NFL Player News

Colts head coach Frank Reich confirmed Wednesday that Ehlinger will start Sunday's game against the Raiders if Carson Wentz (illness) isn't cleared to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.

Wentz likely will miss the game after landing on the list Tuesday, but the NFL's new COVID-19 return-to-play protocol technically keeps the door open for him to play if he's symptom-free following a five-day isolation period. Ehlinger has been limited to three carries and no pass attempts during the regular season, after completing 21 of 31 throws for 288 yards and three interceptions in three preseason contests. He would offer more of a rushing threat than Wentz, but the quarterback switch would be bad news for anyone relying on wideout Michael Pittman or another Indianapolis pass catcher.

Jackson (ankle) is expected to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Jackson hasn't suited up since Week 14, but his return to practice has him trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Rams approaches. For now, Tyler Huntley (illness) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so Week 16 starter Josh Johnson is the only signal-caller on the roster at full health as the Ravens begin preparations for their home game versus Los Angeles.

Fromm and Mike Glennon are both expected to take snaps at quarterback during Sunday's game against the Bears, Darryl Slater of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Fromm was replaced by Glennon in the second half of Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Eagles after he completed six of 17 passes for 25 yards and an interception in his first NFL start. Although the 23-year-old struggled prior to being replaced Week 16, he's still expected to see playing time against Chicago. Head coach Joe Judge said Wednesday that the starting quarterback will be determined based on both players' performance in practice this week.

Hoyer (illness) was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The backup quarterback tested positive for the virus Tuesday and will likely be unavailable for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars. With Hoyer on the shelf, Jarrett Stidham will likely operate as the top reserve option behind starter Mac Jones.

Barkley was waived by the Panthers on Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The quarterback became the odd man out in Carolina as the team no longer needed him with Sam Darnold, Cam Newton and P.J. Walker all on the active roster. Barkley has not appeared in a game with the Panthers this season, and he last saw action in five games with the Bills in 2020, throwing for 197 yards with one touchdown and an interception. It is yet to be seen if another team will claim him or if he will join the Panthers' practice squad.

Peterman reverted to Las Vegas' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Peterman was added to the active roster to serve as the backup quarterback to Derek Carr with Marcus Mariota placed on the reserve-COVID-19 list. The veteran did not see any game action against Denver on Sunday. Now back on the Raiders' practice squad, he will likely remain there barring an injury to either Carr or Mariota.

Bridgewater remains in the concussion protocol as of Monday, Ben Swanson of the Broncos' official site reports. "We really don't have an update as far as whether he'd be available or not this week," coach Vic Fangio said.

Bridgewater picked up the concussion during a Week 15 loss to the Bengals when his face mask took the brunt of a fall into the ground while getting tackled. He was ruled out well ahead of this past Sunday's defeat at Las Vegas, and now it appears he may be in danger of missing another contest. As Fangio noted, Bridgewater's return is subject to an examination by an independent neurologist, but first he'll need to mix into drills before the end of the week. If Bridgewater ends up sitting Sunday at the Chargers, Drew Lock would get another spot start.

Mullens reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Mullens drew a spot start at QB in Week 15. However, Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum both returned in Week 16, so the 26-year-old Mullens was a healthy scratch against the Packers. He will now head back to the Browns' practice squad

Ehlinger may earn his first NFL start Sunday versus the Raiders after Carson Wentz (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In all likelihood, Wentz, who notably is unvaccinated, will be sidelined this weekend. A 2021 sixth-round pick, Ehlinger hasn't attempted a pass in three regular-season appearances while taking three carries for nine yards. In three preseason games back in August, he completed 21 of 31 passes for 288 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed 11 times for 55 yards. Behind Ehlinger, Brett Hundley and James Morgan are the quarterbacks on the Colts' practice squad.

Jackson (ankle) has a chance to practice Wednesday, Clifton Brown of the Ravens' official site reports. "I'm looking forward to that," coach John Harbaugh said Monday.

Harbaugh expressed hope that all of Jackson, Tyler Huntley (illness) and Josh Johnson would be on the field to begin Week 17 prep. Jackson hasn't practiced at all since suffering a sprained right ankle Dec. 12 at Cleveland, while Huntley landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. That combination gave the journeyman Johnson a spot start this past Sunday in Cincinnati, and he took advantage of the opportunity by completing 28 of 40 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and rushing five times for 10 yards. How practice breaks down between the three will help determine who is likely to be under center versus the Rams, but a healthy Jackson would get the nod in any scenario.