NFL Player News

Tagovailoa (ribs) is expected to return from injured reserve ahead of the Dolphins' Week 6 game Oct. 17 against the Jaguars in London, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Miami moved Tagovailoa to IR shortly after he was diagnosed with fractured ribs following the team's Week 2 loss to the Bills, and the second-year quarterback looks like he's on pace to rejoin the 53-man roster when first eligible. According to report, Tagovailoa's three-week absence is expected to provide sufficient time to allow his ribs to heal and enable his to resume throwing without discomfort, but the Dolphins will presumably still want to see how he looks in Week 6 practices before determining whether he's fit to play in London. In the meantime, Jacoby Brissett will pick up starts in Tagovailoa's stead Sunday against the Colts and in Week 5 against the Buccaneers, while Reid Sinnett serves as Brissett's backup.

Jackson (back) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Broncos, but he's expected to play barring any setbacks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jackson was unable to practice Wednesday and Thursday due to the injury, but he returned for a full practice Friday. With that in mind, Jackson should be able to suit up against a Broncos defense that has taken advantage of relatively favorable matchups through three games. Jackson, meanwhile, has racked up 761 passing yards and 251 rushing yards while accounting for five touchdowns in three contests.

Fields is slated to start Sunday against the Lions after the Bears downgraded Andy Dalton (knee) from questionable to doubtful Saturday.

Fields is coming off a less-than-desirable first NFL start Week 3 at Cleveland in which not only did he complete just six of 20 passes and get sacked nine times, but he emerged from the contest with a banged-up thumb in his right throwing hand. He proceeded to get through the week by logging full practices, while Dalton seems to have done everything in his power to return, putting in limited showings of his own. But after further examination, it appears Dalton just isn't ready to take over the No. 1 spot on the QB depth chart, which will give Fields another start and make Nick Foles the backup for at least one more game.

The Bears have downgraded Dalton (knee) to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions, which will give Justin Fields another spot start.

After managing limited practices during Week 4 prep, Dalton was given a 'questionable' designation, likely to give the Bears a bit more time to examine the state of the bone bruise in his left knee. He likely just isn't healthy enough to retain the No. 1 quarterback job in Chicago, meaning a second absence in a row is on the horizon. With Dalton out again, Fields will be under center Sunday and looking to redeem himself after a dreadful 6-for-20 passing performance Week 3 in Cleveland. Behind Fields, Nick Foles is on hand to serve as Fields' backup.

Driskel was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Driskel will once again take over the backup duties behind Davis Mills with Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) sidelined. Because Driskel was called up as COVID-19 replacement, he still has another week as an elevated practice squad call-up available, which gives the Texans plenty of roster flexibility as they continue to navigate their quarterback room.

Jackson (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos after returning to a full practice Friday.

Jackson is one of nine players listed by the Ravens as questionable for the contest, but after logging a full practice session Friday -- and looking good in the process, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com -- the QB is on track to suit up this weekend, barring any setbacks in advance of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

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

Watson, who has been inactive for Houston's first three games, thus is destined for another healthy scratch Week 4. With Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) still on injured reserve, Davis Mills will serve as the team's starting quarterback versus Buffalo, while Jeff Driskel once again is in line to be elevated from the practice squad to the Texans' active roster to handle backup duties.

Fields (thumb) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Detroit, while Andy Dalton (hand) is listed as questionable. Coach Matt Nagy said his starting quarterback will come down to a game-time decision, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.

Nagy previously said Dalton still is the starter when healthy, so his decision ultimately may come down to the team's medical staff and/or the veteran QB's pain tolerance. Fields was a disaster in Cleveland last week, but he should fare at least somewhat better if he ends up starting against the Lions. Full practices Thursday and Friday suggest his right thumb injury shouldn't be too much of a factor.

Dalton (knee) remained limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions. Coach Matt Nagy said Friday that his Week 4 starter will be a game-time decision, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.

It sounds like the Bears are leaving the door open for all possibilities, perhaps including a scenario where Dalton technically is active but Justin Fields gets the start. It does seem more likely Dalton simply would be ruled out, considering the Bears have a second veteran QB in Nick Foles capable of handling backup duties. Regardless, Nagy likely will try to avoid tipping his hand too far ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday, so hints could be few and far between until the Bears release their inactive list around 11:30 a.m. Dalton is recovering from a bone bruise, and he may have to deal with considerable pain if he does end up playing. Fields' right thumb injury is far less serious, with the rookie avoiding a game designation altogether.

Coach John Harbaugh relayed that Jackson (back) was a full participant in Friday's practice.

Back-to-back absences Wednesday and Thursday put the focus on Jackson's Friday participation level. It's still possible that the Ravens elect to list the QB as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, but at this stage it looks like he'll be good to go Week 4.