NFL Player News

With Baker Mayfield's quarantine period ending Friday, making him eligible to play Saturday against Green Bay, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Mullens could be the second-string quarterback.

Mullens was the fill-in starter in Monday's 16-14 loss to the Raiders, as both Mayfield and Case Keenum were on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Mayfield will need to be evaluated by Cleveland's medical staff, including for conditioning, before he's made active for the game. Keenum's quarantine period extends beyond Friday, and he will need to test negative prior to Saturday in order to be eligible.

Mayfield (illness) will be a candidate to play Saturday against the Packers because his 10-day quarantine period expires Friday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Players that landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on or before Dec. 15 will be eligible because of expiring quarantine periods.

If Mayfield gets a negative test prior to Friday, he can join the team on the flight to Green Bay. If not, he'll have to travel separately Friday. So, it would appear the Browns could have their starting quarterback available Saturday, the only caveat being Mayfield has not been able to practice with the team since Tuesday of last week. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was cleared Wednesday after testing negative, avoids that travel predicament. Stefanski stressed that every player who returns from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to play will need to be evaluated by the club's medical staff, which will include the player's conditioning. Other members of the team in the same boat as Mayfield include wide receiver Jarvis Landry and left tackle Jedrick Wills. Backup quarterback Case Keenum will need to test negative in order to be active for the game.

Driskel (collarbone) was placed on IR on Wednesday.

Driskel suffered a fracture collarbone in the Texans' Week 15 game with the Jaguars. It was the former quarterback's debut playing the tight end position. He only played 10 snaps on special teams before suffering the injury. Now out for the rest of the season, Driskel will spend the offseason getting healthy and most likely tightening up his skills as a tight end.

Cousins was a limited participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a rib injury.

Cousins rarely misses games, let alone practice reps, so his inclusion on the Vikings' first Week 16 injury report is noteworthy. Still, he managed to mix into some drills and has two more sessions this week to get back to his customary full allotment of reps.

Jackson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Jackson could resume practicing as soon as Wednesday. It didn't happen, of course, and Harbaugh didn't say much about the team's QB situation prior to Wednesday's practice. Furthermore, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds that Jackson may be dealing with a bone bruise, rather than just a lower-ankle sprain. That doesn't rule him out for the upcoming game against Cincinnati on Sunday, but it does suggest pain management/tolerance will be a consideration. Tyler Huntley will get another start if Jackson can't go.

Hurts (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

After missing one game and benefiting from the Eagles' late bye, Hurts returned to action Tuesday against Washington and turned in one of his more productive performances of the season. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 296 yards, one touchdown and one interception and compiled eight carries for 38 yards and two more scores in the 27-17 victory. It's no surprise Hurts' practice reps are being managed this week less than a month removed from sustaining a left high-ankle sprain, and he'll have two more practices before Philadelphia potentially tags him with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Giants.

Rodgers (toe) didn't practice Wednesday, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

It's no surprise Rodgers didn't take part in any drills, as it's been his weekly routine since it was revealed he was tending to a fractured toe. The consistent rest hasn't affected his play in the slightest, with Rodgers completing 70.8 percent of his passes for 916 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions during Green Bay's current three-game winning streak. Rodgers will look to sidestep a designation entirely for Saturday's game against the Browns upon the release of the Packers' final Week 16 injury report Thursday.

Carolina head coach Matt Rhule said Darnold (shoulder) will get playing time Sunday against Tampa Bay, even though Cam Newton will retain the starting job and receive the bulk of the snaps, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.

Darnold remains on injured reserve, but he looks like he'll be activated this week after he returned to practice Monday and was then cleared for contact following an MRI and CT scan Tuesday. The 24-year-old quarterback could be set up to reclaim the starting job Week 17 or 18, though he won't exactly be positioned for success as the Panthers close out their season with two games against the Bucs and one against the Saints. It's been a struggle for the Carolina offense since September, regardless of whether Newton, Darnold or P.J. Walker has taken the snaps.

Lock will start Sunday's game against the Raiders, after Broncos coach Vic Fangio ruled out Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) on Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

While he has yet to make a start, Lock has appeared in three games this season, each time reminding the Broncos why he's a backup. He's completed 22 of 40 passes for 227 yards (5.7 YPA) this season, with one touchdown, three turnovers and five sacks. Lock has a stronger arm than Bridgewater, but poor accuracy means the 25-year-old is unlikely to turn things around for Denver's talented-but-slumping wideout group.

Bridgewater (concussion) won't play in Sunday's game against the Raiders, but he hasn't been ruled out beyond that, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

With Bridgewater sidelined for Week 16, Drew Lock will make his fourth appearance and first start of the season, hoping to improve upon some ugly numbers in limited action (22 of 40 for 227 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions). Broncos head coach Vic Fangio confirmed that Bridgewater will still be the starter once he's healthy, though it isn't clear when that'll happen after a hard hit in Sunday's loss to Cincinnati sent the signal-caller into the NFL's five-step concussion protocol.