NFL Player News

Heinicke has "a real chance" to be Washington's starting quarterback for Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports

According to Rapoport, typical starter Alex Smith's right calf remains sore and has yet to loosen up, which contained him to a pair of limited practice sessions this week. On Tuesday, coach Ron Rivera opened the door for Washington to have a rotation at QB, and after Heinicke handled the majority of first-team reps, the Football Team is considering giving him the first shot to direct the offense. Such a decision may not be known until close to Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that Goff has made progress following surgery on his dislocated right thumb, but he has yet to make a decision on the Rams' starting quarterback for Saturday's wild-card game in Seattle, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

After injuring his thumb Week 16, Goff underwent the procedure and sat out the regular-season finale, which allowed John Wolford a spot start at QB. As this week of practice proceeded, Goff looked crisp in drills but was listed as limited on all three injury reports. Goff himself told Rodrigue that taking snaps under center felt "good" in practice, but the Rams still consider him questionable to suit up this weekend. Ultimately, a decision on Goff's status will be announced approximately 90 minutes before Saturday's 4:40 p.m. ET kickoff.

Blough completed six of 10 passes for 49 yards with one interception in one game in 2020.

After Blough made the Detroit roster out of training camp only to get cut in September, the Lions thought enough of the 25-year-old to sign him back to the active roster once it was known in October that the Cowboys were in the market for someone to replace Dak Prescott (knee). However, Blough went on to see action in just a single game in 2020 while serving as the No. 3 QB behind Matthew Stafford and Chase Daniel. While there's a chance he could return as the No. 2 option in 2021 should Daniel be let go, it seems more likely that Detroit will take a developmental signal-caller in the upcoming draft to fill that role.

Goff (right thumb) is listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game at Seattle, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

Goff underwent surgery Dec. 28 to repair a dislocated right thumb suffered during Week 16 action. The procedure kept him off the field in the regular-season finale, but he's setting himself up to return by logging limited practices this week. According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, Goff still was wearing a bandage on his thumb but displayed "zip" on shorter throws Thursday while building up to those in the mid-range. The Rams will officially reveal his availability about 90 minutes before Saturday's 4:40 p.m. ET kickoff.

Goff (thumb) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

According to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com, Goff looked comfortable throwing passes just 10 days after undergoing surgery on a dislocated right thumb. After Wednesday's session, head coach Sean McVay said the Rams continue to proceed as if Goff is day-to-day, per Omar Ruiz of NFL Network. Wide receiver Robert Woods also told Ruiz that Goff was "slinging the ball pretty well" and "looked good throwing it." Goff likely has to emerge from the week of prep without complications to be cleared for Saturday's wild-card game at Seattle. Fortunately for the signal-caller, he has one more chance to do so at Thursday's practice.

Goff (thumb) appears to be proceeding through warmups without issue Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Just 10 days removed from undergoing surgery on his right thumb -- which he dislocated Week 16 -- Goff seemed to be going through the motions at Wednesday's session. Per Thiry, not only was Goff seen throwing passes, but he went through ball-security drills, too, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. Goff went down as a limited participant at Tuesday's walk-through, so it'll be interesting to see if he elevates to full midway through the practice week.

Heinicke took reps with the first-team offense at the beginning of Wednesday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Meanwhile, Alex Smith (calf) seems set to go down as a non-participant for a second consecutive session. Head coach Ron Rivera hasn't ruled out the possibility of incorporating a quarterback rotation for Saturday's wild-card matchup with Buccaneers, so the fact Heinicke is getting reps with the first team may forecast what's to come this weekend. In his sole appearance of the season Week 16 against the Panthers, Heinicke completed 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown while compiling 22 more yards on three carries.

Luton completed 60 of 110 passes for 624 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions while recording one carry for a 13-yard touchdown in three games this season.

The rookie sixth-round pick received a surprising opportunity to start after Gardner Minshew went down with an injury, but he failed to take advantage of the three-game opportunity. Luton and Minshew are the only quarterbacks under contract for next season with Mike Glennon hitting free agency, but Jacksonville is poised to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick during the 2021 NFL Draft. Luton figures to be fighting for a roster spot in training camp.

Sinnett signed a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on Tuesday.

The rookie UDFA was elevated from the practice squad by Miami for two games this season but never saw game action. Sinnett will work through the Dolphins' offseason program and attempt to earn the backup job in 2021.

Goff (right thumb) was a limited participant at Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Sean McVay is keeping his cards close to the vest, stating that he won't name a starting quarterback until 90 minutes before Saturday's 4:40 p.m. ET kickoff, when the inactive list is due. However, Goff has been throwing passes, and even McVay admitted that the QB is "preparing himself to play" against the Seahawks, according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com. The final verdict will depend on whether Goff's performance is hindered, less than two weeks removed from thumb surgery on his throwing hand. In the case that Goff is held out, John Wolford will start under center while Blake Bortles slots in as the backup. Wolford completed 58 percent of his passes for 231 yards, no touchdowns and an interception and ran for 56 yards in last week's 18-7 win over the Cardinals.