his chances of playing Week 11 truly are up in the air. Coach Vic Fangio said Monday that Lock is "pretty sore" and may not practice Wednesday, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. Fangio also said that he wants Lock to "have a good week of preparation" before facing Miami's stout defense, so if the second-year signal-caller is indeed forced to miss significant practice time, Brett Rypien could be in line to start.

Darnold (shoulder) won't suit up in Sunday's game versus the Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Jets are exercising caution as the 23-year-old quarterback recovers from a shoulder injury that he picked up Week 8. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, coach Adam Gase said the team is "cautiously optimistic" that Darnold will return Week 12 against the Dolphins, adding that he's week-to-week and IR is not on the table at this time. Until Darnold returns, Joe Flacco is expected to start under center for the Jets.