NFL Player News

Coach Sean McDermott noted Friday that Allen (foot) will be limited at practice Friday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Per the report, McDermott said that the QB will be "good to go" for Sunday's game against the Jets, and he'll continue to take it one day at time in the meantime. Friday's final injury report will clarify whether Allen carries an injury designation into the weekend, but in the event that he is active for the Bills' regular-season finale, it remains to be seen how long he'd stay in the game, with the team potentially prioritizing keeping Allen healthy ahead of the postseason. One possible scenario would involve Allen making a cameo Sunday in order to preserve his consecutive start streak, which stands at 121 regular-season contests.

Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Willis maintained his activity level from Wednesday's session as he tends to the right shoulder injury that he aggravated this past Saturday against the Ravens. Even if he's able to enter the weekend without a designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota, he doesn't have a chance to start, as coach Matt LaFleur announced Thursday that Clayton Tune will get the Week 18 nod, while Jordan Love cleared concussion protocol.

Jackson (back) practiced fully Thursday.

Jackson, who was inactive Week 17 due to a back contusion, now has logged consecutive full practices, and when asked whether he'd be available to start in Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Steelers, the QB left little doubt that he plans to play, noting that he will "100 percent" be out there Week 18. Meanwhile, Jackson, who indicated Thursday that he feels "great" at this stage, plans to use extra padding to protect his back this weekend in a game in which the AFC North title is on the line, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Gabriel (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Gabriel was inactive for the Browns' Week 17 win over the Steelers due to a shoulder injury. The rookie QB's ability to practice in full Thursday means he should be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bengals, when he'll serve as the Browns' backup behind Shedeur Sanders.

Mariota (hand) did not practice Thursday.

Mariota is considered doubtful for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Eagles, so it's unsurprising to see him once again listed as a non-participant. The expectation is that Washington will roll with Josh Johnson under center versus Philadelphia on Sunday.

McCarthy (right hand) practiced fully Thursday.

McCarthy sat out last Thursday against the Lions due to a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand that he sustained Week 16 at the Giants. He got back on the field Tuesday and had a "really positive" throwing session, as coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. With a full practice now under his belt, McCarthy is set to take on the Packers in Week 18.

Taylor (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor continues to work through a lingering knee injury that popped up in mid-December, so Friday's practice report should shed light on whether the veteran signal-caller will be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills. If Taylor is unable to play, then Hendon Hooker would likely be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to serve as the Jets' backup quarterback behind Brady Cook.

Jackson (back) was present for Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

After logging a full practice Wednesday, Jackson's presence for Thursday's session has him tracking toward returning to the starting lineup Sunday night against the Steelers. On Wednesday, coach John Harbaugh told Hensley that he was "very optimistic" about Jackson playing this weekend, and if the QB is officially deemed a full participant once again Thursday, he'd presumably be in line to head into the weekend without a Week 18 injury designation.

Allen (foot) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Allen was deemed a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, with the QB's absence a day later setting the stage for Friday's injury report to add further context in terms of his status for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Jets. As Week 18 approaches, the Bills are currently the No. 7 playoff seed in the AFC, though either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed are in play for the team. It remains to be seen, though, how Buffalo's coaching staff plans to proceed with Allen this weekend as he continues to manage a foot issue, with head coach Sean McDermott thus far not tipping his hand regarding who will or won't be playing, per Getzenberg.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday that Tune will start Sunday's regular-season finale on the road against Minnesota, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Tune will start Week 18 despite Jordan Love having fully cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, with Green Bay already having secured the No. 7 seed on the NFC side of the playoffs and opting to prioritize the health of its starters. Per Weston Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site, it has not yet been determined who will operate as Tune's backup versus the Vikings on Sunday between Malik Willis (shoulder/hamstring) and recent practice-squad signee Desmond Ridder, or even Love. It will be a tough ask for Tune to find much success against Minnesota and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, especially if Green Bay decides to rest other offensive starters at the skill positions.