NFL Player News

Rodgers (toe) took part in Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

It's rare for Rodgers to get practice reps on Fridays since he was diagnosed with a broken toe in mid-November. Now with an appearance on the field on a Thursday, he appears to be the healthiest he's been in some time and will log at least a limited session. The bigger question surrounding Rodgers for a Week 18 visit to Detroit is how much he'll play Sunday, which coach Matt LaFleur indicated Wednesday would be based off "feel," per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Burrow (knee) was present for Thursday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Burrow was rested during Wednesday's session, but his return to the field Thursday supports the notion that the knee issue he's managing isn't a major one. That said, the plan is for Burrow to not start Sunday's regular-season finale against the Browns, with backup QB Brandon Allen in line to draw the Week 18 assignment.

Dalton is expected to make a second straight start in Sunday's season finale at Minnesota after the Bears placed Justin Fields (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Fields is vaccinated and therefore has a chance to test out of the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol in fewer than five days, but given the timing of his placement on the list, he'll more than likely miss a third consecutive game to end his rookie campaign. Along with Fields, Dalton was sidelined Week 16 in Seattle due to a small fracture non-throwing hand, but the latter stepped back into the lineup for the Bears' Week 17 win over the Giants. Over his seven appearances (five starts) this season, Dalton has completed 61.7 percent of his throws for 6.3 yards per attempt and a 7:7 TD:INT while carrying 15 times for 69 yards.

The Bears placed Fields on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

According to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune, Fields is vaccinated, which confirms he tested positive for the virus. While he theoretically has a chance to test out of the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol ahead of Sunday's game in Minnesota, the timing of his placement on the list means that he'll more than likely be out for the regular-season finale. Andy Dalton will presumably prepare to make his second straight start, while Fields likely ends his rookie season with a 58.9 percent completion rate for 1,870 yards and a 7:10 TD:INT over 12 appearances. He also added 420 yards and two scores on the ground.

Mayfield is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder Jan. 19, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 26-year-old has already been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Bengals after being placed on injured reserve earlier Wednesday, and he won't wait too long into the offseason before undergoing surgery. Mayfield should have enough time to make a full recovery in time for training camp after playing through the injury during 2021, though the nature of his procedure makes it unlikely he'll be a full participant for OTAs this spring. Case Keenum is set to start under center for the Browns in Week 18 versus the Bengals, with Nick Mullens serving as the backup quarterback.

McCoy (migraine) wasn't included Wednesday on Arizona's initial Week 18 injury report, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

A late addition to the Cardinals' injury report Week 17, McCoy was ultimately active as Kyler Murray's backup in Arizona's win over Dallas. As per usual, McCoy didn't play any snaps, but his omission from the Week 18 injury report implies that he's healthy heading into the regular-season finale against the Seahawks.

Lock (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

With Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) on injured reserve, Lock is expected to start Saturday's game against Kansas City, provided he can overcome his own health concern. Thursday's injury report will reveal whether or not the quarterback heads into the weekend with an injury designation.

The Browns signed Mullens to their active roster Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Mullens was activated from the practice squad COVID-19 list Tuesday and will be on the active roster for the team's Week 18 matchup against Cincinnati. He'll serve as the backup to Case Keenum on Sunday after Baker Mayfield (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Jackson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Jackson's continued absence from practice isn't a great sign for his Week 18 availability, though head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the quarterback still has a chance to make it back for Sunday's season finale against the Steelers. A return to practice Thursday or Friday would give the Ravens a chance to evaluate Jackson before making that decision, though there may also be some sentiment toward caution with Baltimore's long-shot playoff hopes riding on a Jacksonville upset of Indianapolis, among other things.

Burrow (knee/rest) didn't practice Wednesday.

Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com Burrow plans to practice at some point this week. Though the quarterback's sore right knee isn't considered a major issue, head coach Zac Taylor already acknowledged that Burrow will be rested Sunday against the Browns, while Brandon Allen draws the starting assignment for Cincinnati. Since the Bengals don't have any other quarterbacks on the roster at the moment, Burrow could still be active this weekend as Allen's backup.