NFL Player News

The Cardinals plan to take multiple weeks to evaluate Murray (knee) in practice, with the team's Nov. 12 matchup with the Falcons in Week 10 considered the likeliest game for the quarterback to make his 2023 debut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Arizona opened Murray's 21-day practice evaluation window this past Wednesday, marking the first step toward the signal-caller's return to game action following his Jan. 3 surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Though Murray reportedly fared well during his trio of limited practices this week, he wasn't activated from the PUP list ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, and he looks like he could miss another two contests beyond that while Arizona aims to ensure that he's physically and mentally ready to play. The Cardinals already seem to be discounting the possibility of Murray returning to action Week 8 against the Ravens, as Rapoport relays that the 26-year-old won't be available until at least the team's Week 9 game in Cleveland on Nov. 5 if "all goes perfectly well on the field and off it." Joshua Dobbs will continue to direct the offense for whatever length of time Murray misses, but despite the 1-5 Cardinals' status as a non-contender, the team isn't entertaining the idea of keeping Murray on the PUP list for the rest of the season if he receives clearance from doctors. As Adam Schefter of ESPN notes, Murray's $29.9 million salary for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed if the quarterback can't pass a physical by March 2024, which had led to some speculation that Arizona would hold him out this season to avoid the risk of an injury that would make moving on from him more difficult if the team selects a new franchise quarterback in the draft next April.

Taylor is on track to make a second straight start Sunday against the Commanders, with Daniel Jones (neck) listed as questionable but not expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After sitting out last week's loss to the Bills, Jones made positive strides in his recovery from the neck injury this week. Jones was listed as a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday, but because he has yet to be cleared to take contact as of Saturday, the Giants are likely to play it safe with their franchise signal-caller and hold him out for another week. Head coach Brian Daboll will entrust the 34-year-old Taylor to direct the offense in what will likely be a conservative game plan, though the veteran quarterback was able to do his part to keep the Giants competitive last week in a 14-9 loss to the heavily favored Bills. He completed 24 of his 36 pass attempts for 200 yards and added 24 yards on the ground while committing no turnovers as the Giants controlled time of possession.

Tannehill (ankle) hasn't yet been ruled out for the Titans' next game Oct. 29 against the Falcons, but he's considered unlikely to play coming out of the team's Week 7 bye, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Tannehill sat out the final quarter of the Titans' Week 6 loss to the Ravens in London after suffering a right high-ankle sprain. Though the sprain is to the same ankle that he had tightrope surgery on in December, the latest version of the injury isn't considered as significant and won't require another procedure. However, Tannehill is sporting a cast on his lower leg and is using crutches so as not to put any weight on his injured ankle, so he still looks like he could still require a multi-week recovery. Malik Willis dressed as the Titans' No. 2 quarterback in Week 6 and came on in relief of the injured Tannehill, but head coach Mike Vrabel hasn't revealed whether Willis or rookie second-round pick Will Levis would draw the starting nod Week 8 if Tannehill can't play.

Fields (thumb), who has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, won't require surgery on his throwing hand and may have a chance at playing in the Bears' Week 8 game against the Chargers on Oct. 29, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Fields dislocated the thumb on his throwing hand in the Bears' Week 6 loss to the Vikings, and though the team isn't putting an official timeline on his return, Rapoport relays that the quarterback's thumb injury is considered a 2-to-3-week injury. With that in mind, the Bears aren't yet ready to rule Fields out from playing Week 8, but he'll almost certainly need to practice at least once between next Wednesday and Friday just to take a questionable designation into that contest. Rapoport adds that Fields is already regaining grip strength, but the Bears likely won't be able to gauge if he's fit to play until evaluating him in a practice setting. Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will make the start in Fields' stead Week 7 and will be backed up by Nathan Peterman.

Hoyer is in line to start Sunday's game against the Bears in place of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo (back), sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Head coach Josh McDaniels never officially confirmed a Week 7 starting quarterback after Garoppolo was ruled out for the game following Friday's practice, but Hoyer looks like he'll get his first start of the season after rookie Aidan O'Connell previously drew the assignment when Garoppolo was sidelined for a Week 4 loss to the Chargers due to a concussion. Hoyer was active as the No. 2 quarterback for this past Sunday's game against the Patriots and stepped in capably when Garoppolo exited the contest in the second half. He proved to be a competent game manager as the Raiders finished out the 21-17 win, completing six of 10 pass attempts for 102 yards while committing no turnovers. Adam Schefter of ESPN relays that Garoppolo is expected to return to the lineup for the Raiders' Week 8 game against the Lions, so Hoyer's run atop the depth chart will likely last just one contest.

Garoppolo (back), who is listed as out for Sunday's game at Chicago, is expected to return to the lineup for the Raiders' Week 8 game in Detroit on Oct. 30, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Garoppolo will be missing his second game of the season Sunday, this time on account of a back injury after he sat out the Raiders' Week 4 loss to the Chargers while in concussion protocol. Though Garoppolo didn't practice in any fashion this week while dealing with what has been described as overall back soreness, Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels said the signal-caller "dodged a big bullet" after scans showed no internal injuries, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Brian Hoyer -- who came on in relief of the injured Garoppolo in the Raiders' Week 6 win over the Patriots -- will pick up his first start of the season this Sunday while Garoppolo gets some extra time off to heal.

Watson (shoulder) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts but is on track to start the contest, barring a setback prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport notes that Watson took first-team reps during Saturday's walkthrough, which comes on the heels of the quarterback having returned to a full practice Friday. Though head coach Kevin Stefanski wasn't yet willing to commit to Watson making his return from a two-game absence this weekend, Stefanski relayed that the signal-caller looked good in his return to full activity Friday. Assuming the rotator cuff injury presents no unexpected complications while he throws in pregame warmups, Watson should be back under center Sunday. Through three appearances on the season, Watson has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 678 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 83 yards and a score on 15 carries.

DeVito was elevated to the Giants' active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

DeVito's elevation hints that quarterback Daniel Jones won't be available for the second consecutive week. The 25-year-old DeVito signed with the Giants after going undrafted this past offseason, and he'll likely back up Tyrod Taylor during Sunday's contest.

Rourke was waived by the Jaguars on Saturday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Rourke was elevated from Jacksonville's practice squad to the active roster ahead of Thursday night's game against the Saints, and he served as the team's emergency quarterback. The Ohio product has since been waived and could very well end up on the Jaguars' practice squad if he clears waivers.

Jones (neck), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup versus the Commanders, is considered a long shot to play, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Fowler's report seems to echo one given Friday by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who relayed that Jones was "on the wrong side of questionable." As of Saturday, Jones has yet to be cleared for contact, making it unlikely that he suits up Sunday despite turning in a trio of limited practices this week. As a result, Tyrod Taylor appears likely to make his second consecutive start for Big Blue after throwing for 200 yards on 36 pass attempts in a 14-9 loss to the Bills last week.