NFL Player News

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.

Jackson (back) is participating at Friday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Jackson sat out practice the past two days while managing back soreness, so it's a good sign to see him back on the field, even if he only ends up working as a limited participant. It's unclear whether the 24-year-old will end up with an injury designation for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos, though he at least appears to be trending in the right direction.

Lawrence completed 17 of 24 passes for 204 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Jaguars' 24-21 loss to the Bengals on Thursday night. He also rushed eight times for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Lawrence lost his duel with fellow first overall pick Joe Burrow, albeit by a much tighter margin than many projected coming in. This year's top selection was particularly impressive during the first half, when he led the Jaguars to a surprising 14-0 lead. Lawrence often zeroed in on the sure-handed and versatile Laviska Shenault, whom he connected with on a team-high six occasions for 99 yards, and he persevered despite losing DJ Chark to a fractured ankle in the first half. While Lawrence and the Jaguars offense fell mostly flat as a whole in the second half, the fact that this was the rookie's first turnover-free performance was certainly a step in the right direction. Lawrence will look to carry over the positive momentum into a Week 5 divisional home battle against the Titans a week from Sunday.

Burrow completed 25 of 32 passes for 348 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Bengals' 24-21 win over the Jaguars on Thursday night. He also rushed three times for four yards.

Burrow led the Bengals' second-half charge after Cincinnati surprisingly found itself down 14-0 at halftime. The 2020 first overall pick outdueled this year's top selection Trevor Lawrence over the final two quarters, with a pair of touchdown passes to C.J. Uzomah and numerous key completions to Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase critical to the hosts outscoring Jacksonville by a 24-7 margin over the final 30 minutes. Burrow ultimately finished the second half with a 152.1 passer rating and capped off his performance by helming a 10-play, 73-yard march that culminated in Evan McPherson's game-winning field goal. Burrow and the Bengals will savor the win for the moment and then will start preparing to host the Packers in a Week 5 showdown a week from Sunday.