NFL Player News

Jackson's absence from practice Wednesday was due to a back issue, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Shaffer notes that Jackson "took a couple good hits to the upper body" during this past Sunday's win over the Lions. At this stage, however, there's nothing to suggest that the quarterback's availability for a Week 4 game in Denver is in any danger. A return to the field Thursday in any capacity would support that notion.

Watson (not injury-related) didn't practice Wednesday.

Look for Watson to continue to be listed as a non-participant on the practice report throughout the week before eventually being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills. With Tyrod Taylor (hamstring) on injured reserve, Davis Mills is once again in line to start at quarterback this weekend.

Dalton (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

While Dalton was limited in his return to practice, rookie signal-caller Justin Fields (right thumb) managed full participation. Head coach Matt Nagy said Dalton is still the starter when healthy, but it isn't yet clear if the veteran will be available for Sunday's game against the Lions. Dalton suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during the Week 2 win over Cincinnati.

Fields (thumb) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

The rookie should be healthy enough to play in Sunday's game against the Lions, but it's possible the right thumb injury affects his ability to grip on the ball. Head coach Matt Nagy reiterated Wednesday that Andy Dalton (knee) is still atop the depth chart at quarterback, but with the veteran being merely a limited participant in his return to practice Wednesday, Fields could get another start this upcoming weekend.

Jackson was held out of Wednesday's practice due to general soreness, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Jackson appears to have come out of Sunday's dramatic win over the Lions with some bumps and bruises, but there hasn't been any suggestion from the Ravens that he's in danger of missing a Week 4 game at Denver. Had it not been for Marquise Brown's trio of drops, Jackson might have finished last week's game with 300-plus yards and multiple touchdowns. He's certainly been explosive this year, averaging 8.7 yards per pass attempt and a league-high 7.2 yards per carry.

Head coach Matt Nagy expects both Dalton (knee) and Justin Fields (hand) to practice in some capacity Wednesday, and the coach noted that Dalton is still atop the Bears' depth chart at quarterback, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Dalton remains the starter, if healthy, but he's likely still dealing with pain and discomfort in his left knee a week and a half after suffering a bone bruise. While Fields' hand injury appears less serious, his putrid Week 3 performance as the fill-in starter could also be a factor here. As of Wednesday, it's unclear which quarterback will end up starting Sunday against Detroit.

The Texans plan to open up the offense for Mills in his second start Sunday against the Bills, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mills made his first NFL start Week 3 against the Panthers on just three days' preparation. As such, the coaching staff placed limitations on the rookie quarterback. Houston head coach David Culley believes the staff went too far in trying to protect Mills, who threw for 168 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over. The Texans may want to open up the offense, but they may have no choice against Buffalo, which averages 31.3 points per game. In whatever shape the game takes, it would be helpful if Mills has a competent running game. Houston has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry the last two weeks.

The Seahawks waived Luton on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Luton was waived by Jacksonville ahead of the initial 53-man roster deadline, but he was quickly scooped up by Seahawks. He spent the first three weeks of the season on Seattle's practice squad, but the 2020 sixth-round pick will have to find an opportunity to develop elsewhere.

The Broncos signed Rypien to their 53-man roster Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of Denver's official site reports.

Rypien appeared in three games for the Broncos last season and won his only start. When Teddy Bridgewater was acquired in the offseason, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Rypien wouldn't earn a spot on the initial 53-man roster. He signed with Denver's practice squad to start the season, but he has been called up to the active roster to avoid another team signing him.

Hurts completed 25 of 39 passes for 326 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Monday night's 41-21 loss to the Cowboys. He also rushed nine times for 35 yards.

Hurts' first play was a 38-yard connection with Dallas Goedert, but the quarterback was promptly intercepted on an attempted deep ball afterward. The Eagles and their starting signal-caller struggled to move the ball following that turnover, punting four straight times to end the first half. To begin the second, Hurts saw rookie wideout DeVonta Smith slip while getting out of his break on a target near the sideline, allowing Trevon Diggs to intercept him and run 59 yards for a touchdown. With the score already lopsided at that point, Hurts at least racked up yardage while being forced to pass for the remainder of the contest, picking up a pair of touchdown passes along the way. He again offered value on the ground, but overall Hurts' performance was much less flattering than his yardage suggests. He'll strive for an improved effort in Week 4 versus Kansas City.