NFL Player News

Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed that Hall will be the Vikings' starting quarterback Sunday in Atlanta, Ellis Williams of the team's official site reports.

Hall is getting the first chance to sub in for Kirk Cousins, who was lost for the season Week 8 when he tore his Achilles in Green Bay. Upon his entrance in the fourth quarter, Hall completed three of four passes for 23 yards, had two carries for minus-1 yard and lost a fumble. Despite not having the services of Justin Jefferson (hamstring) for at least one more game, Hall will have wide receiver Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Alexander Mattison at his disposal. In the long term, Hall also will have to contend with Joshua Dobbs, who was acquired from the Cardinals on Tuesday and whom O'Connell relayed Friday will be active as Hall's backup Sunday, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Jones (neck) has no injury designation and will start Sunday against the Raiders, Art Stapleton of The Record Sports reports.

Jones was medically cleared last Sunday but had already been ruled out against the Jets. After getting a full week of practice under his belt, Big Blue's starting quarterback will return for his first action since Week 5 against the Dolphins. With Tyrod Taylor (ribs) ruled out, Jones will be backed up by Tommy DeVito.

Fields (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

On a positive note, Fields was able to practice in a limited capacity Friday. Still, considering his designation for Week 9 action, he's poised to miss a third consecutive contest due to a dislocated right thumb. Once Fields' lack of availability is confirmed approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Tyson Bagent will serve as the Bears' starting quarterback yet again.

Dobbs will be Minnesota's backup quarterback behind Jaren Hall against the Falcons on Sunday, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.

Dobbs will make his Vikings debut after starting eight games for the Cardinals, but he isn't ready to run the offense yet after having been acquired in a trade Tuesday. Hall will make his first NFL start after entering Minnesota's previous game in relief following Kirk Cousins' season-ending Achilles tear. Dobbs could be an option to start as soon as Week 10 against the Saints, though Hall and Nick Mullens (back) are also candidates to ascend to the top of the depth chart in Cousins' absence.

Coach Sean McVay relayed that Stafford (thumb) won't practice Friday, but the quarterback will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Stafford was knocked out of the Rams' Week 8 loss at Dallas late in the second quarter and was unable to return after injuring his right thumb. He eventually was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in the appendage, which didn't allow him to practice Wednesday through Friday. McVay has considered Stafford day-to-day all along, and the coach even added Friday that he's willing to "take it all the way up until game time" before making a decision on the quarterback's availability for Sunday, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. With a 1:00 p.m. kickoff on tap, Stafford's status will have clarity before the early slate of games, and if he ends up inactive, the Rams will roll with Brett Rypien under center.

Walker will return to a backup role Sunday against the Cardinals, as head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will start Week 9.

Watson will make just his second start since Week 3. The last time Watson played Week 7 against the Colts, he aggravated the injury and didn't return for the final three quarters, resulting in Walker playing most of that game. Barring another injury to Watson, Walker is likely to see limited snaps the rest of the season.

Allen (right shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday night's game against the Bengals after practicing fully both Thursday and Friday.

Allen was listed as a non-participant Wednesday but returned to a full practice Thursday, and with another uncapped session under his belt to end the week, the QB's Week 9 availability has been confirmed to the relief of fantasy managers, given the Bills' 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. In the team's Week 8 win over the Buccaneers, Allen completed 31 of 40 passes for 324 yards with two TDs and one interception while adding seven carries for 41 yards and a rushing score. Through eight games overall, Allen has thrown for 2,165 yards (fifth in the league) and compiled a 17:8 TD:INT.

Coach Mike Vrabel wouldn't commit to Levis being the starter moving forward but said Friday that the team would evaluate the depth chart and name a starting quarterback Tuesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Levis has started the last two games in place of Ryan Tannehill (ankle), posting a 1-1 record. After throwing four touchdowns in the Week 8 win over Atlanta, Levis failed to throw a touchdown in Thursday's loss to Pittsburgh. Tannehill's health, the short-term playoff chances of the 3-5 Titans, and the long-term implications of Levis' development are all factors that will go into the equation of naming the team's starter for Week 10 against the Buccaneers.

Watson (shoulder) will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Watson -- who doesn't carry a Week 9 injury designation -- won't have any limitations as he returns from his shoulder injury, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. With Watson set to return from a one-game absence, PJ Walker will revert to a backup role Sunday. While Cleveland's starting signal-caller has been determined, the Cardinals have yet to announce whether Kyler Murray (knee) or Clayton Tune will get the assignment this weekend.

Pickett completed 19 of 30 passes for 160 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions and added one carry for minus-1 yard in the Steelers' 20-16 win over the Titans on Thursday night.

Pickett remained free of both turnovers and sacks, but he put together his second sub-200-yard performance in a non-injury-shortened game this season. However, the second-year signal-caller did come up big when it mattered most, leading an 11-play, 92-yard fourth-quarter drive that he capped off with a three-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson that proved to be the game-winning score. Pickett had also completed a 32-yard strike to Johnson down the right side earlier in the drive, and he didn't appear inhibited by the rib injury that had forced his early exit from the Week 8 loss to the Jaguars at any point in the night. Pickett next takes aim at the Packers in a Week 10 home matchup Nov. 12.