NFL Player News

Wilson (finger) is expected to have the pin removed from his middle finger within the next week, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports.

Wilson initially carried a recovery timetable of 4-to-8 weeks after he underwent surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his middle finger. However, the 32-year-old has a chance to return from injured reserve as early as Week 10, when Seattle plays the Packers on Nov. 14. Geno Smith should continue to serve as the Seahawks' starting quarterback while Wilson is sidelined.

Mullens has reverted to the Browns' practice squad per the NFL's transaction log.

Mullens was elevated to the Browns' active roster prior to Thursday's victory over the Broncos. He backed up Case Keenum, who was replacing Baker Mayfield (shoulder) under center. Though Mullens suited up, he didn't see any action on the field.

Lance (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Lance won't be available this week, but fellow quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been cleared to return from a calf injury. Both guys figure to contribute to the team this year, but Lance's Week 5 start against the Cardinals didn't exactly bolster his case for more playing time. The ankle injury also doesn't help, though it'll likely heal within the next few weeks. That said, Lance didn't practice at all this week.

Watson (not injury-related) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

As is expected to be the case all season while he remains a member of the Houston roster, Watson won't practice or play in games. Fantasy players in deeper leagues that have stashed Watson amid his string of continued absences could eventually be rewarded for their patience, however, as trade discussions involving the quarterback have reportedly picked up over the past week. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that the Dolphins have "intensified their efforts" to acquire Watson, while Jeff Howe and Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reported the same day that the Texans have also held recent trade talks with the Eagles and the Panthers. The Nov. 2 trade deadline thus looms as an important date with regard to Watson's potential to play at any point in 2021.

Garoppolo (calf) will start Sunday's game against the Colts, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Trey Lance (ankle) is ruled out on the Friday injury report, while Garoppolo has no designation for the game. The veteran QB will suit up for the first time since Week 4, with Nate Sudefeld coming up from the practice squad to provide depth. Garoppolo returns to face the Colts, who have struggled against the pass this year with a 15:5 TD:INT and 7.4 net yards allowed per attempt (sixth worst).

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Mayfield (shoulder) may be ready to practice Monday, but the decision will ultimately be made by team doctors, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. "I don't know the exact answer to that," Stefanski said, when asked if another week of rest would make a significant difference in the health of Mayfield's left shoulder. "I would just tell you we're going to continue to listen to the medical staff on this, and when he's ready, he's ready."

Mayfield saw his streak of 51 consecutive regular-season starts come to an end in Thursday's 17-14 win over the Broncos, after the Browns' medical staff determined it was best for Mayfield not to play through the complete labrum tear in non-throwing shoulder on a short week. Additionally, Mayfield disclosed to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports that he's tending to a fractured humerus bone, which has prevented him from getting full range of motion in the shoulder. Before being ruled out of the Week 7 contest, Mayfield took all the first-team reps in Tuesday's practice, but the inflammation in his shoulder didn't subside as the medical staff had hoped. With that in mind, Mayfield's ability to return to practice next week will likely hinge on how much the inflammation has dissipated following a few extra days of rest. Mayfield is eventually headed for surgery on the shoulder, but in the meantime, he's hopeful to play through the injury for the rest of the season. Next up for the Browns is an Oct. 31 home game against the Steelers.

Tagovailoa (ribs) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa never advanced beyond limited participation in practice Wednesday through Friday, but the Dolphins are evidently confident in his health coming out of last week's loss to the Jaguars in London. Making his first appearance since Week 2 in that contest after sitting out the previous three games due to fractured ribs, Tagovailoa completed 33 of 47 attempts for 329 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while carrying three times for 22 yards. Rather than any concern about his ribs issue, most of the conversation surrounding Tagovailoa this week has focused on his future in the organization, as the 23-year-old's name has popped up in trade rumors of late. For his part, Dolphins head coach Brian Flores reiterated Friday that Tagovailoa is the team's starting quarterback now and for the foreseeable future, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com.

Lance (knee) isn't practicing Friday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) is on track to return and start, while Lance's continued absence suggests Nate Sudfeld will need to be called up from the practice squad before Sunday's game against the Colts. The rookie QB hasn't practiced since spraining his MCL in the Week 5 loss to Arizona.

Bridgewater (foot/quadriceps) completed 23 of 33 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Broncos' 17-14 loss to the Browns on Thursday night. He also rushed twice for three yards.

Battling multiple lower-body injuries, Bridgewater turned in a reasonably effective effort, connecting with seven different pass catchers along the way. The veteran signal-caller hit each of his primary running backs on his pair of touchdown tosses, linking up with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams from eight and 10 yards out, respectively, in the second half. Bridgewater did toss an interception for the third straight game, with all five of his picks on the season having come during that span. The hobbled 28-year-old will now have some extra rest days ahead of a Week 8 home matchup with Washington a week from Sunday.

Keenum completed 21 of 33 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the Browns' 17-14 win over the Broncos on Thursday night. He also rushed four times for seven yards.

Logging the spot start for Baker Mayfield (shoulder), Keenum turned in a yeoman's effort, staying away from turnovers and allowing D'Ernest Johnson to carry the bulk of the offense on his shoulders out of the backfield. The veteran also displayed good pocket presence by taking just one sack against an aggressive Denver defense, and he undoubtedly benefited from having both Odell Beckham (shoulder) and Jarvis Landry (knee) active for the contest. Mayfield's myriad of shoulder and rotator cuff issues currently have his return timeline in limbo, so it remains to be seen if Keenum will get the call again in a key Week 8 AFC North home matchup against the Steelers a week from Sunday.