NFL Player News

Hooker (knee) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

For the first time in his young NFL career, Hooker finally appears to be near full strength ahead of Week 13. Jared Goff seems to have the starting role under firm control despite cooling off after last season, and Teddy Bridgewater profiles as a capable backup, so it would still be surprising to see Hooker check in at any point this year except possibly to put a bow on a blowout.

Luton was cut from the Panthers' practice squad Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Luton has bounced back and forth between Carolina and New Orleans' practice squads this season and rejoined the Panthers on Oct. 25. His exit comes as the team added Deonte Brown back to its practice squad to beef up the offensive line depth.

The Patriots are preparing for Zappe to start Sunday against the Chargers, sources tell Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

Though head coach Bill Belichick has been unwilling to confirm a starting quarterback for the second week in a row, signs are pointing to Zappe getting his first nod of the season. Zappe took the bulk of the first-team reps at practice Wednesday, three days after he replaced Mac Jones for the second half of a 10-7 loss to the Giants. The second-year signal-caller out of Western Kentucky didn't provide much of a spark to the New England offense in Week 12 and now owns an ugly 48.7 percent completion rate for 4.1 yards per attempt on 39 passes this season, but the Patriots nonetheless appear set to give Zappe a chance to lead the offense with Jones having failed to finish four of his 11 starts while throwing 12 interceptions and averaging a career-low 6.1 yards per attempt. Assuming he does in fact end up starting the Week 13 game, Zappe wouldn't represent anything more than a low-end lineup option in leagues that start two quarterbacks or have a QB flex spot.

Keenum (calf) did not appear on Houston's injury report Wednesday.

Keenum was unavailable for the Texans' 24-21 loss to the Jaguars in Week 12 due to a calf injury, but he now appears to be ready to go for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos. The quarterback will likely step back into his role as the team's third option behind starter C.J. Stroud and primary backup Davis Mills.

Levis was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Per John Glennon of NashvillePost.com, Levis appeared to be hampered to some degree by his ankle during Wednesday's session, but given that the quarterback was able to work through the issue -- albeit in a limited fashion -- he'll most likely be available Sunday against the Colts. That said, Levis will need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Trask played two of the Buccaneers' 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Buccaneers, throwing an incompletion on his lone pass attempt.

Trask has been active for every game this season as the Buccaneers' No. 2 quarterback, but Sunday marked just the second time he's seen the field. He was pressed into action in a key spot in the first quarter, when starter Baker Mayfield injured his ankle on a goal-line carry. Trask stepped in on second-and-goal, but after a false-start penalty and then a three-yard Rachaad White run, Trask was unable to connect with Chris Godwin on a potential touchdown on third down. The Buccaneers proceeded to kick a field goal, and Trask remained on the sideline the rest of the game after Mayfield was cleared to return for the team's next possession. Mayfield was a full practice participant Wednesday and is on track to start Sunday against the Panthers, so Trask will be sticking in a backup role once again this weekend.

Pickett (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told Mark Kaboly of The Athletic on Tuesday that Pickett's practice participation might be limited this week as Pittsburgh prepares for a home game against the Cardinals this weekend. Pickett ended up being a full participant for the Steelers' first Week 13 session, and while it's possible his mobility is affected by the ankle issue, there's no concern about the signal-caller missing an upcoming matchup with one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Rodgers (Achilles) was a limited participant Wednesday in his return to practice and remains hopeful to make his return to game action Week 16 against the Commanders on Dec. 24, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets designated Rodgers for return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday, opening a 21-day window that he can be added back to the roster before defaulting back to the IR for the rest of the season. Both outcomes remain possible at this point, with Rodgers having noted multiple times that his return would depend on both his health and the Jets having a shot to make the playoffs. He's been cleared for "functional football activity" but not contact, and his return to practice Wednesday didn't include participation in 11-on-11 drills. The Week 16 contest Rodgers is targeting will be played three and a half months after his injury, which would make him the first NFL player to suit up for a game less than five months after suffering an Achilles' tendon tear.

Jones wasn't seen attempting passes during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, while Bailey Zappe logged multiple reps at quarterback and was followed in drills by practice-squad member Malik Cunningham, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Bill Belichick has declined to name a starting quarterback for this weekend's game against the Chargers, but based on what transpired during the initial stages of Wednesday's practice, Zappe -- who replaced Jones after halftime during the Patriots' 10-7 loss to the Giants on Sunday -- may be the frontrunner for the assignment. Jones has started all 11 games for the 2-9 Patriots this season, but he's been pulled early in four of those contests.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Walker has been surpassed by Joe Flacco on Cleveland's quarterback depth chart, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Walker struggled in relief in Week 12 against the Broncos after starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson left the 29-12 loss early due to a concussion. Thompson-Robinson remains in concussion protocol, and even if he isn't cleared in time to play Sunday against the Rams, Flacco would get the start, with Walker backing up the 38-year-old. Flacco will presumably be elevated from the practice squad prior to Sunday, regardless of Thompson-Robinson's status.