NFL Player News

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Thompson-Robinson remains in the concussion protocol, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Thompson-Robinson missed Week 13 while in the concussion protocol, and he will need to gain full clearance before returning to the lineup. As such, his status is still in question for Cleveland's matchup against Jacksonville in Week 14. If Thompson-Robinson can't return to full health before the Browns take on the Jaguars, Joe Flacco will likely draw another start, with PJ Walker also being an option.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Pickett won't be available for Thursday's game against the Patriots after undergoing successful tightrope surgery to address a right high-ankle sprain, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Pickett is expected to avoid a stint on injured reserve, which would keep him sidelined through Week 17. Nonetheless, the second-year quarterback will have to miss at least one game due to the injury that knocked him out of this past Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Cardinals. The Steelers are hopeful that Pickett's decision to get surgery will accelerate his recovery, but he still will have a tough time gaining clearance for the Steelers' Week 15 game in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 16. Mitch Trubisky will step in as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback Week 14, after he came on in relief of Pickett against Arizona and completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

The Giants announced Monday that Taylor (ribs) has been designated to return from IR.

Taylor enters the mix to potentially start versus the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Undrafted rookie Tommy Devito is riding a two-game winning streak however, so a quarterback change may be unlikely for New York. Taylor did perform adequately when healthy earlier this season, so it wouldn't be out of the question for him to get another crack at the starting job this season. The veteran QB hasn't played since Week 8 due to an injury to his rib cage.

The Giants are expected to designate Taylor (ribs) for a return from IR and open his practice window this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Taylor's 21-day practice window will open as soon as he's officially designated to return from IR, meaning he could be an option to start versus the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 14. Undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito has led New York to a two-game win streak, however, so Taylor could end up working in a backup capacity once back in the lineup.

Pickett (ankle) will undergo ankle surgery Monday but is not expected to be placed on IR, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

Pickett is expected to miss extended time due to the right ankle injury he suffered during Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Cardinals, but by not placing him on IR the Steelers are leaving a window open for him to return earlier than Week 18. While Pittsburgh hasn't yet officially ruled Pickett out for Thursday's matchup against the Patriots, that announcement currently seems all but inevitable. Mitch Trubisky will start under center for the Steelers until Pickett is deemed healthy.

The Saints have placed Carr in the concussion protocol following Sunday's 33-28 loss to the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Carr was carted off the field during Sunday's loss, and in addition to sustaining a concussion he was evaluated for back and shoulder injuries. This is his second time in the concussion protocol in a three-game span, a fact that casts significant doubt on his chances of returning to the lineup in time to take on the Panthers in Week 14. Jameis Winston would be in line to start for New Orleans if Carr misses time.

Mills completed his lone pass attempt for 18 yards in Sunday's 22-17 win over Denver in Week 13.

Starting quarterback C.J. Stroud was ordered to the sidelines for evaluation following a quarterback sneak during the fourth quarter. Mills was needed for two plays before Stroud reentered the contest. Mills handed off to Dameon Pierce then fired an 18-yard strike to Nico Collins. He's played just three snaps all season.

Stroud was checked for concussion symptoms and missed two plays during Sunday's 22-17 win over the Broncos, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stroud was a bit wobbly after being helped up following a 3rd-and-1 quarterback sneak during the fourth quarter and left the game to be checked. Davis Mills replaced him under center for two plays before Stroud re-entered the contest. It was the second time this season that Stroud was checked for symptoms, but he's missed just three plays. Mills handed off to Dameon Pierce and completed an 18-yard pass to Nico Collins before heading back to the sidelines. Stroud took a number of shots Sunday, as the Broncos sacked him three times and delivered eight quarterback hits overall.

Stafford completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 36-19 win over the Browns.

The veteran quarterback lit up a Cleveland secondary that was missing top corner Denzel Ward (shoulder), with a 70-yard TD to Puka Nacua in the first quarter setting the tone for the afternoon. Stafford had thrown more than one touchdown in a game only once this season prior to last week, but over the last two games he's erupted for seven TDs against just one INT. His surge could come to an abrupt halt in Week 14 on the road against the Ravens, however.

Flacco completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 36-19 loss to the Rams.

Seeing his first game action since Week 18 of last season, Flacco provided the Browns with some stability at quarterback as he tossed a 24-yard TD to Jerome Ford in the first quarter and an eight-yard score to Harrison Bryant in the fourth. The 38-year-old QB played well enough to potentially stick around on the roster, but per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starter for a Week 14 clash with the Jaguars, suggesting that rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) is still in the mix if he clears the league's protocol before next Sunday.