NFL Player News

Bridgewater remains in the concussion protocol as of Monday, Ben Swanson of the Broncos' official site reports. "We really don't have an update as far as whether he'd be available or not this week," coach Vic Fangio said.

Bridgewater picked up the concussion during a Week 15 loss to the Bengals when his face mask took the brunt of a fall into the ground while getting tackled. He was ruled out well ahead of this past Sunday's defeat at Las Vegas, and now it appears he may be in danger of missing another contest. As Fangio noted, Bridgewater's return is subject to an examination by an independent neurologist, but first he'll need to mix into drills before the end of the week. If Bridgewater ends up sitting Sunday at the Chargers, Drew Lock would get another spot start.

Mullens reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Mullens drew a spot start at QB in Week 15. However, Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum both returned in Week 16, so the 26-year-old Mullens was a healthy scratch against the Packers. He will now head back to the Browns' practice squad

Ehlinger may earn his first NFL start Sunday versus the Raiders after Carson Wentz (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In all likelihood, Wentz, who notably is unvaccinated, will be sidelined this weekend. A 2021 sixth-round pick, Ehlinger hasn't attempted a pass in three regular-season appearances while taking three carries for nine yards. In three preseason games back in August, he completed 21 of 31 passes for 288 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed 11 times for 55 yards. Behind Ehlinger, Brett Hundley and James Morgan are the quarterbacks on the Colts' practice squad.

Jackson (ankle) has a chance to practice Wednesday, Clifton Brown of the Ravens' official site reports. "I'm looking forward to that," coach John Harbaugh said Monday.

Harbaugh expressed hope that all of Jackson, Tyler Huntley (illness) and Josh Johnson would be on the field to begin Week 17 prep. Jackson hasn't practiced at all since suffering a sprained right ankle Dec. 12 at Cleveland, while Huntley landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. That combination gave the journeyman Johnson a spot start this past Sunday in Cincinnati, and he took advantage of the opportunity by completing 28 of 40 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and rushing five times for 10 yards. How practice breaks down between the three will help determine who is likely to be under center versus the Rams, but a healthy Jackson would get the nod in any scenario.

Book completed 12 of 20 passes for 135 yards with two interceptions while rushing three times for six yards during Monday's 20-3 loss to Miami.

Getting the start at quarterback in his NFL debut, Book struggled mightily behind a banged-up offensive line. Not only did the rookie throw a pick-six on his second pass attempt, but he ultimately took eight sacks and went 0-for-12 on third-down conversions. He also was hardly a threat as a runner despite showing above-average mobility in his previous four years at Notre Dame. If Taysom Hill or Trevor Siemian can clear COVID protocols in the coming days, Book should go right back to riding the bench.

Tagovailoa completed 19 of 26 passes for 198 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Monday night's 20-3 win over the Saints.

Tagovailoa again relied heavily on wideout Jaylen Waddle's ability to create separation on underneath routes to move the ball. When he did take a shot downfield in the second half, Tagovailoa was intercepted on an overthrow. In fairness, though, the signal-caller responded with an impressive 40-yard pass to extend his subsequent drive, followed by a long completion to Waddle on a flea flicker the next play. Appropriately, Tagovailoa then capped that series with a one-yard touchdown to Waddle, giving the Dolphins a comfortable lead on the way to their seventh straight win. Although vertically challenged for the most part in the passing attack, Tagovailoa's efficiency on short passes, particularly to Waddle, has been a successful formula that he'll strive to utilize again in Week 17 versus the Titans.

Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia clarified that Carr is dealing with sore ribs in the aftermath of Sunday's 17-13 win over the Broncos, but the injury isn't expected to affect the quarterback's availability for a Week 17 matchup with the Colts, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Bisaccia noted that Carr feels the injury the most when he coughs, but the 30-year-old sounds like he'll otherwise be uninhibited while practicing and playing. The Raiders still could look to ease Carr along slowly this week with a limited workout Wednesday and/or Thursday, but the historically durable signal-caller appears at little to no risk of sitting out Week 17, especially with Las Vegas in the thick of playoff contention.

Lance may be in line for practice reps with the 49ers' first-team offense after Jimmy Garoppolo was diagnosed with a UCL tear and fracture in his right thumb in the wake of Thursday's loss in Tennessee, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Lance opened the season as a regular part of the offensive game plan and even earned a spot start for an injured Garoppolo in Week 5. But Lance has made just one appearance in 10 games in the meantime and currently has a rookie stat line of 52 percent passing for 354 yards, three touchdowns and one interception to go with 30 carries for 137 yards and another score. The 49ers are slated to evaluate Garoppolo's thumb again Wednesday, which could set the stage for Lance to handle high-profile reps in practice and potentially even earn his second NFL start Sunday against the Texans.

Garoppolo sustained a UCL tear and fracture in his right thumb during Thursday's 20-17 loss at Tennessee, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Garoppolo's injury is gaining more clarity by the hour after head coach Kyle Shanahan told Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site Monday that the quarterback sprained his thumb when he took a sack this past weekend. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the fracture actually is a chipped bone, placing his status in question for Sunday's game against the Texans. San Francisco's medical staff is slated to evaluate Garoppolo's thumb again Wednesday, but based off Shanahan's comments, Garoppolo's ability to throw appears to be compromised, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. If Garoppolo is unable to play this weekend, rookie first-rounder Trey Lance would be in line for his second start and sixth appearance overall.

Book will start Monday against the Dolphins after the Saints didn't activate Taysom Hill (illness) or Trevor Siemian (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of the contest, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Both Hill and Siemian were placed on the COVID-19 list Thursday following positive tests for the virus, setting Book up for his first regular-season action in the NFL. A fourth-round rookie, Book has made just one appearance as a pro, back in the preseason when he completed nine of 16 attempts for 126 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He did show some mobility at the collegiate level at Notre Dame, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and scoring 17 TDs on the ground in 45 appearances. Meanwhile, Blake Bortles has been elevated from the practice squad to serve as the Saints' Week 16 backup QB.