NFL Player News

Coach Ron Rivera said Allen, who will be Washington's starting quarterback Sunday against the Rams, will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Despite losing the past three games, Washington finds itself behind just the Eagles (1-2-1) and tied with the Cowboys (1-3) in the NFC East. Allen himself served as the backup to Dwayne Haskins through the quarter mark of the season, but the latter's play seems to have been at the forefront of Rivera's decision. Even after posting season bests in completion percentage (71) and yards (314) this past Sunday against the Ravens, Haskins was sitting at 61 percent, 234.8 yards per game and four touchdowns versus three interceptions. Meanwhile, Allen, who followed Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner from Carolina to DC, has experience in the system. In 12 starts last year for the Panthers, Allen completed 62 percent of his passes, averaged 252.3 yards per game and had 17 TDs versus 15 picks.

Jackson (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Hensley points out that this is the first time that the QB has missed back-to-back regular season practices during his three-year NFL career. Initial reports indicated that Jackson's knee issue isn't considered serious, but obviously what he's able to do at practice Friday will be telling with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Mayfield completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 165 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 49-38 win over the Cowboys. He also added six yards on three rushing attempts.

Mayfield wasn't particularly effective Week 4 with just 5.5 yards per attempt, but he didn't need to be, as Nick Chubb (knee) and Kareem Hunt led a potent ground attack, while wideout Jarvis Landry performed some trickery on a touchdown pass to Odell Beckham, who also rushed for a touchdown. It's fair to discount Mayfield's performance while going up against a putrid Cowboys defense, but a Week 5 matchup against the Colts should prove to be a better test, especially with Chubb sidelined. The Colts rank first in the league with just 159 passing yards allowed per game.

Garoppolo (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, Garoppolo's reps were capped in his first on-field work since suffering a high right ankle sprain Week 2. He'll have two more chances to prove the health of his ankle before the 49ers make a decision on their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Another absence from Garoppolo will result in one of Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard starting at quarterback.

Jackson sat out practice Wednesday with a knee issue that isn't considered serious, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The report notes that Jackson was held out of practice for "precautionary reasons," which led to Robert Griffin handling first-team reps at quarterback. Jackson's status will be revisited when the Ravens practice again Thursday, but so far, there's no reason to think that his availability for Sunday's game against the Bengals is in any danger.

Garoppolo (ankle) is expected to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The appearance at practice will mark Garoppolo's first since he sprained his right ankle Week 2. Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned Monday that he hoped Garoppolo would take the field Wednesday, and it appears as if the quarterback will do just that. That said, it's unclear whether Garoppolo will do enough this week to return Sunday against the Dolphins. If Garoppolo doesn't play, Shanahan will have to make a decision to start either Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard under center.

Allen (left shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.

Allen's ability to take every rep at the Bills' first Week 5 session signals that he avoided a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder during Sunday's win over Las Vegas. He'll resume his starting role Sunday in Tennessee, though the status of the game itself remains up in the air due to several positive COVID-19 test results of late among Titans players and staff.

Darnold (shoulder) said Wednesday that he doesn't know whether his AC joint sprain is a one-week injury, or if he'll need more recovery time, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

The Jets have already ruled Darnold out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, but his status for Week 6 and beyond is more muddled while he contends with an injury that the team is viewing as a week-to-week concern. At least for one game, Joe Flacco will step in as the Jets' new starting quarterback.

Lock (shoulder) will practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Lock's limited session Wednesday signifies his first recorded practice work since suffering a rotator/labral injury to his right throwing shoulder Week 2. The Broncos will evaluate Lock in practice as the week continues before making a final decision on his availability for Sunday's game in New England, but the second-year signal looks as though he has a legitimate chance of playing this weekend. Mike Klis of 9News Denver notes that Lock was cleared to resume throwing Monday, giving the Broncos additional hope that he might be ready to go after a two-game absence.

Jackson isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

The official reason for Jackson's absence will be revealed when Baltimore releases its first Week 5 injury report later Wednesday. At this time, the Ravens haven't indicated whether their star quarterback is dealing with any sort of injury, or if he's sitting out the session for rest/personal reasons.