NFL Player News

Browning was elevated to the active roster Saturday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

It's a little curious the Bengals will have three quarterbacks active for Sunday's tilt against the Chiefs, but with no negative news regarding the status of starter Joe Burrow, don't expect Browning or No. 2 QB Brandon Allen to see much time on the field.

Allen was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Allen needed only four days to clear the COVID-19 protocol, but the Bengals still opted to elevate Jake Browning to the active roster, which would indicate Allen still isn't quite up to speed. Neither quarterback is expected to see any time with Joe Burrow healthy and coming off a career day in the win over the Ravens last week.

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Mayfield's performance has been hindered by a harness the quarterback has worn for his injured left shoulder, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Van Pelt said the harness "handcuffed him a little bit," an issue that became more evident following Mayfield's four-interception game last week against Green Bay. Head coach Kevin Stefanski believes the quarterback has adjusted to the harness and refuses to see it as an excuse for Mayfield's performance. Entering Monday night's meeting in Pittsburgh, Mayfield has an 86.1 quarterback rating, the second-lowest in four seasons and off from last year's 95.9 rating, while completing 62.4 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Watson (not injury-related) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

With Watson headed for the inactive list Week 17, Davis Mills is on track to handle Houston's starting quarterback duties. Tyrod Taylor will serve as Mills' backup.

Sudfeld was elevated to the 49ers' active roster from the practice squad Friday.

Sudfeld will be the No. 2 quarterback Sunday against the Texans, with Jimmy Garoppolo doubtful due to a thumb injury. Sudfeld has appeared in four NFL games in his career, all with the Eagles and spread out between 2017 and 2020. The 28-year-old has completed 25 of 37 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and an interception in his career.

With Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) ruled out, Lock is slated to start Sunday's game against the Chargers.

In that context, Lock is an option for those in two-QB formats or who are scrambling for a Week 17 signal-caller for any reason. However, with wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Courtland Sutton (illness) questionable for the contest, Lock figures to be working with a depleted pass-catching corps Sunday.

Lance appears likely to receive his second career start Sunday against the Texans with top quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) listed as doubtful for the game, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Tending to a torn ligament to the thumb of his throwing hand, Garoppolo hasn't practiced or thrown this week, allowing Lance to pick up all the reps with the first-team offense. Head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't closing the door on Garoppolo playing Sunday, but in order for the veteran to be available, he'll need to show that his accuracy and velocity aren't compromised when he takes part in a throwing session Saturday. Even if Garoppolo looks good in the workout, the 49ers could still be inclined to limit him to a backup role behind Lance, who hasn't attempted a pass since he started and played every snap in a 17-10 loss to Arizona in Week 5. Lance generally struggled to move the offense through the air (15-of-29 passing for 192 yards, no touchdowns and an interception), but he proved to be a useful contributor from a fantasy perspective thanks to a 16-carry, 89-yard rushing performance. Shanahan noted that Lance has made strides in practice in the weeks since his spot start, offering hope that the rookie signal-caller can show more improvement as a passer if he does in fact receive the nod again Sunday.

Bridgewater (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Bridgewater was unable to practice this past week, and now that he's been officially ruled out for a second straight game, Drew Lock is slated to draw another start Sunday.

The 49ers list Garoppolo (thumb) as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Prior reports indicating that Garoppolo suffered a fracture and Grade 3 UCL tear of his right thumb in last week's loss to Tennessee along with head coach Kyle Shanahan's pessimistic comments about the quarterback's health in recent days all seemed to point to the 30-year-old sitting out Sunday, so the doubtful designation comes as little surprise. Per David Lombardi of The Athletic, Shanahan relayed Friday that the 49ers deliberately held Garoppolo back from throwing and practicing this week to afford him more healing time. Garoppolo is scheduled to throw Saturday, which should provide the team with a better sense of whether or not he'll be available for Sunday's game. Even if Garoppolo checks out fine in the throwing session and the 49ers forgo adding another quarterback to the roster, he may only be active as an emergency backup option behind rookie Trey Lance, who took all the first-team reps in practice this week and looks primed to receive his second career start.

The Raiders activated Mariota from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Mariota spent five days on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he'll be able to rejoin the team ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts. He'll serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Derek Carr in Week 17.