NFL Player News

Ehlinger will serve as the backup to starting quarterback Carson Wentz (illness) for Sunday's game against the Raiders after head coach Frank Reich told Stacey Dales of NFL Network that Wentz received full medical clearance to play.

After Wentz was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Ehlinger took all the reps with the first-team offense in practices Wednesday through Friday and was staying prepared to make his first career start in the event the former wasn't able to clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Wentz was activated from the list Saturday after completing the required five-day quarantine, but in order to play against the Raiders, he still needed to show no signs of fever for a 24-hour period plus improved symptoms when re-evaluated earlier Sunday. Since Wentz was able to get the green light during his checkup, he'll now be on tap for the start after he was able to stay on top of the Colts' Week 17 game plan virtually while he was in quarantine. Ehlinger won't be needed unless Wentz suffers an injury at some point during Sunday's contest.

Fromm will serve as the Giants' No. 2 quarterback in Sunday's game against the Bears and isn't expected to be used as part of a timeshare with starter Mike Glennon, who returns to the lineup after a one-game benching, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Fromm's run as the Giants' starting quarterback will end after just one game, a testament to how truly disastrous he was in his first extended NFL action during last week's 34-10 loss to the Eagles. Before being pulled midway through the third quarter, Fromm completed only six of 17 attempts for 25 yards and an interception while carrying three times for 12 yards. Glennon replaced him and didn't fare much better (17-for-27 for 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception), but the Giants may feel that the 32-year-old veteran gives the team a better chance at competing down the stretch than Fromm. More likely than not, the Giants will look to move on from Fromm and Glennon and bring in another quarterback (or two) in 2022 to provide insurance behind Daniel Jones (neck), who is expected to reclaim the starting role when he returns from injury next season.

Though the Ravens may elect to take a decision with Jackson (ankle) up to game-time, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that Tyler Huntley profiles as the likely starter for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Jackson, who last suited up in Week 14, is officially listed as questionable after missing practice Thursday and Friday. Fortunately for those considering either of the Ravens' top two QBs in Week 17 fantasy lineups, the team kicks off at 1:00 ET on Sunday.

Garoppolo (thumb), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Texans, is not expected to play but the 49ers are optimistic he could return Week 18 against the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Trey Lance looks set to start Sunday against Houston as a result. Prior reports indicated that Garoppolo suffered a fracture and Grade 3 UCL tear of his right thumb in last week's loss to Tennessee, so he'll need to show progress next week in practice to return for the regular season finale.

Hoyer was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Hoyer hit the list Tuesday but has cleared the necessary protocols. He'll be on the sideline for Sunday's tilt against the Jaguars.

Browning was elevated to the active roster Saturday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

It's a little curious the Bengals will have three quarterbacks active for Sunday's tilt against the Chiefs, but with no negative news regarding the status of starter Joe Burrow, don't expect Browning or No. 2 QB Brandon Allen to see much time on the field.

Allen was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Allen needed only four days to clear the COVID-19 protocol, but the Bengals still opted to elevate Jake Browning to the active roster, which would indicate Allen still isn't quite up to speed. Neither quarterback is expected to see any time with Joe Burrow healthy and coming off a career day in the win over the Ravens last week.

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Mayfield's performance has been hindered by a harness the quarterback has worn for his injured left shoulder, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Van Pelt said the harness "handcuffed him a little bit," an issue that became more evident following Mayfield's four-interception game last week against Green Bay. Head coach Kevin Stefanski believes the quarterback has adjusted to the harness and refuses to see it as an excuse for Mayfield's performance. Entering Monday night's meeting in Pittsburgh, Mayfield has an 86.1 quarterback rating, the second-lowest in four seasons and off from last year's 95.9 rating, while completing 62.4 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Watson (not injury-related) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

With Watson headed for the inactive list Week 17, Davis Mills is on track to handle Houston's starting quarterback duties. Tyrod Taylor will serve as Mills' backup.

Sudfeld was elevated to the 49ers' active roster from the practice squad Friday.

Sudfeld will be the No. 2 quarterback Sunday against the Texans, with Jimmy Garoppolo doubtful due to a thumb injury. Sudfeld has appeared in four NFL games in his career, all with the Eagles and spread out between 2017 and 2020. The 28-year-old has completed 25 of 37 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and an interception in his career.