NFL Player News

Winston (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Winston will gut out the back issue that capped his practice reps throughout Week 2 prep. While he's suiting up, his top running back Alvin Kamara won't be, leaving the backfield to the likes of Mark Ingram (ankle) and Dwayne Washington (hamstring). The Saints thus may roll with a more pass-heavy game plan, especially with Tom Brady and company on the other side. In the season opener in Atlanta last Sunday, Winston completed 23 of 34 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns.

Winston (back) remains questionable but is expected to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune also said Friday that Winston would likely be able to play, so it appears the 2015 first-round pick will be suiting up Sunday against his former team despite being limited at practices throughout the week. New Orleans' running back situation likely won't be decided until closer to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but Alvin Kamara, who was a non-participant Thursday and Friday, appears to be in the most in danger of missing Sunday's game. Assuming Winston is available, he'll still have a nice crew to work with, thanks to wideouts Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave.

The Cowboys elevated Grier from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday for Sunday's contest against the Bengals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Cooper Rush is expected to draw the start in place of Dak Prescott (thumb), and Grier will operate as the primary backup. However, Grier may get a chance to showcase his abilities if Rush struggles early on. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said earlier this week that Rush separated from Grier at the end of the preseason due to Grier's hamstring injury, but he would trust either one of them to lead Dallas on Sunday. "We'll be evaluating all options," Jones said. "Those guys know the offense well. They've had a lot of reps in it, and consequently give us our best shot."

The Texans elevated Driskel from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Driskel has been elevated to the active roster for each of the first two games of 2022. During the season opener, he got onto the field for two plays and carried the ball once for five yards. The 2016 sixth-round pick can be elevated three times on game days before needing to be signed to the active roster. Kyle Allen was inactive for Week 1 after Driskel was elevated, but it's unclear if that'll be the case again in Week 2.

Rush, who is expected to start Sunday against the Bengals, signed a contract with the Cowboys on Saturday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Rush was technically on the practice squad and previously was a Week 1 call-up, but the Cowboys quickly rectified the issue by officially signing the backup to the 53-man squad. Rush is expected to start Sunday against the Bengals, with Will Grier projected to act as his backup.

Coach Brandon Staley relayed Friday that Herbert has fractured rib cartilage and is "day-to-day" at this stage, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Staley also told Popper that Herbert, who injured his ribs in Thursday's loss to Kansas City, could be able to practice at some point next week, while noting that the Chargers will reassess Herbert's situation Monday. Ultimately, Herbert's availability for the team's Sept. 25 contest could come down to pain tolerance, but the added healing time afforded by Los Angeles' recent short week could help the QB remain in the lineup Week 3.

Jones (back/illness) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers after practicing fully Friday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Jones -- who had been dealing with a back issue coming out of Week 1 action -- practiced fully Wednesday, before sitting out Thursday's session due to an illness. Following his full participation Friday, the second-year QB -- who completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards, one touchdown and one interception in last Sunday's 20-7 loss to Miami -- now is poised to face a Steelers defense that racked up four picks and seven sacks in a 23-20 overtime win over Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Week 1.

Winston (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, but he should be able to play, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Winston managed limited practices throughout the week, as did backup RB Mark Ingram (ankle). Alvin Kamara (ribs), on the other hand, was a non-participant Thursday and Friday, making him the key offensive piece most in danger of missing Sunday's game. Winston still would have a nice crew to work with, thanks to wide receivers Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave.

Jones (illness) was present for practice Friday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

After participating fully in Wednesday's practice, Jones -- who had been dealing with a back issue -- sat out Thursday's session, but his return to the field Friday has him trending toward being available Sunday against the Steelers. The Patriots' upcoming injury report will reveal whether the QB heads into the weekend listed as questionable or minus a Week 2 designation.

Herbert (ribs) underwent X-rays following Thursday's loss to the Chiefs, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports. Herbert completed 33 of 48 passes for 334 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during the contest.

Herbert led scoring drives on the Chargers' first two offensive possessions and threw a 15-yard touchdown to Mike Williams on the first drive of the second half, giving Los Angeles a 17-7 lead. After Kansas City tied the game at 17-17, the Chargers started to move the ball again, but Herbert threw an interception at the goal line that was returned for a touchdown. Two drives later, Herbert took a hard shot to the left side of his ribs and had to be looked at by trainers, forcing Chase Daniel into the game for one play. While Herbert returned to action following a handoff to Sony Michel, the superstar quarterback was clearly laboring and took another blow from Kansas City's defense while throwing back-to-back incompletions -- ending the drive. Nonetheless, the Chargers got the ball back with just over three minutes left, and Herbert led a touchdown drive that was capped off by a fourth-and-7 pass to Joshua Palmer. Despite the late-game heroics, there's major concern surrounding Herbert's injury, but coach Brandon Staley said the quarterback is "OK" and doesn't expect the injury to be an issue moving forward, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The X-ray results likely will provide further clarity, but the Chargers will be thankful for the extra days off while they prepare for their next matchup, a Sept. 25 contest against the Jaguars.