NFL Player News

The 49ers don't plan on activating Garoppolo (ankle) from injured reserve before their Week 16 game against the Cardinals, and the quarterback appears increasingly unlikely to play again this season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Garoppolo has been sidelined since Nov. 1 with a significant right high-ankle sprain, and though he avoided surgery to address the injury, the 29-year-old still has yet to resume practicing seven weeks later. Though Garoppolo could be cleared to get in some on-field reps next week, the 49ers already appear to have ruled him out from starting against the Cardinals, leaving the Jan. 3 season finale against the Seahawks as his last chance to suit up. However, with the 5-8 49ers on the brink of being eliminated from postseason contention, Garoppolo likely won't be activated -- even if medically cleared -- if there's little at stake in Week 17. Assuming Garoppolo is in fact shut down for the season, it could spell the end to his tenure with the 49ers, as San Francisco could cut him this offseason while taking only a modest $4.2 million hit to its salary cap space.

Stafford (rib/thumb), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans, plans to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

According to Schefter, Stafford tore rib cartilage in last week's loss to the Packers, resulting in him missing practices Wednesday and Thursday. He returned to limited activity Friday, however, and apparently convinced the Lions in that workout that he'll be able to tough it it out Sunday. The quarterback's Week 15 status will be confirmed once the Lions' inactives are released approximately 90 minutes prior to the game's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Rodgers completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts for 143 yards and one touchdown in Week 15 against the Panthers. He added five rushes for 26 yards and another touchdown on the ground.

Rodgers was in rhythm early and led the Packers to touchdowns on each of their first two drives. He capped the first with a one-yard touchdown toss to Robert Tonyan before rushing into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown on Green Bay's second drive. However, Rodgers wouldn't reach the end zone again and took to the air only 10 times in the second half after building a three-possession lead. The Packers will likely be in for a more competitive game in Week 16 against the Titans, which should give Rodgers more of a chance to work downfield.

Bridgewater completed 21 of 35 passes for 258 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Panthers' 24-16 loss to the Packers on Saturday night. He also rushed four times for 26 yards and a score while losing a fumble.

Bridgewater extended a theme that's been a recurring one for him through what is now a 10-loss season for the Panthers -- putting together a solid stat line in defeat. The veteran was able to work around three sacks and six quarterback hits overall to connect with the returning DJ Moore on six occasions for a team-high 131 yards, but he ultimately went just 1-for-3 on Carolina's last-gasp drive, which started deep in own territory and never advanced past the 26-yard line. Bridgewater also failed to throw a touchdown pass for the second straight contest after a five-game streak with at least one scoring toss, a dubious feat he'll look to snap at the expense of Washington in a Week 16 battle on Sunday, Dec. 27.

Lock completed 20 of 32 pass attempts for 132 yards and one touchdown, adding five rushes for 37 yards with one lost fumble during Saturday's 48-19 loss to the Bills.

The sophomore signal-caller committed a lost fumble for a second straight game, with Saturday's instance resulting in a 21-yard scoop-and-score for Buffalo's Jerry Hughes. Denver's offense has committed a turnover in 14 consecutive games, as Lock's 13 interceptions stand behind only Carson Wentz for the 2020 league high. Despite Lock posting a career-best 149.5 passer rating last Sunday in a win over Carolina, questions regarding his future with the organization may loom into the offseason given yet another turbulent outing during Week 15. He'll have a chance to relive one of his shining achievements of the season in Denver's next matchup, facing a Chargers team against which he and the Broncos overcame a 24-3 deficit to secure a Week 8 win.

Allen completed 28 of 40 pass attempts for 359 yards and two touchdowns, adding three rushes for 33 yards and two rushing scores during Saturday's 48-19 win against the Broncos.

The 24-year-old was already enjoying an all-time Bills season coming into Week 15, sitting atop the franchise record books with 35 offensive TDs (28 passing, six rushing and one receiving). With a dominant effort against Denver's injury-depleted secondary, Allen posted his third consecutive outing of two or more passing TDs as Buffalo clinched its first division title since 1995. Notching his first performance of the season with multiple rushing scores, Allen now has 12 games with both a pass and rush TD since the start of 2019 (NFL high). He also joined Cam Newton as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with 30-plus pass TDs and eight or more rushing scores in a single season. A Week 16 matchup against New England will be challenging with Allen having an opportunity to build on his MVP bid. Allen has never exceeded a 62 percent completion rate over four games against New England, posting a career 3:6 TD:INT ratio.

The Ravens elevated Huntley to the active roster Saturday, Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Huntley will serve as Baltimore's No. 2 quarterback during Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Robert Griffin (thigh) is reportedly aiming to return from IR in Week 16, at which point Huntley could revert to a reserve role.

Siemian has been waived by the Saints.

With Drew Brees (ribs) back from IR, Siemian is the odd man out, while Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston will remain in the team's backup QB mix.

McCoy is expected to start against the Browns on Sunday night, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McCoy, who began his NFL career as a third-round pick by the Browns back in 2010, looks like he'll get a chance to helm the Giants' offense against his former team. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was more definitive in his phrasing, as he reported that McCoy "will" start Sunday. Daniel Jones (hamstring/ankle) previously missed Week 13 against Seattle, a game in which McCoy mustered up 101 passing yards and a 1:1 TD:INT ratio. Former Cleveland coach Freddie Kitchens is also set to call plays Sunday, while Jabrill Peppers (selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Browns) will draw his usual start at safety.

Jones (ankle/hamstring) is not expected to start Sunday night's game against the Browns despite being listed as questionable, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jones was able to practice in limited fashion all week so it's a bit surprising there are reports already suggesting the second-year quarterback will be unable to play, but considering the Giants won't kick off until 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, the early warning might help fantasy managers better prepare. It's worth noting Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Colt McCoy will start, seemingly removing any sort of possibility Jones could make a miraculous turnaround before the prime-time contest, but the Giants have yet to officially make that call.