NFL Player News

The Cowboys aren't yet ruling Prescott out from playing Week 6 against the Eagles, but he's still in the process of regaining strength in his surgically repaired right thumb and would need to make significant strides in the next week to have a chance at suiting up, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.

Cooper Rush will make his fourth consecutive start Sunday against the Rams while Prescott remains sidelined, and the former looks as though he could tentatively be in line for another start in Philadelphia unless the franchise quarterback's condition takes a dramatic turn for the better over the next several days. Upon undergoing surgery on his thumb Sept. 12, Prescott was projected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, so the game against Philadelphia would mark the midpoint of that recovery timeline. The Cowboys will likely have another update available for Prescott on Tuesday, when he's set to meet with a doctor as he aims to gain clearance to take part in more on-field work. Since getting surgery, Prescott has been able to do only light tosses with the football and is waiting for the swelling and soreness in his thumb to completely subside before he ramps up his throwing.

Jones (ankle), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions, is expected to miss a second straight contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Given his doubtful designation, Jones' expected absence Week 5 shouldn't come as much of a surprise to fantasy managers. He'll likely be placed on the Patriots' inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, setting the stage for rookie Bailey Zappe to make first NFL start. Garrett Gilbert has been activated from the practice squad to handle backup duties behind Zappe.

Wilson has played the last two games with a partially torn lat near his right shoulder, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Wilson received a PRP injection in his shoulder to relieve discomfort, but the quarterback isn't expected to need surgery. Per Schefter, Wilson picked up the issue during the team's Week 4 loss to the Raiders, played through the discomfort in Thursday's matchup against the Colts, and plans to do so again against the Chargers in Week 6. While the veteran signal caller was solid in Week 4, he completed just 54 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions during the Broncos' Week 5 overtime loss to Indianapolis.

Wilson underwent a procedure Friday to relieve discomfort in his throwing shoulder, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Wilson received a PRP injection in his shoulder to help relieve the discomfort, an injury that Pelissero suggests is more common among MLB players. The veteran is expected to play through the issue -- at least ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the Chargers -- but it's possible the injury could force Wilson to miss time down the road if it persists. The 33-year-old is coming off a mistake-plagued primetime matchup against the Colts, where he completed just 21 of his 39 passes and threw two interceptions.

With Mac Jones (ankle) listed as doubtful, Zappe is trending toward starting Sunday's game against the Lions, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Given that Brian Hoyer (concussion) is on IR, Zappe will draw the start Sunday if Jones can't, with Garrett Gilbert a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as his backup. If Zappe does indeed make his first regular-season NFL start this weekend, he'd be a speculative option in most fantasy formats, but he does offer an option to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.

Jones (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions after being limited at practice this week.

Though the Patriots haven't totally ruled Jones out for Sunday's game, the doubtful designation signals that Bailey Zappe is expected to be the team's starting QB this weekend. At this stage, it seems likely that Garrett Gilbert will be elevated from the team's practice squad ahead of Week 5 action, and barring major improvement in short order, Jones' ankle injury appears poised to sideline him for a second straight week.

Winston (back/ankle) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle, while Andy Dalton will start, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The Saints are leaving the door open for Winston to be active in a backup role. He's not a Week 5 fantasy option, missing out on a friendly matchup against a Seahawks team that's been much better than expected on offense and even worse than expected on defense.

Dalton will start Sunday's game against the Seahawks, while fellow quarterback Jameis Winston (back/ankle) likely will be listed as doubtful, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

In other words, Winston has a slim chance to be active but only as the backup. Dalton thus gets another start after completing 20 of 28 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown in a 28-25 loss to the Vikings in London last week. The Saints will be missing WR Michael Thomas (foot) again, but RB Alvin Kamara (ribs) is on track to return and face one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and the Saints also expect Jarvis Landry (ankle, questionable) to play, per Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Taylor (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Green Bay, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Taylor remains in the league's concussion protocol and will be forced to miss at least one game after he sustained his injury in last week's win over the Bears. However, Daniel Jones (ankle) should be available to start under center, while Davis Webb likely will be elevated to the active roster to serve as the backup quarterback.

Cowboys president Jerry Jones said Friday that Prescott's thumb is getting better, but his grip still isn't strong enough for him to play in a game, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Prescott reportedly was targeting the upcoming Week 5 game in Los Angeles at one point, but he's been forced to reassess and set his sights toward Week 6 or 7. The issue isn't any kind of setback so much as the Cowboys being overly optimistic about the recovery timeline, or at least leaving the door open for Prescott to surprise. He's set to miss a fourth straight game but hasn't been ruled out beyond Week 5.