NFL Player News

Pickett (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Though the extent of Pickett's activity in the Steelers' first Week 15 session isn't fully known, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com relays that Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky split the first-team work during the portion of practice that was open to the media. Pryor's report suggests that Pickett may have taken part mostly in individual work, but his presence on the field in any capacity at least demonstrates some level of progression through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Since he's now in the protocol for a second time during his rookie season, Pickett may have a tough time gaining clearance ahead of Sunday's game in Carolina. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will likely wait until after Friday's practice session before announcing whether Pickett, Rudolph or Trubisky will draw the Week 15 start.

The Cardinals signed Blough to their practice squad Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Blough's signing comes in the wake of Kyler Murray's season-ending knee injury. Colt McCoy will step up as the starter, while Trace McSorley operates as the primary backup, so Blough will simply provide emergency depth on the practice squad. The undrafted product out of Purdue has appeared in seven career games, all coming with the Lions between 2019 and 2021.

Jackson (knee) remained sidelined at practice Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson hasn't practiced since suffering a PCL sprain in his left knee in the Ravens' Week 13 win over the Broncos, and at this stage, he doesn't appear likely to make it back for Sunday's game in Cleveland. On the plus side for the Ravens, No. 2 quarterback Tyler Huntley (concussion) practiced for the second straight day Wednesday, and thus appears to be trending in the right direction as Sunday's contest approaches. Huntley started in last Sunday's 16-14 win over the Steelers but exited in the second half after entering the concussion protocol.

The Falcons placed Mariota (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Rookie Desmond Ridder will take over as the starting quarterback, backed up by recent signing Logan Woodside. Mariota, meanwhile, will undergo a procedure on his knee and will be ineligible for the final four weeks of the regular season.

Wilson (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Neither will wideout Courtland Sutton, who missed Sunday's loss to the Chiefs with a hamstring injury, per Troy Renck of Denver 7 News. Renck also notes that Wilson is doing some form of physical activity, which suggests he's making progress in the five-step concussion protocol even if he isn't ready to practice. The Broncos will turn to Brett Rypien under center if Wilson isn't ready for Sunday's matchup with Arizona.

Lawrence (toe) wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Lawrence missed practice last Wednesday and Thursday due to the same injury before returning to a limited session Friday. The quarterback was then listed as questionable ahead of last Sunday's game against the Titans, but he suited up and turned in one of the best outings of his career in the 36-22 win, completing 30 of 42 passes for 368 yards with three touchdowns to go along with three carries for seven yards and another score. With no reported setbacks in that contest, Lawrence's absence from practice to begin Week 15 prep is likely maintenance-related.

Head coach Arthur Smith confirmed Monday that Ridder will take over as Atlanta's starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game in New Orleans, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported during the Falcons' Week 14 bye that Ridder was in line to make his NFL debut Week 15, but it wasn't until Smith spoke to the media Monday before the team confirmed as much. Ridder will be displacing Marcus Mariota, who started the team's first 13 games before being placed on injured reserve Wednesday due to a knee injury that will require surgery, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The Falcons signed Logan Woodside off the Titans' practice squad over the weekend to add depth at quarterback, but he's not expected to seriously challenge Ridder for the starting job over the final four weeks of the season, barring an injury to the rookie. Though Ridder didn't play at any point before the bye week, he showcased a dual-threat skill set in the preseason, completing 34 of 56 pass attempts for 431 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while carrying eight times for 58 yards across three appearances.

Minshew took five snaps on offense in Sunday's 48-22 win over the Giants, handing off four times and then kneeling down for a one-yard loss on the Eagles' final possession to run out the clock.

Minshew has now played in two straight games, with both appearances coming in relief of starting quarterback Jalen Hurts when the outcome of the game has been well in hand. Now sitting at 12-1 and holding a two-game edge on the Cowboys and Vikings for the NFC's top seed, the Eagles could secure a first-round bye plus home-field advantage before Week 18. If that's the case, Minshew could get the opportunity to start the regular-season finale against the Giants if the Eagles are eager to avoid exposing Hurts to a potential injury ahead of the playoffs.

Fields won't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Though Fields isn't practicing Wednesday, head coach Matt Eberflus told Biggs that the quarterback is "day-to-day" and isn't dealing with a significant ailment. Assuming Fields' condition doesn't worsen and he's able to make it back to practice Thursday and/or Friday, he should be able to start Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said that Mariota will be placed on injured reserve later Wednesday and is set to undergo a knee procedure next week, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Mariota was already set to move to the bench coming out of the Falcons' Week 13 bye, as the team was eager to give rookie third-round pick Desmond Ridder an opportunity to start. With knee surgery now on tap, Mariota won't be available even in a backup capacity, paving the way for recent signing Logan Woodside to back up Ridder for the Falcons' final four games. Per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Falcons won't have a timeline for Mariota's recovery from surgery until the procedure is completed. He'll be entering the second season of a two-year, $18.75 million contract in 2023 after he completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 7.4 yards per attempt and a 15:9 TD:INT while adding 438 yards and four touchdowns on the ground through 13 appearances during his first campaign in Atlanta.