NFL Player News

Dobbs is slated to start at QB for the Titans in Thursday night's game against the Cowboys, John Glennon of SI.com reports.

Thursday's contest doesn't have playoff implications for the Titans -- they will face the Jaguars in Week 18 with the AFC South title on the line - so the team is in line to give Dobbs an opportunity to make his first career NFL regular-season start in a game in which multiple key players are being held out. With that in mind, Dobbs is an option for those who had been planning to use Malik Willis (Tennessee's Week 16 starter in place of Ryan Tannehill, who was placed on IR on Thursday) in fantasy lineups, or who are otherwise scrambling for a Week 17 signal-caller in QB-heavy formats. With a solid showing versus Dallas, Dobbs could potentially find himself in the starting mix a week from Sunday against Jacksonville.

Rodgers (thumb/knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

After sitting out Wednesday's session due to a knee injury that he picked up during a Week 16 win at Miami, Rodgers participated in individual drills Thursday but still operated with a cap on his reps. Even if the same comes to the pass Friday, there doesn't seem to be any worry about his availability for Sunday's NFC North showdown with the Vikings. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not Rodgers heads into the weekend with a designation.

The Titans have placed Tannehill (ankle) on IR, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Tannehill thus is officially ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and won't be available to the Titans unless the team makes a deep playoff run. In his absence, Malik Willis and Joshua Dobbs -- who is expected to start Thursday night's game against the Cowboys -- will handle the team's QB duties in the coming weeks.

Lawrence (toe) was a limited participant in practice Thursday.

Lawrence took a step up in activity after he sat out Wednesday's session entirely, but he may need to upgrade to full participation Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into Sunday's game in Houston. Even if Lawrence is listed as questionable for the Week 17 contest, he shouldn't be at much risk of sitting out, as head coach Doug Pederson told Adam Stites of USA Today that he's not considering resting or holding out key players with minor injuries against the Texans. The Jaguars don't have much at stake for Sunday's contest with regard to playoff positioning, as the team's matchup with the Titans in Week 18 will determine the AFC South champion and represents Jacksonville's best chance for a postseason spot rather than a long-shot bid for a wild-card berth.

Hurts (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Hurts was on the field for warmups and proceeded to get reps ahead of both Gardner Minshew and Ian Book, per Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer. It's the first sign that a return to action may be imminent for Hurts, who sat out a Week 16 loss at Dallas due to a sprained right throwing shoulder. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not he'll avoid a designation heading into the weekend, but he more than likely will be listed as questionable if he has a chance to play Sunday versus the Saints.

Jackson (knee) remained a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Though Jackson was expected to resume football-related activities this week after missing the Ravens' previous three games with a PCL sprain in his left knee, it hasn't translated to any recorded or estimated practice reps. The Ravens will wait and see what, if anything, Jackson can do during Friday's practice session, but the 2019 NFL MVP looks to be trending toward a fourth straight absence this Sunday against the Steelers. Tyler Huntley took reps with the first-team offense once again Thursday and is continuing to stay ready for another start.

Hurts (shoulder) took part in warmups ahead of Thursday's practice, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

This marks Hurts' first action since spraining his right throwing shoulder Dec. 18 in Chicago and his first practice since Dec. 16. According to Tolentino, Hurts actually worked ahead of fellow quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Ian Book, a fair sign that he's potentially putting himself in position to play Sunday against the Saints. Thursday's injury report will reveal how much activity Hurts was able to handle.

Rodgers (right thumb/knee) returned to practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

It remains to be seen how the Packers list Rodgers' participation level, but his return to the field after missing Wednesday's session supports the QB's expectation that he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

The Titans are expected to start Josh Dobbs rather than Willis in Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

With Ryan Tannehill (ankle) already ruled out for the contest and likely done for the regular season, the Titans will get their first look at Dobbs, who was signed off the Lions' practice squad last week. Though the Titans are set to hold out a number of key players with an eye toward being as healthy as possible for a Week 18 matchup with the Jaguars that will decide the AFC South champion, Willis' expected absence may have more to do with his poor performance in place of Tannehill this season. Through the first eight appearances (three starts) of his rookie campaign, Willis has completed 31 of 61 attempts (50.8 percent) for 276 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. He's also lost two fumbles, which has negated some of the value he's provided as a runner (123 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries). With that in mind, Dobbs could put himself in consideration to start the regular-season finale if he acquits himself well Thursday.

Dobbs is expected to serve as the Titans' starting quarterback Thursday against the Cowboys, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

With Ryan Tannehill (ankle) ruled out for a second straight game and likely to miss the rest of the season, the Titans will get an evaluation on Dobbs while Malik Willis, takes a seat along with a number of other key players as Tennessee attempts to enter the Week 18 showdown with the Jaguars for the AFC South title in optimal health. According to Joe Rexrode of The Athletic, the 27-year-old Dobbs -- who will be making his first career NFL start -- could put himself in the mix to start Week 18 with a respectable showing against the Cowboys. Willis hasn't looked like an NFL-ready quarterback through his first eight appearances (three starts) of his rookie campaign, completing 31 of 61 attempts (50.8 percent) for 276 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions.