NFL Player News

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.

Jackson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams after not practicing Thursday or Friday.

Head coach John Harbaugh noted Friday that Jackson "has a chance to play" in the contest, but if that doesn't happen, Tyler Huntley, who came off the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, is available to fill in as the starting quarterback. Look for added context with regard to Jackson's Week 17 status to arrive late Saturday or early Sunday ahead of the game's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Goff (knee) didn't practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game in Seattle.

The Lions have been preparing Tim Boyle to start all week, with Goff missing every practice and now highly unlikely to play in Sunday's game. Boyle started last week's 20-16 loss at Atlanta with Goff on the COVID-19 list, completing 24 of 34 passes for 187 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Garoppolo (thumb) isn't practicing Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Another absence for Garoppolo has Trey Lance trending toward his second NFL start, with the first being a 17-10 loss at Arizona back in Week 5. The rookie will get an easier draw if he gets the nod this Sunday, as the 49ers are hosting the 4-11 Texans and now have TE George Kittle in the lineup.

Mond will be the backup quarterback behind Sean Mannion during Sunday's contest against the Packers after Minnesota placed Kirk Cousins on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.

Mond will be active for a second straight contest after being inactive for the first 15 weeks of the season. Last week, the rookie third-round pick was the backup to Cousins after Mannion was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but this week, he will be backing up Mannion after Cousins was ruled out due to the NFL's protocols. Barring an injury or blowout, Mond isn't expected to see the field in Week 17.

Rodgers (toe) returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com notes that Rodgers' practice participation is a sign of progress, following back-to-back weeks with nothing but absences. The veteran quarterback seems to have avoided further aggravations of his toe injury since Week 14, and he's the frontrunner for NFL MVP after tossing 16 touchdowns (and zero interceptions) over the past five games. Four of those were Green Bay wins, with the exception being Week 11 at Minnesota when Rodgers' 385 passing yards and four touchdowns weren't quite enough to get the job done. A similar stat line Sunday night should do the trick, however, with the Packers playing at home against Sean Mannion, who is filling in for regular starting quarterback Kirk Cousins (reserve/COVID-19 list).

Boyle is expected to receive his second straight start Sunday against the Seahawks after head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged that Jared Goff (knee) is doubtful to be available to play, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

While Goff was on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week after testing positive for the virus, Boyle picked up his second start of the season and of his career. Boyle fared far better last week in the Lions' 20-16 loss to Atlanta than he did in his Detroit debut Week 11 in Cleveland, completing 24 of his first 33 attempts for 187 yards and a touchdown before throwing a game-ending interception at the goal line in the final minute. Though Goff was restored from the list Monday and was expected to take back the reins of the Detroit offense this week, he was unable to practice Wednesday through Friday while he remained troubled by the knee injury he suffered late in the first half of the Lions' Week 15 win over Arizona. Boyle was thus able to take all the first-team reps in practice to keep himself prepared for the assignment, but he may have to make do without his starting tight end (Brock Wright) and two starting receivers (Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond). All three pass catchers were placed on the COVID-19 list between Monday and Thursday and aren't guaranteed to be cleared prior to Sunday's game.