NFL Player News

Rodgers (toe) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Rodgers continues to manage his broken left pinkie toe, which may keep him off the practice field all week. Still, he doesn't need the reps to be ready for game action, as evidenced by his performance in three contests playing with the injury prior to the Packers' Week 13 bye (8.6 YPA and six TDs versus one interception). With Jordan Love on the reserve/COVID-19 list as the result of a positive test for the virus, the Packers signed Kurt Benkert to the active roster this week to handle all the practice reps that typically would go to Rodgers.

Goff (illness) returned to practice Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

In the midst of a flu outbreak in the Lions' locker room, Goff was among six Lions not to practice Wednesday for that very reason. Now that he's back on the field, he appears to be good to go moving forward, but his activity level won't be known until the release of Thursday's injury report.

Taylor (wrist) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

Per Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site, Taylor, who suffered a hyperextension of his left wrist in this past Sunday's loss to the Colts, shared first-team quarterback reps with Davis Mills on Wednesday. While head coach David Culley said a decision on the team's starting signal-caller for Week 14 -- and potentially for the rest of the season -- has yet to be made, he noted that Taylor's wrist issue won't be a factor in that call. Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston, citing league sources, reports that Mills is expected to get the starting nod, though an official announcement on that front may not arrive until the end of the week.

Burrow was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice with finger and knee injuries, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Per Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site, Burrow was held out of drills Wednesday so he could rest the dislocated pinkie finger on his throwing hand. That said, at this stage Burrow maintains that he doesn't foresee his finger injury or the knee issue preventing him from playing Sunday against the 49ers.

Taylor (wrist) is practicing Wednesday but isn't expected to start Sunday's game against the Seahawks, with the Texans likely turning the offense back over to rookie quarterback Davis Mills, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Taylor's poor performance since returning from injured reserve Week 9 already made a demotion to the No. 2 role a possibility before reports surfaced Monday indicating that the veteran signal-caller has torn ligaments in his left wrist. The injury is likely one the right-handed quarterback is able to play through, but Taylor looks poised to finish out the season as a backup even if the Texans are comfortable with his health. Of course, there's still time for another flip-flop, with five games remaining and Mills yet to win an NFL start. The Texans went 0-6 with the rookie under center Weeks 3 through 8.

Mills is expected to start Sunday's game against the Seahawks and may be the Texans' top quarterback for the remainder of the season, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Tyrod Taylor (wrist) took part in Wednesday's practice, but he may move into the backup role even if he's medically cleared for Sunday. Since returning from a stint on injured reserve Week 9, the veteran has performed no better than Mills, who tossed six touchdowns and seven interceptions in his six starts Weeks 3 through 8, averaging a meager 209.2 passing yards per contest.

Jones (neck) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Jones is in the midst of what's expected to be a multi-week absence due to a strained neck, having already sat out the Giants' Week 13 loss in Miami. Per Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger, Jones visited a specialist in Los Angeles on Monday and is still awaiting clearance for contact. Even so, Jones was able to get on the field for a fourth consecutive practice dating back to last week, while the Giants' No. 2 quarterback Mike Glennon, was a spectator Wednesday while he works his way through the concussion protocol. The Giants expect Glennon receive to clearance to play ahead of Sunday's road game against the Chargers, but they are preparing Jake Fromm for a spot start if needed.

Goff didn't participate in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to an illness, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Lions are dealing with a small flu outbreak at the moment, with Goff seemingly the biggest name to be told to stay home Wednesday. He's coming off NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the team's first win of the season this past Sunday, when he completed 25 of 41 passes for 296 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 29-27 win over the Vikings. Goff will have two more chances to get back on the practice field this week in advance of Sunday's game in Denver.

Head coach Matt Rhule reiterated Wednesday that Cam Newton is the team's starting quarterback, but Walker will play if he can help the Panthers win, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Walker replaced the ineffective Newton with just over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' Week 12 loss to the Dolphins, with Carolina training by 20 points when he checked into the contest. While operating in hurry-up mode, Walker had difficulties of his own, throwing a pick and conceding four sacks. Coming out of the bye, Newton remains the starter, but Walker will be available if the offense is stagnant once again.

Rodgers (toe) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Rodgers said the Packers' Week 13 bye helped his fractured toe heal a bit, but the injury is still something he'll need to manage until he has a chance for extended rest, which likely won't happen unless the Packers are able to lock up the NFC's No. 1 seed prior to their regular-season finale in Detroit in Week 18. He made it clear he expects to play in Sunday's game against the Bears, and he hopes to play out the rest of the regular season and playoffs without missing any action.