NFL Player News

Bridgewater completed 15 of 23 passes for 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Panthers' 25-17 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night. He also rushed five times for 30 yards.

It was ultimately a forgettable night all the way around for Bridgewater, albeit one that started off with plenty of promise. The seven-year veteran led the Panthers on a pair of first-half scoring drives that were capped off by Curtis Samuel touchdowns, but he all but disappeared in the second half while also briefly missing time due to a neck injury. Bridgewater would ultimately have one late opportunity to get Carolina in position to tie up the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion, but he threw an interception at the Falcons' nine-yard line with 1:04 remaining to snuff out any hopes of a comeback. Bridgewater's passing yardage total was his lowest of the season by far, but he'll have to quickly put the hiccup behind him with a high-powered Chiefs squad on tap in a Week 9 road interconference matchup on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Bridgewater (neck) has retaken the field in the fourth quarter Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Bridgewater was forced out of action Thursday after suffering a late hit to the head during the third quarter. He was initially listed as questionable after clearing the concussion protocol, and P.J. Walker began the Panthers' subsequent offensive drive, but Bridgewater managed to sprint back on the field with just under nine minutes remaining in the game. He'll attempt to lead the Panthers out of a 25-17 deficit.

Bridgewater has been forced out of Thursday's divisional match against the Falcons after taking a hit to the head in the third quarter, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Bridgewater was tripped by Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler before then suffering a hit to the head from Charles Harris, who was subsequently ejected from the game. The QB was able to walk off the field under his own power before entering the blue medical tent. P.J. Walker, the Panthers' only other active quarterback for Thursday night, will slot in under center as long as Bridgewater remains sidelined.

Darnold (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

The Jets capped Darnold's reps in Wednesday's session, but those limitations were likely just maintenance-related after he returned to game action in last Sunday's loss to the Bills on the heels of a two-game absence. With Darnold reporting no setbacks with his right shoulder coming out of that contest, he'll be in the clear to make his sixth start of the season this weekend against the Chiefs. The young signal-caller may have to make do without a couple of weapons in the passing game, as both Jamison Crowder (groin) and Breshad Perriman (concussion) have yet to practice fully this week and could be at risk of sitting out in Kansas City.

DiNucci took all the Cowboys' first-team reps at quarterback during practices Wednesday and Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

While Dallas hasn't ruled out Andy Dalton (concussion) from starting this weekend in Philadelphia, the signal-caller has been a non-participant in the first two practices of Week 8. According to Gehlken, Dalton's involvement in Dallas' quarterback meeting Thursday morning marks a step forward for the veteran as he navigates the concussion protocol, but he'll almost certainly need to get some on-field reps in Friday to have a shot at playing against the Eagles. Barring a major turnaround in Dalton's condition in the next day, DiNucci looks poised to make his first career start Sunday after he played 12 snaps in relief of the concussed Dalton in last week's loss to Washington. At this time, little buzz has emerged suggesting that the Cowboys plan to bring in a more experienced option at the position beyond journeyman Garrett Gilbert, who was recently poached from Cleveland's practice squad to serve as the clear No. 2 behind DiNucci.

Minshew underwent X-rays on his right thumb earlier this week that revealed multiple fractures and a sprained ligament, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

According to the report, Minshew has been dealing with discomfort in his thumb since Oct. 11 against the Texans, but the Jaguars didn't know about the injury until this week. Minshew will have a Week 8 bye to aid his recovery, but Schefter notes that the Jaguars aren't certain Minshew will be available for the team's Week 9 rematch with the Texans on Nov. 8. Next up on the depth chart at quarterback are Mike Glennon and Jake Luton.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Dalton (concussion) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Though Dalton won't be on the practice field for a second straight day, the veteran signal-caller has seemingly progressed on some level in his recovery from the concussion he sustained in the Week 7 loss to Washington. As Gehlken notes, Dalton participated in the team's quarterback meeting Thursday, which suggests the Cowboys have some hope he might be available for Sunday's game in Philadelphia. For now, rookie Ben DiNucci looks like the probable starter for Week 8, as he'll continue to see all the first-team reps for the second day in a row.

Mayfield was absent from the Wednesday's injury report.

Mayfield was a daily entry on injury reports the last two weeks due to rib and chest injuries. The reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week enters Week 8 healthy, as the Browns prepare to face a Las Vegas defense that ranks 26th overall and 28th against the pass.

Taylor (ribs) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Taylor practiced fully last Wednesday but was ultimately inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, so he's not in the clear yet. The 31-year-old quarterback hasn't played since a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung while administering a pain-killing injection prior to a Week 2 matchup against the Chiefs. If Taylor sits out again, Easton Stick will serve as Justin Herbert's backup again Sunday versus Denver.

Darnold (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Darnold saw his first game action since Week 4 in last Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Bills, so the quarterback is presumably just getting some extra maintenance Wednesday for his throwing shoulder. Perhaps of more concern with regard to Darnold's fantasy prospects Week 8 against the Chiefs is that two of the Jets' starting wideouts -- Jamison Crowder (groin) and Breshad Perriman (concussion) -- were both unable to practice Wednesday.