NFL Player News

Penix (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, though Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Friday that he feels good about Penix's chances of playing, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Penix has had his practice reps limited by a knee injury that he sustained late in Atlanta's Week 7 loss to the 49ers. The second-year quarterback seems to be trending toward playing, but if Penix is unable to suit up, Kirk Cousins would be the next man up at home against the 1-6 Dolphins. A final determination on Penix's status may not come until 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

In the event that Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is unable to play Sunday against the Bears, coach John Harbaugh noted Friday that Huntley would get the starting nod over Cooper Rush.

Harbaugh described Jackson as a full practice participant Friday but fell short of declaring that the star QB would play Sunday. In any case, if the Ravens elect to hold Jackson out this weekend, Rush isn't in consideration to fill in, after having gone 0-2 while subbing in for the 1-5 team. Huntley thus represents an option for those who roster Jackson and don't already have a contingency plan.

Jackson (right hamstring) was a full practice participant Friday, according to coach John Harbaugh.

After being limited Wednesday and Thursday, Jackson is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears. The Ravens' upcoming injury report will reveal both the star QB's official participation level Friday, as well as whether he heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared for Week 8 action. In the event that Jackson ends up sidelined this weekend, however, Harbaugh noted that the team would turn to Tyler Huntley (who is currently on the practice squad), rather than Cooper Rush, who has gone 0-2 while filling in as Baltimore's starting signal-caller.

Dalton will start Sunday's game against the Bills, a Panthers spokesperson confirmed Friday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Dalton will be the starter even if Bryce Young (ankle) is medically cleared to play. Young is listed as doubtful. Dalton has made 168 previous regular-season starts, including six with the Panthers. He's 1-5 in those six starts for Carolina.

Young (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Buffalo.

Young didn't practice at all this week, after making an early exit from last Sunday's win over the Jets. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton is expected to start Week 8, and while it won't be surprising if he makes additional starts, the Panthers are still calling Young day-to-day with a high-ankle sprain.

Jackson (right hamstring) practiced Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson logged limited practices both Wednesday and Thursday, with the QB's official Friday participation level slated to add context with regard to his chances of returning to action Sunday against the Bears. Jackson last played Sept. 28 against Kansas City, with Cooper Rush having gone 0-2 as the Ravens' starter since then.

Taylor (knee) will remain limited at Friday's practice and be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Head coach Aaron Glenn has yet to name a starter for Sunday's game. Taylor could get the nod given Justin Fields' recent struggles, but Taylor will first have to gain medical clearance to play Sunday. Regardless of who is under center, the Jets will remain without top wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) this weekend.

Wentz (shoulder) is expected to cede the starting quarterback role to J.J. McCarthy (ankle) in Week 9 against the Lions, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Wentz's injury may be a bigger concern than McCarthy's at this point, as Wentz played through significant pain while using a harness on his left non-throwing shoulder in Thursday's 37-10 loss to the Chargers. Wentz was listed as a full participant in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but those were practice estimates as the Vikings held walkthroughs. Even if Wentz is medically cleared to take the field Week 9, McCarthy has been steadily progressing in his recovery from an ankle injury and should be ready to take the reins by Sunday, Nov. 2.

With Brock Purdy (toe) unlikely to be ready to play Sunday against the Texans, Jones is expected to make another start at quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jones has been starting since Week 2 and appears to be ready to make a sixth consecutive start, as Purdy continues to deal with his turf toe issue. Across his five starts, Jones has completed 67 percent of his passes at 6.9 yards per attempt with six touchdowns and four interceptions. He's done enough to help manage the 49ers to four wins across those five games, but Jones carries minimal fantasy value outside of two-quarterback formats.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said after Thursday night's loss to the Chargers that McCarthy (ankle) will start Week 9 against the Lions if he's healthy, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

McCarthy hasn't played since Week 2, as Carson Wentz has started each of the Vikings' last five contests. However, Wentz -- who has been playing through a painful left (non-throwing) shoulder issue -- was sacked five times Thursday and looked defeated at the end of the loss to the Chargers, as he was pressured and hit relentlessly by the Los Angeles defense. The Vikings have dropped two games in a row and three of the last four with Wentz at quarterback. McCarthy has been logging limited practices of late, and he'll now have 10 days to try and get ready for a date with Detroit.