NFL Player News

Rodgers (thumb) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

As has been the norm for three weeks running, Rodgers is kicking off prep for an upcoming game with no activity as he tends to an injured right thumb. He'll likely graduate to full participation Thursday, clearing the way for him to suit up Sunday in Buffalo. While Rodgers has played through the pain the last two games, the results on the field have remained uneven, with 5.8 yards per attempt and just 440 yards passing as the Packers have dropped three straight contests. Assuming he gains clearance to play Week 8, Rodgers will have a tough task on his hands against the 5-1 Bills.

Jones took about 90 percent of the Patriots' first-team quarterback reps at practice Wednesday and is in line to start Sunday against the Jets, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Though head coach Bill Belichick has thus far declined to confirm the team's Week 8 starter, Jones is slated to retain the assignment while Bailey Zappe opens Sunday's contest as the Patriots' No. 2 signal caller. Jones has been working his way back from an ankle injury, so there's still a decent chance his name will appear on Wednesday's injury report.

Zappe won't start Sunday's game against the Jets, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Mac Jones reportedly took 90 percent of the first-team reps in practice Wednesday, two days after he was pulled in favor of Zappe in the second quarter of an eventual 33-14 loss to the Bears. Zappe got off to a quick start but then struggled after halftime, and Jones' ankle seems to be feeling better heading into Week 8. Expect Jones to have a longer leash Sunday and play the full game unless his ankle acts up or if he struggles mightily.

Head coach Dennis Allen said Andy Dalton will start over Winston in Sunday's game against the Raiders, despite the Saints now considering Winston to be healthy, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Winston was active as a backup for the past two games, but it was unclear to what extent, if any, his back and ankle injuries had on Dalton serving as the starter. Whatever the case, Dalton is set for another start Sunday against the Raiders, while Winston will continue in the backup role even though his health is no longer a concern. The question now is how long Dalton can keep the job before the Saints look to make another change.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Dalton will start Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Dalton will pick up his fifth consecutive start this weekend, with Allen notably adding that the Saints now consider Jameis Winston to be healthy, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. The implication is that Dalton has moved ahead of his teammate on the depth chart, rather than merely being an injury replacement while Winston finishes up his recovery from back and ankle injuries. Of course, Dalton could also cede the job to Winston as soon as Week 9 if he doesn't perform well against the Raiders.

Head coach Mike Vrabel said that Tannehill (ankle) will probably be limited at practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Per Wyatt, Tannehill -- who wasn't wearing a walking boot when he spoke to the media Wednesday -- noted that he has a right ankle sprain and is improving as Sunday's game against the Texans approaches. While the veteran signal-caller appears to be trending in the right direction, if Tannehill ends up sitting out this weekend, Malik Willis would be next up for reps.

Wilson (hamstring) said Wednesday that he is "ready to roll" as Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London approaches, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Wilson was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, but the quarterback looks to be trending toward returning to action this weekend, barring any setbacks. Per DiLalla, head coach Nathaniel Hackett also suggested Wednesday that he expects Wilson back under center this weekend, though the veteran signal-caller will likely need to practice fully by the end of the week in order to avoid taking an injury designation into the contest.

Wilson (hamstring) will practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Wilson was also limited in practices Week 7, when he was ultimately inactive for the Broncos' loss to the Jets while Brett Rypien picked up the start under center. According to Troy Renck of Denver 7 News, Wilson displayed more mobility during the open portion of Wednesday's practice than he had at any point last week, so he appears to have made some progress, even if his "limited" listing represents no tangible change. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that Wilson is trending toward a Week 8 return, but the Broncos may still need to monitor how the quarterback's left hamstring looks during practice the next three days before a determination is made on his status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London.

Coach Dennis Allen said Monday that the Saints have yet to make a decision regarding who will start between Winston and Andy Dalton on Sunday against the Raiders, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Winston has been active the last two games, but Dalton still started and logged most of the first-team reps in practice with the former available only in case of emergency. "I do think Jameis is getting healthier," Allen noted. "Both of those guys will have themselves ready to play." Winston hasn't practiced in full since Week 1 as he's been tending to a number of health concerns including four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury. Only the back and ankle injuries were noted on the team's Week 7 practice reports, but returning to full activity at some point this week may be the tell that Winston is ready to resume his starting role.

Coach Bill Belichick declined to confirm either Jones or Bailey Zappe as his starting QB for Week 8 following Monday's 33-14 loss to the Bears, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

In his return from a three-game absence, Jones completed only three of six passes for 13 yards and a pick and ran three times for 24 yards before giving way to Zappe. Reiss indicates the Patriots planned to play both QBs on Monday, with Jones' recovery from a high-ankle sprain factoring into that approach. Meanwhile, Belichick suggested that the 2021 first-rounder would have returned to the contest in the second half had the score been closer. Until there's added clarity here via practice reports, Jones looks like a risky fantasy option ahead of Sunday's kickoff against the 5-2 Jets.