NFL Player News

Chicago reinstated Dalton (hand) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

Dalton returns to the 53-man roster after a six-day day stint on the list. Before being deactivated and then missing the Bears' Week 15 loss to the Vikings, Dalton had been dealing with a fractured hand that prevented him from practicing seven days ago, but the time off may have allowed him to fully heal. Dalton is expected to serve as the Bears' No. 2 quarterback Sunday in Seattle, though he could be pressed into starting duty if Justin Fields isn't able to move past the minor ankle injury that limited his participation in Wednesday's practice.

Book is expected to serve as the Saints' starting quarterback Monday against the Dolphins, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The fourth-round rookie out of Notre Dame has typically been inactive on game days as New Orleans' No. 3 quarterback this season, but he now looks on track to make his NFL debut in a big spot for the playoff-hopeful Saints, who aren't expected to have either Taysom Hill or Trevor Siemian available for the contest. Both Hill and Siemian are expected to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list later Thursday, and after both have reportedly tested positive for the virus, the Saints aren't expecting either quarterback to clear the necessary protocols in advance of Monday's game. New Orleans will likely add another signal-caller to the active roster prior to the Week 16 contest, but the unproven Book should get the starting nod, given his familiarity with head coach Sean Payton's playbook. During his lone preseason appearance against the Jaguars in August, Book completed nine of 16 attempts for 126 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He showed above-average running ability in college, compiling 485 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground in 12 games during his final season at Notre Dame.

Siemian tested positive for the coronavirus and will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list later Thursday, Jeff Duncan of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The Saints are dealing with a minor COVID-19 outbreak at the moment, as Siemian is set to join tight ends Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson on the list, while head coach Sean Payton and multiple executives in the organization have also tested positive in recent days. If Siemian isn't able to test out of NFL's COVID-19 protocol prior to Monday's game against the Dolphins, rookie Ian Book would serve as the backup to starting quarterback Taysom Hill.

Washington activated Heinicke (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

After spending the last six days in quarantine, Heinicke is no longer symptomatic of the virus and will rejoin the Football Team for practice Thursday, setting him up to reclaim starting duties Sunday in Dallas. While both Heinicke and top backup Kyle Allen (illness) were on the reserve/COVID-19 list Week 15, Garrett Gilbert stepped in for the start in Tuesday's 27-17 loss to the Eagles. If Allen isn't cleared before the Week 16 contest, Gilbert will serve as the backup to Heinicke, whose recent absence had the benefit of allowing him to heal up from the knee and elbow injuries he sustained in the first matchup with Dallas in Week 14.

With Baker Mayfield's quarantine period ending Friday, making him eligible to play Saturday against Green Bay, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Mullens could be the second-string quarterback.

Mullens was the fill-in starter in Monday's 16-14 loss to the Raiders, as both Mayfield and Case Keenum were on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Mayfield will need to be evaluated by Cleveland's medical staff, including for conditioning, before he's made active for the game. Keenum's quarantine period extends beyond Friday, and he will need to test negative prior to Saturday in order to be eligible.

Mayfield (illness) will be a candidate to play Saturday against the Packers because his 10-day quarantine period expires Friday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Players that landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on or before Dec. 15 will be eligible because of expiring quarantine periods.

If Mayfield gets a negative test prior to Friday, he can join the team on the flight to Green Bay. If not, he'll have to travel separately Friday. So, it would appear the Browns could have their starting quarterback available Saturday, the only caveat being Mayfield has not been able to practice with the team since Tuesday of last week. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was cleared Wednesday after testing negative, avoids that travel predicament. Stefanski stressed that every player who returns from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to play will need to be evaluated by the club's medical staff, which will include the player's conditioning. Other members of the team in the same boat as Mayfield include wide receiver Jarvis Landry and left tackle Jedrick Wills. Backup quarterback Case Keenum will need to test negative in order to be active for the game.

Driskel (collarbone) was placed on IR on Wednesday.

Driskel suffered a fracture collarbone in the Texans' Week 15 game with the Jaguars. It was the former quarterback's debut playing the tight end position. He only played 10 snaps on special teams before suffering the injury. Now out for the rest of the season, Driskel will spend the offseason getting healthy and most likely tightening up his skills as a tight end.

Cousins was a limited participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a rib injury.

Cousins rarely misses games, let alone practice reps, so his inclusion on the Vikings' first Week 16 injury report is noteworthy. Still, he managed to mix into some drills and has two more sessions this week to get back to his customary full allotment of reps.

Jackson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Jackson could resume practicing as soon as Wednesday. It didn't happen, of course, and Harbaugh didn't say much about the team's QB situation prior to Wednesday's practice. Furthermore, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds that Jackson may be dealing with a bone bruise, rather than just a lower-ankle sprain. That doesn't rule him out for the upcoming game against Cincinnati on Sunday, but it does suggest pain management/tolerance will be a consideration. Tyler Huntley will get another start if Jackson can't go.

Hurts (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

After missing one game and benefiting from the Eagles' late bye, Hurts returned to action Tuesday against Washington and turned in one of his more productive performances of the season. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 296 yards, one touchdown and one interception and compiled eight carries for 38 yards and two more scores in the 27-17 victory. It's no surprise Hurts' practice reps are being managed this week less than a month removed from sustaining a left high-ankle sprain, and he'll have two more practices before Philadelphia potentially tags him with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Giants.