NFL Player News

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) ruled out, Flacco is in line to start at QB for the Browns in Sunday's game against the Rams, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com and Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer report.

Per Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site, Flacco took reps with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday and Thursday, and now that it's been confirmed that Thompson-Robinson will be unavailable this weekend, the veteran signal-caller is slated to be elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 13 action in order to draw the start Sunday, with PJ Walker handling backup duties. In that context, Flacco represents a fantasy option for those in deeper formats or who are otherwise impacted by the fact that six NFL teams have byes this week.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Rams, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

With Thompson-Robinson unavailable this week due to a concussion, veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco is poised to be elevated from the Browns' practice ahead of Sunday's contest in order to draw the start Week 13. Thompson-Robinson now will target a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 10 against the Jaguars.

Rodgers (Achilles) was ruled out Friday for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

The 40-year-old is said to be targeting a return Week 16 against Washington, though he's made it clear he won't come back this season unless the Jets have a chance to make the playoffs. Rodgers was limited in practice Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a Thursday absence, with Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reporting that the QB intends to intensify his regimen next week. Rodgers plans to practice on consecutive days next week and hasn't ruled out returning to games before the reported Week 16 target date. In the meantime, Tim Boyle and company need to beat the Falcons this Sunday to keep any realistic hope alive for a playoff berth and a Rodgers return.

Rodgers (Achilles) will be a limited participant in practice Friday, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

According to Allen, Rodgers is alternating practices and days off as part of his rehab schedule. Rodgers had his 21-day window to return from IR opened Wednesday, but he's unlikely to be activated until the end of that window, if at all. Per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Rodgers plans to increase his practice regimen next week in hopes of moving up his return timeline, though Rodgers also said Thursday that "I don't think it would make a ton of sense" to play in a game with no playoff implications, so the 4-7 Jets would likely have to string some wins together and remain in the playoff hunt for Rodgers to have a chance at suiting up for the team again in 2023.

Smith completed 23 of 41 passes for 334 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Seahawks' 41-35 loss to the Cowboys on Thursday night. He also rushed twice for six yards and another score.

Smith put up a stat line befitting a victory, but a trio of late stalled drives helped scuttle that outcome. However, the veteran signal-caller still finished with a highly fantasy-friendly performance, connecting with DK Metcalf for touchdown passes of 73, one and three yards while adding a five-yard scoring scamper of his own early in the third quarter. However, Smith completed just six of his 15 pass attempts over the aforementioned final three possessions, with what appeared to be a miscommunication in Seattle's blocking scheme on fourth down with 1:07 remaining forcing him to get rid of the ball much sooner than he would have liked and sealing Dallas' win. Despite the undesirable outcome, Smith did record his fourth 300-yard game of the campaign and fifth multi-touchdown effort as well, while his rushing score was his first of the season. Next up for Smith and the Seahawks is a Week 14 road rematch against the 49ers that will be critical to Seattle's postseason hopes.

Prescott completed 29 of 41 passes for 299 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Cowboys' 41-35 win over the Seahawks on Thursday night. He also rushed seven times for 23 yards and threw for a two-point conversion.

Prescott and the Cowboys as a whole likely got a lot more than they bargained for from the opposing offense, which helped lead to a busy night for Dallas' star quarterback. He proved he was up to the task of pulling out a rare close game at home, connecting with CeeDee Lamb (15 yards), Brandin Cooks (seven yards) and Jake Ferguson (12 yards) for his trio of scores. The latter touchdown pass came with 4:37 remaining and was followed by a two-point conversion toss to Cooks, taking the Cowboys from a five-point deficit to three-point advantage. Prescott now has at least three touchdown passes in five of the last six contests, and he fell just short of a fifth 300-yard game in that span as well. With the hard-fought win in hand, Prescott and teammates now have extra time to prepare for a Week 14 home showdown against the Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 10 that could ultimately help decide the NFC East.

Lance (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Seahawks, but he will be available as the emergency No. 3 quarterback.

The Cowboys' top two quarterbacks, Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, would have to be unavailable due to injury or disqualification for Lance to see action. The 2021 first-round pick of the 49ers has been playing this role since getting traded to Dallas in August.

Rodgers (Achilles) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

One day after he was designated for return from injured reserve and took part in practice as a limited participant, Rodgers was a spectator for the Jets' second session of the week. As Cimini notes, Rodgers' absence from practice wasn't the result of any setback in his recovery from Achilles surgery, as the quarterback's rehab plan simply calls for him to mix in lighter days of activity as he works his way back closer to full strength. Rodgers continues to target the team's Week 16 matchup with the Commanders for his potential return to game action, though he's stated that any comeback attempt this season will hinge on the 4-7 Jets remaining in playoff contention by late December.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Earlier Thursday, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer that Thompson-Robinson underwent additional concussion testing. The rookie quarterback ultimately wasn't able to advance to limited practice participation, which would have represented a sign of progress as he navigates the five-step protocol. Thompson-Robinson could still have a chance at playing Sunday against the Rams if he's able to get back on the practice field in some capacity Friday, but at this stage, veteran Joe Flacco looks to be trending toward the Week 13 start. Flacco remains on the practice squad for now, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Flacco is now viewed as the top understudy to Thompson-Robinson, with PJ Walker dropping to third on the depth chart.

Levis (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The ankle injury resulted in Levis' practice reps being capped Wednesday, but his return to full practice participation clears the way for him to make his sixth start of the season Sunday versus the Colts. Through his first five NFL appearances, Levis has completed 91 of 152 pass attempts (59.9 percent) for 1,042 yards (6.9 YPA) and a 6:2 TD:INT.