NFL Player News

Stafford (rib/right thumb) is listed as active Saturday against the Buccaneers.

Stafford's status was less up in the air than a week ago, but he still was questionable due to a rib-cartilage injury and slight ligament tear in his right thumb. Tampa Bay's defense has been vulnerable through the air, allowing the ninth-most passing yards per game (255.3) this season. However, Stafford again will be without his top wide receiver in Kenny Golladay (hip).

Jones (ankle/hamstring) is expected to start Sunday against the Ravens, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jones seemed to be trending in this direction considering he was available, albeit in limited fashion, all week during practice. The 23-year-old has played in just one game during the month of December thanks to a lingering dual hamstring and ankle injury, but expect the second-year pro to be available Sunday.

Cousins completed 27 of 41 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 52-33 loss to the Saints on Friday. He also committed a fumble that was recovered by the offense.

Facing one of the best turnover-forcing defensive units in the league, Cousins was able to refrain from giving the ball away, a relatively rare feat for the veteran signal-caller. He actually put together an impressive performance that would have been good enough to topple many teams, had he gotten a better performance from the Vikings defense. The 32-year-old has now tossed multiple touchdowns in seven of the last eight games, an excellent stretch that's made him one of the best and most consistent fantasy assets at the quarterback position during the latter portion of the campaign. Now having thrown a career-high 32 touchdown passes through 15 games, Cousins will look to close out his ninth season in strong fashion versus the vulnerable Lions defense Week 17.

The 49ers placed Mullens (elbow) on injured reserve Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mullens suffered a season-ending injury Week 15 that may require Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow. The true nature of the issue hasn't been confirmed, but the 49ers now have done the expected and opened up a spot on the active roster with his placement on IR. C.J. Beathard will lead the offense for the final two contests of the campaign, with new signee Josh Rosen backing him up.

Jones (ankle/hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Baltimore, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Jones was limited in practice Wednesday through Friday, never quite making it to full participation. Even so, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network both believe Jones is on track to play. The Giants have a 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday in Baltimore, with Colt McCoy on hand to make the start if Jones is a surprise inactive.

Head coach Joe Judge said that Jones (ankle/hamstring) is "heading in the right direction," seemingly putting the quarterback on track to start Sunday in the Giants' game against the Ravens, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Judge's comments came after Jones practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day Thursday. While Jones was a limited participant all of last week before ultimately being ruled out ahead of the Giants' loss to the Browns, he's been taking the first rep ahead of Colt McCoy in both of the team's practices this week, a sign that the coaching staff believes the 2019 first-rounder is on track to play in Baltimore. The Giants will evaluate Jones at their final Week 16 practice Friday before deciding whether to give the signal-caller an injury designation for the contest.

Carr (groin) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday night's game against the Dolphins after practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday.

While that suggests Carr is good to go this weekend, Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes that a decision on who will start at QB for the Raiders has yet to be revealed by coach Jon Gruden, who is "optimistic" that Carr will be ready Saturday but isn't "going to let the cat out of the bag," adding that "both (Carr and Marcus Mariota) have prepared to play."

Allen (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said earlier Thursday he expected Allen to be available for Sunday's game in Houston, and the quarterback's ability to take every rep at Thursday's practice seemingly backs up that notion. Taylor hasn't formally announced a Week 16 starting quarterback, but Allen is expected to take back the role from Ryan Finley, who led the Bengals to an upset win over the Steelers on Monday but threw for just 89 yards in the contest.

The Saints reinstated Winston from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports.

Winston was added to the list Sunday after being deemed a close contact of a person infected with the virus, but after self-isolating and testing negative over the last several days, he's been cleared to rejoin the Saints. The quarterback has presumably been staying connected with the Saints through virtual meetings during the team's Week 16 prep, so Winston could be available to back up Drew Brees in Friday's game against the Vikings.

Jones (ankle/hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Jones split first-team reps with Colt McCoy for the second straight practice, but the second-year signal-caller appears to be in a better spot health wise than he was last week. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Jones has been the first quarterback under center in practices Wednesday and Thursday, whereas McCoy took the initial reps last week before getting the starting nod ahead of Sunday's loss to Washington. Unless he turns in full workout Friday, Jones is still likely to be listed as questionable for this weekend's game in Baltimore, but he appears to have an edge over McCoy for the start based on his practice usage thus far.