NFL Player News

Siemian appears on track to start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Jets with Justin Fields (shoulder) listed as questionable but not expected to play, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Before making an official call on Fields' status when it releases its Week 12 inactive list 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Chicago will give Fields an opportunity to warm up early Sunday as he attempts to prove his health. However, after Fields was limited in practices all week due to what's been described as an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder, the second-year signal-caller is considered a "long shot" to play, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Bears seemingly telegraphed Fields' expected absence by elevating Nathan Peterman from the practice squad Saturday, with Peterman likely to serve as Siemian's backup. Siemian has made only one appearance off the bench in 2022, but the 30-year-old has previously picked up 29 starts since entering the NFL in 2015. Four of those starts came last season with the Saints, with Siemian completing 83 of 144 attempts (57.6 percent) for 924 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in those outings. For as long as the game plan allows for it Sunday, expect the Bears to adopt a more conservative offensive approach under Siemian, who could struggle to help Chicago continue their streak of four consecutive games with at least 24 points.

Fields (shoulder), who is listed as questionable, will get a chance to warm up before Sunday's game at the Jets, but he doesn't seem likely to be available, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Adam Schefter of ESPN backed up Rapoport's assessment, which will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming Fields doesn't gain clearance to play through the separated shoulder with partially torn ligaments that he sustained in his non-throwing arm near the end of last Sunday's loss in Atlanta, the Bears will turn to Trevor Siemian under center, with the recently elevated Nathan Peterman backing him up. In that scenario, Fields' next chance to suit up will arrive Dec. 4 against the Packers.

The Bears elevated Peterman to their active roster from their practice squad Saturday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The bigger picture here is that Peterman's elevation could mean that Justin Fields (shoulder) may be held out of Chicago's Week 12 road game against the Jets. If that's the case, Peterman would likely serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Trevor Siemian. Peterman has attempted only five NFL passes since 2018, all of which came in a single contest while with the Raiders in 2020.

The Bears elevated third-string quarterback Nathan Peterman on Saturday, which would seem to signal Fields' (shoulder) eventual absence ahead of the Week 12 matchup, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

It's important to note the Bears did not rule out Fields as of now, but NFL teams typically do not carry three active quarterbacks on the gameday roster, so this elevation is especially noteworthy. The dynamic dual-threat quarterback was a limited participant in practice all week, but should he eventually be ruled inactive ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Trevor Siemian would likely get the start.

McSorley did not practice Friday due to an illness and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

McSorley was a full participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before popping up on Friday's injury report. While the severity of this ailment is still unclear, the 27-year-old will have just one more day to overcome this issue before Sunday's contest. McSorley went 6-for-10 passing for 59 yards and an interception after stepping in for Colt McCoy during Monday's loss to San Francisco. However, both signal callers figure to fall back into their normal backup roles Week 12, as starting quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to return after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.

McCoy (elbow) was listed as a full participant on Friday's injury report and should be available to suit up Sunday versus the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

McCoy made his second straight start in place of injured quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) during Monday's game against San Francisco, though he came out of this game with a right elbow injury. The 36-year-old backup was then limited during practice Wednesday and Thursday before logging a full session Friday. As a result, McCoy should slot back in behind Murray, who does not carry an injury designation and is expected to be a full go against the Chargers.

Bridgewater (knee) is considered questionable to play Sunday against the Texans, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Bridgewater was sidelined with a knee injury during the Dolphins' Week 9 win over the Browns, and he remained a limited participant in practice coming off the team's Week 11 bye. With the veteran's status still uncertain Friday, rookie Skylar Thompson could be set to step in as Miami's No. 2 quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa in Week 12.

Jackson (hip) doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's game in Jacksonville after logging full participation in practices Thursday and Friday.

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, the hip injury Jackson has been dealing with this week isn't related to the one that previously limited the quarterback's practice activity in Week 7. Even though he approached the Ravens' game that week without a designation, Jackson threw for a season-low 120 yards in a 23-20 win over the Browns. As for his latest hip issue, Jackson said it wasn't something that bothered him during last week's 13-3 win over the Panthers, and the injury is "getting better" day by day. The Ravens are hopeful that Jackson will be able to perform better than he did the last time he managed a hip injury Week 7, though he'll have to make do in Jacksonville without starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game. Patrick Mekari will be protecting Jackson's blind side in Stanley's stead.

Wolford (neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Kansas City, but head coach Sean McVay suggested Friday that Bryce Perkins may get the start, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Perkins took the first-team practice reps this week, with McVay telling reporters Friday that they would find out Sunday which quarterback is starting in place of Matthew Stafford (neck/concussion protocol), who has been ruled out. Fantasy managers who are monitoring the Rams' quarterback situation will have to hope that solid reporting on a starter leaks out well before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. Perkins was sacked three times and completed only five of 10 passes for 64 yards while filling in for an injured Stafford last week against the Saints, but the 25-year-old added five rush attempts for 39 yards, making him a bit more interesting than Wolford if he were to make his first career NFL start.

Murray (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Full practice participation Wednesday through Friday removed most of the doubt about Murray's status, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed Friday that the Cardinals believe that their franchise quarterback is back to 100 percent health, according to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com. While there's always risk of an in-game setback with hamstring injuries, Murray doesn't sound like he will have any limitations this weekend against a less-than-stellar Chargers defense that's been about average at stopping the pass and something less than that versus the run.