NFL Player News

Smith is in line to step in as Seattle's starting quarterback beginning with the team's Week 6 game at Pittsburgh with Russell Wilson (finger) expected to be sidelined for at least a month, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

After exiting Thursday's loss to the Rams, the ultra-durable Wilson was diagnosed with a ruptured middle finger tendon on his right hand, an injury that will likely keep him out for anywhere from a month to 6-to-8 weeks. Seattle may look to the trade market or free agency for another veteran replacement, but for now, Smith looks set to quarterback a team with legitimate playoff aspirations for the first time in his nine-year career. Smith acquitted himself reasonably well while filling in for Wilson for most of the second half of the Week 5 loss, completing 10 of 17 attempts for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Even so, the change from Wilson to Smith is obviously a big downgrade for the Seattle offense, and for the fantasy values of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

The Seahawks are preparing for Wilson (finger) to miss at least one month and possibly 6-to-8 weeks, as the ruptured tendon in his middle finger likely will require surgery, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

While X-rays came back negative after his exit from Thursday's loss to the Rams, the 32-year-old quarterback was diagnosed with tendon damage to his right middle finger, creating concern that he'll need surgery and require a long-term absence. That hasn't been confirmed, but the Seahawks and Wilson already seem to be leaning in that direction less than 24 hours after he suffered the injury. Geno Smith is expected to take over as Seattle's starting quarterback.

Bridgewater (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers after returning to a full practice Friday, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.

Per Troy Renck of Denver 7 News, Bridgewater has reportedly cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, including the necessary exam from an independent neurologist. Even so, the Broncos will continue to monitor the quarterback for the time being. Barring any setbacks, Bridgewater will travel with the team to Pittsburgh on Saturday and then start Sunday's game. Confirmation on Bridgewater's availability will come approximately 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, when Denver releases its inactive list.

Lance will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie was promising last week, completing nine of 18 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns after Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) left the 49ers' eventual 28-21 loss to Seattle. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo would still be the starter if healthy, but Lance now gets his chance to make an impression with Garoppolo ruled out for the team's final game before a Week 6 bye. Lance does get a tricky matchup with the blitz-happy, undefeated Cardinals, and he'll likely be without star tight end George Kittle, who is listed as doubtful with a calf injury of his own.

Garoppolo (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Some figured Trey Lance would take over after a Week 6 bye, but now he'll get his first NFL start right before it. The timing does give Garoppolo a decent shot to avoid any further absences, with coach Kyle Shanahan maintaining that he still wants the veteran to be his starting quarterback when healthy. Of course, that's always subject to change if Lance does big things with his opportunity this weekend against the Cardinals.

The Texans ruled out Watson (coach's decision) for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Watson hasn't practiced since the start of the regular season and is expected to remain inactive throughout the campaign, so long as he remains a member of the Houston roster. The Texans are expected to call up Jeff Driskel from their practice squad to serve as the backup behind starting quarterback Davis Mills this weekend.

Garoppolo (calf) wasn't on the field for Friday's practice and appears unlikely to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Though Garoppolo's right calf injury kept him from practicing Wednesday and Thursday, GM John Lynch suggested that Friday's session would be more critical to the quarterback's chances of playing this weekend. With Garoppolo destined to go down as a non-participant on the final injury report, however, he now looks set to miss the Week 5 matchup, paving the way for rookie first-round pick Trey Lance to pick up his first career start. The 49ers will provide an official designation for Garoppolo later Friday, and there's still a possibility he could be listed as questionable or doubtful rather than out if head coach Kyle Shanahan is leaving the door open for the veteran signal-caller to serve as an emergency backup to Lance.

Bridgewater (concussion) is expected to be medically cleared by independent doctors Friday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Assuming that's the case, Bridgewater would then be cleared to practice fully Friday. After practice, the quarterback is in line to meet with the Broncos medical staff. Barring a setback in practice, Bridgewater is expected to gain clearance to start Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Wilson will undergo an MRI on Friday after initial X-rays on the sprained right middle finger he suffered in Thursday's 26-17 loss to the Rams returned negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

There's concern Wilson is dealing with tendon damage, a condition also known as mallet finger, per Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. According to Bell, a tendon injury would typically require a splint that "must be worn day and night for 6-to-8 weeks," and could also necessitate surgery. Wilson is set to visit a hand specialist following the MRI, at which point there should be a better idea of his outlook moving forward. For now, the 32-year-old's status for Week 6 and beyond remains questionable at best. Geno Smith is poised to take over at quarterback for Seattle should Wilson be forced to miss any time.

Smith entered the Seahawks' 26-17 loss to the Rams on Thursday night in place of Russell Wilson (finger) with 14:42 remaining and completed 10 of 17 passes for 131 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Smith immediately caught the Rams' attention by leading the Seahawks on a 10-play, 98-yard scoring march that he capped off with a 23-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf to bring Seattle within two points at the time. After Los Angeles countered with a touchdown drive, Smith was able to get his squad into field-goal range and keep matters interesting until he threw an interception on the first play of his third possession, one that seemed to be at least partly the result of intended receiver Tyler Lockett taking some contact from a defensive back as he ran his route. Smith certainly offered what would have to be termed serviceable play at the very minimum, but both fantasy managers and the Seahawks will naturally be clamoring for a quick return to health for Wilson, who's been diagnosed with a bad finger sprain, ahead of a Week 6 road battle against the Steelers a week from Sunday.