NFL Player News

Lock completed 12 of 24 passes for 162 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Broncos' 28-24 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday. He also rushed four times for 35 yards and two scores.

Lock authored a pair of impressive first-half scoring drives of 67 and 80 yards, finishing off the marches with rushing touchdowns of five and 23 yards, respectively. Those would prove to be the highlight of what was an otherwise pedestrian performance, one that saw him complete just 50.0 percent of his throws and fail to manufacture enough impact plays in the second half. Lock was merely average while starting the last three games of the season in place of Teddy Bridgewater (IR-concussion), but with the latter heading into unrestricted free agency, it's possible Lock, who's signed through next season, is very much in the running to reclaim the starting quarterback job in 2022.

Minshew will start Saturday's game against the Cowboys with Jalen Hurts (ankle) inactive, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The Eagles are giving Hurts the week off to ensure he's as healthy as possible for the postseason. Minshew thus will make his fourth appearance and second start with the team, which so far has translated to 22-for-27 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns to go with four carries for 11 yards.

Hurts (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Saturday against the Cowboys.

Hurts tended to a lingering ankle injury during Week 18 prep, but he managed a full practice Thursday and entered the weekend with no designation. Still, the Eagles are opting to give him a respite before the wild-card round of the playoffs. With Hurts in street clothes, Gardner Minshew will direct Philadelphia's offense in the regular-season finale.

Fields remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of Sunday's game against the Vikings, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

As a result, Andy Dalton is in line to start Sunday's season finale against Minnesota, with Nick Foles slated to serve as the Bears' backup QB in the absence of Fields, who landed on the list Thursday. Fields will conclude his rookie campaign with 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 59 percent passing and 72 carries for 420 yards and two more TDs in 12 appearances, 10 of them starts. He showed significant upside as a dual-threat quarterback, and he'll likely be selected as a top-15 option at his position in 2022 drafts. Fields will enter the second year of his rookie deal, as the anticipated undisputed starting quarterback and the face of the franchise.

Though Hurts does not carry a Week 18 injury designation, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network expects backup QB Gardner Minshew to see an increased role Saturday night against the Cowboys.

With multiple key players sidelined due to injury or their placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list and the Eagles not having a lot to gain in terms of playing seeding, Hurts is among the players the team could choose to rest or limit versus Dallas. With that in mind, Hurts is a risky fantasy lineup option Saturday, while Minshew seems likely to see added snaps in Philadelphia's regular-season finale.

The Bengals elevated Browning to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Browning was also elevated ahead of Week 17 but was inactive against Kansas City. However, he should serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Brandon Allen on Sunday since Joe Burrow (knee/rest) will be held out.

Burrow (knee/rest) will not travel to Cleveland and has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

The plan all along has been to rest Burrow, so this hardly is a surprise. Ben Baby of ESPN.com did relay the second-year quarterback was a full participant in Friday's practice, essentially confirming Burrow's designation is simply a procedural one. Expect the star quarterback to face no such limitations when the Bengals square off against their playoff opponent next week.

Coach Kyle Shanahan wouldn't commit to Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) or Lance as the 49ers' starting quarterback for Sunday's road game against the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

It appears as if Shanahan won't tip his hand until closer to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but he added that he "feels good" where Garoppolo stands after sitting out Week 17 due to a Grade 3 UCL sprain in his right thumb and then splitting reps with Lance this week, per Wagoner. Considering the 49ers can be eliminated from the playoff race with a loss and a Saints win in Atlanta, Shanahan may opt for the steadier hand in Garoppolo if he deems him healthy enough to play. Even if Garoppolo does suit up, though, Lance still could be a part of the offense, similar to what he was early on this season. In any case, Lance's value is contingent on Garoppolo's availability, making him a huge hit-or-miss proposition for Week 18.

Garoppolo (thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, after making it through three limited practices without any setbacks this week, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Reports from San Francisco beat writers have been positive across the board, with Garoppolo seemingly trending toward a return after missing the Week 17 win over Houston. The 49ers have a ton on the line this weekend, as a loss combined with a Saints win over the Falcons would leave San Francisco out of the playoffs. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Friday afternoon that Garoppolo had a good week of practice, but the 49ers coach stopped short of saying the veteran QB would play, declining to name his starter for Week 18. Should they ultimately determine Garoppolo isn't healthy enough to start, the 49ers will turn to rookie QB Trey Lance ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Watson (not injury-related) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Titans.

As has been the case all season for Watson. Davis Mills again will direct the Texans offense Week 18, while Tyrod Taylor is around to serve as his backup.