NFL Player News

Mullens (back) was designated for return from IR on Wednesday, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Mullens will now have a 21-day window to practice with the team before needing to be added to the 53-man roster, although he could be added to it at anytime, including before Sunday's game against the Broncos. Once activated, he will likely serve as the backup to Joshua Dobbs.

The Browns could turn to Thompson-Robinson to serve as their starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers, with Deshaun Watson slated to miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski will address the media later Wednesday and could clarify whether Thompson-Robinson or PJ Walker -- who served as Watson's top backup in the Browns' Week 10 win over the Ravens -- will take over as the team's starting quarterback. Thompson-Robinson previously started the Browns' Week 4 game against the Ravens when Watson was sidelined, but he completed just 19 of 36 pass attempts for 121 yards and three interceptions in a 28-3 blowout loss. The rookie fifth-round pick had since fallen behind Walker on the depth chart.

The Browns could turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson rather than Walker to serve as their starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers after the team announced Wednesday that Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending shoulder injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski could shed more light on the Browns' plans at quarterback when he meets with the media later Wednesday, but it appears as though Walker -- who had been operating as Watson's backup for the past two games and made two starts earlier this season -- may give way to Thompson-Robinson this weekend. Meanwhile, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com relays that Cleveland is expected to look into signing another quarterback in the coming days to provide the team with a third option at the position. In his two starts plus three relief appearances behind Watson this season, Walker has thrown for one touchdown against five interceptions while completing just 48 of 98 pass attempts for 618 yards.

The Browns announced Wednesday that Watson (ankle) will undergo season-ending surgery to address a displaced fracture in his right shoulder.

Watson previously missed three games and three quarters of another due to what had been described as a right rotator cuff strain, but he returned to action to start both of the Browns' past two contests. During Sunday's 33-31 win over the Ravens, Watson exited late in the second quarter after he appeared to injure his left ankle, but he missed just one snap and proceeded to complete all 14 of his pass attempts in the second half to help lead Cleveland to a come-from-behind victory. The Browns sent Watson in for what was described as a precautionary MRI on Monday, and unfortunately for the quarterback, he was diagnosed not only with a high-ankle sprain, but also a fracture in his throwing shoulder, which apparently stemmed from a hit he took in the first half against the Ravens. He'll head in for surgery on the shoulder in the coming days and will be placed on injured reserve, but the Browns fully expect Watson to be ready to go for the 2024 season. PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson will step in as the Browns' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game against the Steelers. Since being acquired from the Texans in March 2022 and immediately signing a five-year, $230 million contract, Watson has appeared in just 12 games for Cleveland and has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 6.5 yards per attempt, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 317 yards and two scores on 62 carries.

Fields is expected to return to action and start Sunday's game against the Lions, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Provided fares well in practice Wednesday, Fields looks poised to put an end to the four-game absence caused by dislocating his right thumb in a Week 6 loss to Minnesota. According to Rapoport, Fields was close to a return in last Thursday's win over the Panthers, but the Bears weren't yet convinced that he had regained full grip strength. Barring any setbacks at practice this week, however, Fields appears set to reclaim the starting job from undrafted rookie Tyler Bagent. Prior to injuring his thumb, Fields turned in two straight games with four passing touchdowns in matchups with Washington and Denver.

Walker is in line to take over as the Browns' starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers after Cleveland announced Wednesday that Deshaun Watson will require season-ending surgery to address a non-displaced fractured right shoulder, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, Watson is headed to injured reserve after an MRI revealed that he sustained a left high-ankle sprain as well as the shoulder fracture in Sunday's win over the Ravens. As a result, Walker is on track to move into a starting role going forward, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson slated to serve as his backup. With that in mind, Walker represents a fantasy option for those who roster Watson or are otherwise in need of signal-caller depth heading into Week 11. Walker has struggled to impress while making two starts and playing three quarters of another game while Watson missed time with a rotator cuff strain earlier this season, completing 48 of 97 pass attempts (49.5) percent for 618 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.

The Browns announced Wednesday that Watson (ankle) will undergo season-ending surgery to address a displaced fracture in his right shoulder.

Watson previously missed three games and three quarters of another due to what had been described as a right rotator cuff strain, but he returned to action to start both of the Browns' past two contests. During Sunday's 33-31 win over the Ravens, Watson exited late in the second quarter after he appeared to injure his left ankle, but he missed just one snap and proceeded to complete all 14 of his pass attempts in the second half to help lead Cleveland to a come-from-behind victory. The Browns sent Watson in for what was described as a precautionary MRI on Monday, and unfortunately for the quarterback, he was diagnosed not only with a high-ankle sprain, but also a fracture in his throwing shoulder, which apparently stemmed from a hit he took in the first half against the Ravens. He'll head in for surgery on the shoulder in the coming days and will be placed on injured reserve, but the Browns fully expect Watson to be ready to go for the 2024 season. P.J. Walker is expected to step in as the Browns' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game against the Steelers. Since being acquired from the Texans in March 2022 and immediately signing a five-year, $230 million contract, Watson has appeared in just 12 games for Cleveland and has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 6.5 yards per attempt, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 317 yards and two scores on 62 carries.

Watson (ankle) is still awaiting results from an MRI, but he said Tuesday that he expects to play in Week 11 against the Steelers, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

Watson said as long as his ankle isn't broken, torn or hanging by a ligament, he'll be suiting up for the divisional matchup. Per Cabot, the quarterback's injury isn't expected to be anything close to that severe. Watson suffered the injury late in the second quarter of last Sunday's comeback win over the Ravens and missed the final offensive snap before halftime, but he returned for the second half.

Rodgers (Achilles) said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show that he expects to return later in the season, but he's not targeting a specific date, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, NBC's Melissa Stark reported Sunday night that Rodgers had mentioned a possible mid-December return, but it appears the quarterback is taking things one step at a time. The four-time MVP suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 against the Bills and was initially expected to miss his entire inaugural season with the Jets, but the team has stayed optimistic Rodgers might get back onto the field this season if it could stay in the playoff hunt. The Jets dropped to 4-5 after losing to the Raiders on Sunday night, but they face a reeling Bills team on the road in Week 11.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was non-committal Tuesday when asked if Jones (undisclosed) was still the team's No. 1 quarterback, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. "We have a lot of things to work on this week as a team. We'll work through those. That is what we are going to do this week," Belichick said.

With New England heading into its bye riding a three-game losing streak, Belichick and his coaching staff appear set to re-evaluate the depth chart at multiple spots, including quarterback. Though Jones has started all 10 of the team's games to date, he's failed to finish three of those contests. His first two benchings came in blowout losses to the Cowboys and Saints, but Jones' early removal this past Sunday came while the Patriots had a chance to win the game, and his last pass attempt resulted in a costly red-zone interception with 4:24 left in the fourth quarter. Bailey Zappe stepped in under center and threw a similarly ugly interception on the subsequent possession that sealed the game for the Colts. Coming out of their bye, the 2-8 Patriots could be motivated to see if Zappe or even third-stringer Will Grier can provide a spark to a dormant offense. Jones is tied for second in the NFL with 10 interceptions, and his 6.3 yards per attempt is the third-worst mark in the NFL among quarterbacks who have thrown at least 300 passes.