NFL Player News

Dalton (knee) will start versus the Browns in Week 3 if healthy enough to suit up, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Dalton will remain Chicago's starter, if healthy, but the Bears still are waiting for the results of further tests on the veteran quarterback's knee. Initial results at least were encouraging enough to rule out such severe injuries as an ACL tear or MCL damage, and as things currently stand it appears Dalton is dealing with a bone bruise. Rookie first-round pick Justin Fields played the entire second half of Sunday's 20-17 over the Bengals in relief of Dalton, but he struggled and only completed six of 13 passes for 60 yards, including an interception that nearly allowed Cincinnati to make a comeback.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Mayfield (shoulder) is "sore, but fine," Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Mayfield was briefly forced out of Sunday's 31-21 win over the Texans due to a left shoulder injury, but he nonetheless managed to retake the field and lead the Browns to a victory. The fourth-year quarterback also managed to overcome losing Jarvis Landry (knee) early in the first quarter. While Landry hasn't officially been ruled out for Week 3 against Chicago, he's been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, making the wideout's availability uncertain at best. Mayfield could be in for a rough time if he's forced to take on the Bears with Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz and Rashard Higgins as his starting wideouts, though a capable tight end corps of Austin Hooper, David Njoku and Harrison Bryant should help pick up slack in the receiving game. Additionally, it appears possible that Odell Beckham (knee) could be ready to make his season debut Week 3, though the Browns won't make a decision on that front until mid-week, at least.

Coach David Culley indicated Monday that Watson will not be active for Thursday night's game against the Panthers, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

Based on the way the Texans have handled things over the first two weeks of the season, look for Watson to continue to be listed as DNP/Not Injury Related at practice before being ruled out on the team's final injury report heading into Thursday's contest. With Watson not in consideration for Week 3 activation, rookie Davis Mills would be in line to start at QB for Houston versus Carolina if Tyrod Taylor is unavailable due to the hamstring injury he suffered Sunday.

Taylor (hamstring) is day-to-day ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Panthers, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

"If [Taylor's] ready to go, he'll play," coach David Culley said Monday. The veteran signal-caller completed 10 of 11 pass attempts for 125 yards and a touchdown and also turned his lone carry into a 15-yard score before being forced out of Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Browns. If Taylor isn't able to make a quick recovery, rookie Davis Mills will draw his first NFL start. In either case, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports that Deshaun Watson will remain a healthy scratch.

Tagovailoa (ribs) underwent further testing Monday but X-rays on his ribs were once again negative, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Tagovailoa was forced out of Sunday's 35-0 blowout loss to the Bills early in the first quarter and given an initial diagnosis of bruised ribs, and further medical testing hasn't revealed a more major injury. That means pain management will be the key factor in determining Tagovailoa's availability for Week 3 against the Raiders, so the Dolphins may not make any decision until seeing how well the second-year quarterback holds up in practice. Jacoby Brissett failed to move Miami's offense at all versus Buffalo, completing 24 of 40 passes for 169 yards and an interception with zero touchdowns.

Dalton (knee) did not suffer a torn ACL or MCL in Sunday's contest according to initial medical examinations, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Dalton was forced out of a 20-17 win over the Bengals in the second quarter after coming up lame during a 14-yard scramble, though he did briefly return for the next drive before heading to the locker room. Chicago's initial diagnosis for Dalton's injury is a bone bruise, which could force him to miss some time depending on severity, but it's certainly good news that the veteran has avoided a season-ending knee issue. Further tests will help establish a recovery timetable for Dalton. Rookie first-round pick Justin Fields would stand to handle starting duties under center if the 33-year-old veteran can't suit up for next weekend's road matchup in Cleveland.

Houston head coach David Culley was vague when asked about Watson's status heading into Week 3, a Thursday night matchup against the Panthers, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The major development in Sunday's loss to the Browns was the hamstring injury suffered by starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was replaced by rookie Davis Mills to start the third quarter. On a short week of preparation, Taylor's availability for Thursday is unknown until the Texans can evaluate him over the next few days. Presuming Taylor is a no-go Thursday and Mills starts, Watson could be an option as the backup quarterback. "We'll have to wait and see what happens," Culley said. Watson has been inactive for the first two games of the season. The Texans could also elevate Jeff Driskel, who spent training camp and preseason with Houston, from the practice squad.

Mahomes completed 24 of 31 pass attempts for 343 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 36-35 loss to the Ravens.

Mahomes carved up the Ravens' secondary -- as he is known to do on occasion -- while spreading the ball around to nine different receivers. He did have an ill-advised interception on which he tried making one of his signature throws while being tackled to the ground, but that was one of his few missteps on the day. While his team ended up falling just short of victory, Mahomes' gaudy stat line will surely boost his fantasy managers' scores heading into the final game of Week 2. The young phenom could be involved in his third consecutive shootout in a divisional matchup against Justin Herbert and the Chargers on Sunday.

Jackson completed 18 of 26 pass attempts for 239 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions while rushing 16 times for 107 yards and two more scores in Sunday's 36-35 win over the Chiefs.

It was a tale of two halves for Jackson, as he got off to an ominous start when a first-drive pass was picked off by Tyrann Mathieu for a touchdown. The dual-threat quarterback had just 75 yards passing and two interceptions going into the second half, but he promptly put the team on his shoulder pads and outdueled Patrick Mahomes, even tossing in an incredible jumping touchdown throw to Marquise Brown. The Ravens have had a myriad of injuries to start the season, but that may actually benefit Jackson's fantasy managers, as he will be asked to carry the load similar to Sunday's impressive victory. Up next is a favorable matchup against a green Detroit defense next Sunday.

Tannehill completed 27 of his 40 passes for 347 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's Week 2 win over the Seahawks.

Tannehill returned to his more efficient ways after a disappointing Week 1 effort, recording 8.7 yards per attempt. He spread the ball around, with four different receivers getting five targets or more. However, Tannehill showed particular rapport with Julio Jones, and the duo connected for five passes that went for 15 yards or more. Tannehill's production still lagged due to Derrick Henry finding the end zone three times in the second half to key a comeback win, though this performance was a step in the right direction.