NFL Player News

Garoppolo (thumb) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Texans, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

Since emerging from a Week 16 loss at Tennessee with a Grade 3 UCL sprain and fracture in his right thumb, Garoppolo hasn't thrown, let alone practiced in any capacity. Having said that, the 49ers are hopeful he'll recover enough to be available for a key Week 18 road matchup with the Rams. While he takes a seat for the second time this season, Garoppolo will hand over the offense to rookie first-round pick Trey Lance, who has racked up 354 yards through the air, 137 more yards on the ground and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in five games, including a spot start Week 5.

Huntley will start Sunday's game against the Rams with Lamar Jackson (ankle) inactive for the contest, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Jackson will sit out a third straight game due to a bone bruise in his right ankle, allowing Huntley to pick up his second start over that stretch and his third overall of the season. Both Jackson and Huntley were sidelined for last week's loss to the Bengals, with Huntley's placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list paving the way for journeyman Josh Johnson to pick up his first start since 2018. After Huntley was reinstated from the list Thursday, he was able to get in a pair of practices to clear up any concerns about his ability for the weekend. The 23-year-old was one of the top fantasy performers in his last start Week 15 against the Packers, completing 28 of 40 attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns while adding 73 yards and two more scores on the ground.

Browning (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Chiefs, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Browning was elevated from the Bengals' practice squad to the active roster Saturday. However, that was likely insurance for Brandon Allen (illness), who was also activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Browning has not been active for a game this season.

Fields (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Giants.

The writing was on the wall for Fields when coach Matt Nagy named Andy Dalton (hand) the Bears' Week 17 starter at quarterback and Nick Foles the No. 2 on Friday. Fields has yet to put in anything more than a limited practice since injuring his ankle in a Week 15 loss to the Vikings, meaning he may need to get back to all activity before Nagy feels comfortable enough for the rookie signal-caller to return to action. While Fields will sit for the fourth time in six games, his next opportunity to play will come next Sunday at Minnesota.

Jackson (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Jackson initially appeared to be trending toward a return from a two-game absence after he opened this week as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Unfortunately, Jackson was limping badly during that session while battling the bone bruise in his right ankle, prompting the Ravens to hold him out of practices Thursday and Friday before listing him as questionable for the Week 17 game. Jackson didn't demonstrate enough progress heading into Sunday to get the green light to play, paving the way for Tyler Huntley to make his second start in three games and third overall of the season.

Ehlinger will serve as the backup to starting quarterback Carson Wentz (illness) for Sunday's game against the Raiders after head coach Frank Reich told Stacey Dales of NFL Network that Wentz received full medical clearance to play.

After Wentz was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Ehlinger took all the reps with the first-team offense in practices Wednesday through Friday and was staying prepared to make his first career start in the event the former wasn't able to clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Wentz was activated from the list Saturday after completing the required five-day quarantine, but in order to play against the Raiders, he still needed to show no signs of fever for a 24-hour period plus improved symptoms when re-evaluated earlier Sunday. Since Wentz was able to get the green light during his checkup, he'll now be on tap for the start after he was able to stay on top of the Colts' Week 17 game plan virtually while he was in quarantine. Ehlinger won't be needed unless Wentz suffers an injury at some point during Sunday's contest.

Fromm will serve as the Giants' No. 2 quarterback in Sunday's game against the Bears and isn't expected to be used as part of a timeshare with starter Mike Glennon, who returns to the lineup after a one-game benching, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Fromm's run as the Giants' starting quarterback will end after just one game, a testament to how truly disastrous he was in his first extended NFL action during last week's 34-10 loss to the Eagles. Before being pulled midway through the third quarter, Fromm completed only six of 17 attempts for 25 yards and an interception while carrying three times for 12 yards. Glennon replaced him and didn't fare much better (17-for-27 for 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception), but the Giants may feel that the 32-year-old veteran gives the team a better chance at competing down the stretch than Fromm. More likely than not, the Giants will look to move on from Fromm and Glennon and bring in another quarterback (or two) in 2022 to provide insurance behind Daniel Jones (neck), who is expected to reclaim the starting role when he returns from injury next season.

Though the Ravens may elect to take a decision with Jackson (ankle) up to game-time, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that Tyler Huntley profiles as the likely starter for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Jackson, who last suited up in Week 14, is officially listed as questionable after missing practice Thursday and Friday. Fortunately for those considering either of the Ravens' top two QBs in Week 17 fantasy lineups, the team kicks off at 1:00 ET on Sunday.

Garoppolo (thumb), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Texans, is not expected to play but the 49ers are optimistic he could return Week 18 against the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Trey Lance looks set to start Sunday against Houston as a result. Prior reports indicated that Garoppolo suffered a fracture and Grade 3 UCL tear of his right thumb in last week's loss to Tennessee, so he'll need to show progress next week in practice to return for the regular season finale.

Hoyer was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Hoyer hit the list Tuesday but has cleared the necessary protocols. He'll be on the sideline for Sunday's tilt against the Jaguars.