NFL Player News

Lock (ribs) didn't practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Coach Vic Fangio noted that Lock's ability to play Sunday against the Dolphins will depend on a few factors that will be evaluated as the week rolls along, while adding that the team wants the quarterback to see some practice reps in advance of the weekend. As long as Lock sits out or is limited at practice, however, Brett Rypien will continue to see added first-team work in his place.

Coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that Walker and Will Grier will receive equal reps in practice this week before the Panthers settle on a clear No. 2 quarterback, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Walker served as the top backup last weekend in the Panthers' blowout loss to the Buccaneers, and he ended up seeing action after Teddy Bridgewater exited with an MCL sprain in his right knee. The former XFL star struggled in limited action against a tough Tampa Bay defense, completing just two of four passes for 12 yards. Though the Panthers are hopeful Bridgewater will be ready to play Week 11 against the Lions, the backup competition between Walker or Grier will need to be monitored closely in the event Bridgewater's status remains in question heading into Sunday's contest.

Matt Rhule said Wednesday that he intends to give Grier and P.J. Walker even practice reps this week before settling on a clear No. 2 quarterback, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Top quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (knee) managed to begin the week with a limited practice, but his status for Sunday's game versus the Lions remains in question while he works through a sprained MCL. Whomever of Grier or Walker successfully wins the backup competition this week therefore will need to be monitored closely, particularly in fantasy leagues that start multiple quarterbacks.

Bridgewater (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

As expected, the Panthers capped Bridgewater's reps as the team kicked off preparations for a Week 11 matchup with the Lions. There's a decent chance he maintains this activity level all week to keep pressure off the MCL sprain in his right knee. Assuming the Panthers opt to keep Bridgewater sidelined Sunday, coach Matt Rhule will have a decision to make between reserves P.J. Walker and Will Grier at quarterback.

Stafford (thumb) didn't practice Wednesday.

The Lions are optimistic that Stafford will be able to play through a partial ligament tear in his right thumb, but he'll likely need to practice prior to Sunday's game in Carolina in order to suit up. The 32-year-old will have two more opportunities to prove in practice that his throwing ability won't be compromised by the injury.

The Cowboys activated Dalton (concussion/illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

A report from the Cowboys' official site Monday relayed Dalton cleared the concussion protocol and the necessary testing to come off the COVID-19 list, but the second one was a premature assessment. Now officially cleared from the COVID-19 list, he can gear up for Sunday's visit to Minnesota, where he'll likely retake the reins of the offense for the first time since Week 7. Expect the Cowboys to confirm as much in the near future.

Lock (ribs) isn't "expected to do much, if anything" in practice Wednesday, but the Broncos are hopeful that he'll be able to increase his activity in workouts by the end of the week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though he played every snap Sunday in the Broncos' 37-12 loss to the Raiders, Lock emerged from the game with a muscle strain and bruising near his ribs. The core injury has prompted the Broncos to label Lock as day-to-day, and Rapoport predicts the signal-caller will be in line for more of a rest day Wednesday as the team begins Week 11 prep. The Broncos' first injury report of the week will reveal whether Lock was a limited or non-participant, but his involvement in practices Thursday and Friday will prove more telling with regard to his status for the game against the Dolphins this weekend. On a positive note, Rapoport notes that Lock is "feeling a lot better" in the days since the Raiders game, but Brett Rypien and Jeff Driskel will be on hand as starting options in the event Lock can't gain clearance for the Week 11 contest.

Updating a previous report, Dalton (concussion) wasn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, but the quarterback remains on track to return to action in the Cowboys' Week 11 game at Minnesota, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dalton was ruled out ahead of the Cowboys' Week 9 loss to the Eagles while recovering from a concussion before he was moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 3 after contracting the coronavirus. The quarterback has since cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, and he's believed to be fully recovered from COVID-19 after being asymptomatic following his positive test. That said, Dalton's continued presence on the list suggests he still has to pass a few more phases of the NFL's COVID-19 protocol, though it shouldn't prevent him from suiting up Sunday. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has yet to name a Week 11 starter, but Dalton is expected to get the nod over Garrett Gilbert if he gains clearance to practice within the next few days.

Bridgewater (knee) is slated to be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Coach Matt Rhule expressed hope that Bridgewater would be on the field Wednesday, and now the quarterback's activity has been forecast. The MCL sprain in Bridgewater's right knee isn't considered to be significant, so taking part in drills to start Week 11 prep seemingly would set him on a path to suit up Sunday against the Lions. If the Panthers are forced to go a different direction, though, Bridgewater's replacement will be either P.J. Walker or Will Grier.

Stafford suffered a partial tear in a ligament in his right thumb, but he's expected to play in this Sunday's game versus the Panthers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Stafford picked up this injury during last week's win over Washington, and he finished the game without missing a snap. He'll likely be closely monitored during the practice week to see if the injury hinders his throwing ability, but the Lions are entering Week 11 under the assumption that Stafford will start under center. If Stafford's health takes a turn during the practice week, however, Chase Daniel is the next man up at quarterback.