NFL Player News

Dalton (left hand/groin), whom the Bears activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, logged a full practice in his return to the team.

Prior to landing on the COVID-19 list, Dalton was dealing with a small fracture in his non-throwing hand. He was listed with that precise injury on Thursday's practice report, but a groin issue accompanied it. Still, Dalton handled every practice rep at the same time Justin Fields (ankle) downgraded from 'limited' Wednesday to DNP one day later. The development could be setting the table for Dalton to earn another spot start this weekend in Seattle, but Fields has one more chance to mix into drills this week before the Bears travel west for Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Jackson (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Back-to-back absences set the stage for Friday's walkthrough to be Jackson's only chance to be listed as a practice participant in any capacity this week, per Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun. Meanwhile, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site relays that offensive coordinator Greg Roman reiterated that the team is taking it "day-by-day" with the star QB, who hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury back on Dec. 5. Though Baltimore isn't ruling Jackson out for Sunday's game against the Bengals at this stage, Mink notes that Tyler Huntley is preparing to potentially start his third game of the season this weekend.

Fields (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

The Bears held a walkthrough Wednesday, after which Fields was listed as a limited participant. Now that the team returned to a normal session, though, he didn't take part in any drills. It's unclear if Fields' ankle issue is putting him in danger of being absent Sunday in Seattle, but Andy Dalton (left hand/groin) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and practiced in full. An inactive Fields would yield quarterback duties to Dalton.

The Saints placed Siemian (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Siemian was one of nine New Orleans players added to the list Thursday, all the result of positive COVID-19 tests, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. If Siemian is vaccinated and asymptomatic, he'll be eligible to play Monday against the Dolphins, but the Saints already seem to be proceeding as though neither he nor top signal-caller Taysom Hill (illness) will be available to return from the list Week 16. With neither Hill nor his top backup expected to play, rookie fourth-round pick Ian Book is the likely candidate to start in his NFL debut Monday night, in a game that has major playoff implications for both the Saints and the Dolphins.

Hurts (ankle) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice report.

After the Eagles didn't hold a practice Wednesday, they returned to the field Thursday in a walkthrough setting. Hurts was 'limited' both days as he continues his recovery from a high left ankle sprain. He was able to gut it out and produce Tuesday versus Washington, completing 20 of 26 passes for 296 yards, running for 38 yards on eight carries and scoring three total TDs (one passing, two rushing). Friday's injury report will clarify whether Hurts enters the weekend with a game-day designation.

Rodgers (toe) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's game against the Browns, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

This comes as no surprise as Rodgers hasn't practiced on his fractured toe for weeks but still has been able to suit up on game days. He nonetheless has been on point during the Packers' current three-game winning streak, averaging 305.3 yards per game and tossing nine touchdowns versus no interceptions during that span.

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.