NFL Player News

Winston (back/ankle/hip) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's London matchup against the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

It would have been truly surprising to see Winston ruled active for Sunday's contest against the Vikings, but Saturday's announcement does take any sort of guesswork out of fantasy managers' hands. Andy Dalton will get the start and will be without one of his top targets in Michael Thomas (foot).

Coach Mike McDaniel relayed Friday that he has no timetable for when Tagovailoa, who is in the NFL's concussion protocol, might be able to return to action, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

"I'm not even really thinking about timetables or anything regarding him as a player right now," McDaniel said of Tagovailoa, who was stretchered off the field during Thursday's game against the Bengals. "It's all about Tua the person." For now, the Dolphins are awaiting the results of an MRI that Tagovailoa underwent on his neck, but given what's transpired in the last two games the QB has played in, look for the team to proceed cautiously with him ahead of Miami's Week 5 contest against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 9. If Tagovailoa is sidelined at that time, Teddy Bridgewater would be in line to start in his place.

With Mac Jones (ankle) ruled out, Hoyer will start Sunday's game against the Packers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Though Jones made progress throughout the week, a reported high-ankle sprain will force him to miss at least one game. Hoyer thus represents a Week 4 lineup option for those who roster Jones or are in need of short-term help in two-QB formats. That said, in the absence of their starting signal-caller, Lazar anticipates that the Patriots figure to lean on the running back duo of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson this weekend, a plausible scenario that limits Hoyer's fantasy upside.

Herbert (ribs) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Houston.

Herbert gutted out the fractured rib cartilage he suffered Week 2 last Sunday against the Jaguars, completing 25 of 45 passes for 297 yards, one touchdown and one interception while playing all 58 snaps on offense. After capping Week 4 prep with back-to-back full practices, his status isn't in question for Sunday, but he will be without Keenan Allen (hamstring) for a third consecutive contest and Jalen Guyton (torn ACL). As a result, wide receivers Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett figure to be Herbert's top targets this weekend.

Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Though Jones was spotted on the field Friday, he subsequently was listed as a non-participant at practice and officially ruled out by the team. With Jones unavailable this weekend, Brian Hoyer will draw the start at QB for New England on Sunday. For his part, Jones' next chance to suit up will arrive Week 5 versus the Lions.

Jones (ankle) was present for the start of Friday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Reiss added that during the media-access portion of the session, Jones didn't move around much on his injured left ankle. It remains to be seen how the Patriots list Jones' participation level, but the QB's presence on the field Friday supports the notion there might be some chance he could play through what's been reported as a high-ankle sprain, according to Reiss. Either way, Friday's upcoming injury report will add a layer of context regarding Jones' chances of being available for Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET contest against the Packers.

Prescott still has swelling in his surgically repaired right thumb and won't practice or throw a football Friday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

While set to miss a third straight game this Sunday against Washington, the 29-year-old QB recently said he hopes to make it back for Week 5 against the Rams, though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggested Wednesday that Week 6 against the Eagles is a more realistic target. Either way, Prescott continues to be listed as a non-participant in practice, including this Thursday when he did some light throwing in front of the Dallas media. His practice statuses next week should provide some hint as to whether he has a real chance to play against the Rams.

Dalton is expected to start Sunday's game against the Vikings with Jameis Winston (back/hip/ankle) listed as doubtful, Adam Hoge of AllCHGO.com reports.

The 34-year-old will have to work without Michael Thomas (foot) if he indeed takes the field Sunday, leaving Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry (ankle, questionable) as his likely top wideouts. Taysom Hill (ribs) would, in turn, be in line to act as Dalton's backup. Dalton becomes a fantasy option worth consideration for needy teams in formats that start multiple quarterbacks, if Winston indeed is ruled out for Week 4.

Coach Dennis Allen said Friday that Winston (back/ankle/hip) is doubtful for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Winston has missed three straight practices while dealing with a trio of injuries, and it appears that Andy Dalton is trending toward starting versus the Vikings, while Taysom Hill (ribs) would act as his backup. With Michael Thomas (foot) already ruled out, it will fall to Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry (ankle) to work as the Saints' top wideouts, while Alvin Kamara (ribs) also could see expanded opportunities as a receiver.

Winston (back/ankle/hip) wasn't present at the start of Friday's practice, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Winston and Michael Thomas (foot) both appear to be missing their third straight practice, which doesn't provide optimism for either's chances of suiting up Sunday Versus Minnesota. The Saints' official injury report Friday will provide Winston with an official game designation, but if he can't go, Andy Dalton will be in line to start after a full week of taking first-team reps. Winston is recovering from ankle and hip injuries, in addition to dealing with four fractures in his back.