NFL Player News

Head coach Doug Marrone hinted Wednesday that Minshew may not resume duties as the Jaguars' starting quarterback once he recovers from his right thumb injury, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Minshew hasn't been cleared to throw since being diagnosed Oct. 29 with multiple fractures and a sprained ligament in his thumb, so he'll be sidelined for a second straight game Sunday in Green Bay. In Minshew's stead, Luton will pick up another start after turning in a respectable outing in his NFL debut Week 9, completing 26 of 38 attempts for 304 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding a 13-yard touchdown run in the Jaguars' 27-25 loss to the Texans. Marrone noted that a decision on which quarterback starts beyond Week 10 will hinge on how Minshew heals from the injury and how Luton performs against Green Bay.

The Browns reinstated Mayfield from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Though he never actually tested positive for COVID-19 himself, Mayfield was placed on the list Sunday after he was deemed to be in close contact with an infected Browns staff member. Mayfield continued to test negative in each of the subsequent days, resulting in the Browns granting him clearance to resume team activities. Since he's now expected to be on the field Wednesday for the Browns' first Week 10 practice, Mayfield's ability to prepare for Sunday's game against the Texans shouldn't be affected.

Stevens was released from New Orleans' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

The 23-year-old failed to make the Saints' season-opening roster and remained with the organization on the practice squad, but he's now been let go. Stevens was a seventh-round pick during the 2020 draft out of Mississippi State.

The Packers activated Love from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Love was placed on the COVID-19 list last Friday, but he's available for team activities immediately after clearing the necessary hurdles. The rookie first-round pick hasn't suited up in a game this season, as Tim Boyle has been the backup for Aaron Rodgers.

The Jets waived White on Tuesday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

White was promoted from the practice squad to serve as Joe Flacco's backup during Monday's loss to the Patriots. With a bye week on tap for the Jets, White was let go. He has yet to play a game since being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Rudolph will receive the bulk of the reps at quarterback in practice this week with starter Ben Roethlisberger (knees) uncertain to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to this weekend's game against the Bengals, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Roethlisberger was one of four Steelers placed on the list Tuesday after those players were identified to have been high-risk close contacts of tight end Vance McDonald, who tested positive for COVID-19 following Sunday's 24-19 win over the Cowboys. Even though Roethlisberger has tested negative for the coronavirus, he'll still be forced to self-isolate for five days in accordance with NFL protocols, meaning he won't be able to practice Wednesday through Friday. Roethlisberger will continue to take part in virtual meetings with the Steelers and will remain prepared to start Week 10 if he's activated from the list when eligible Saturday, but Rudolph waits in the wings in case the veteran can't go. Rudolph's last NFL start came against this same Bengals team back on Nov. 24, 2019, when he struggled through two quarters before being pulled in favor of Devlin Hodges.

Darnold said Tuesday that his sore throwing shoulder is improving, but he labeled himself as day-to-day heading into the Jets' Week 10 bye, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Coming out of a Week 8 loss to Kansas City, Darnold's right shoulder didn't respond as well as the Jets had hoped, prompting head coach Adam Gase to rule the signal-caller out ahead of Monday's game against the Patriots. Joe Flacco drew his third start of the season and performed well in the Jets' 30-27 loss, but Darnold will remain atop the depth chart heading into a Nov. 22 game against the Chargers if his shoulder cooperates. Darnold admitted that he has yet to outline a throwing or rehab regimen while the Jets are on bye, so his status for Week 11 may not gain clarity until the team holds its next formal practice Nov. 18.

Rush reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Rush was active as a backup option to Garrett Gilbert for Sunday's home game against the Steelers, but he was not needed in a surprisingly close contest that ultimately saw Pittsburgh prevail 24-19. Ben DiNucci was a healthy scratch for Week 9, meaning that if Andy Dalton (concussion/illness) can't gain medical clearance by the time Dallas next plays Nov. 22 against Minnesota, Rush may be called up once again.

Darnold (shoulder) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Patriots.

As a result, Joe Flacco is slated to draw the start at QB for the Jets on Monday, while Darnold will look to take advantage of the Jets' Week 10 bye in order to heal up and hopefully reenter the lineup in the team's Nov. 22 road game against the Chargers.

Coach Mike McCarthy isn't optimistic that Dalton (concussion/illness) will be cleared for action by the end of this week, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

That said, the Cowboys are on bye Week 10, so the QB will look to gain medical clearance next week as the team's preparations for a Nov. 22 matchup against the Vikings begin. Once he's back on the field, Dalton will be reinstated as the team's starting QB.