NFL Player News

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.

Coach Kyle Shanahan is hoping Garoppolo (ankle) returns at some point "later in the season," Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Shanahan noted Garoppolo has ditched the walking boot he's been wearing since suffering his second high-ankle sprain of the season back in Week 8. The 49ers return to action Sunday, Nov. 29 against the Rams following their Week 11 bye, which lines up with the front end of his 4-to-6-week rehab timeline. That said, the team likely will be cautious with Garoppolo's recovery, which instead would mean he'd return -- if cleared -- for one of the final five contests of the campaign.

Lock is dealing with a "pretty severe strain and bruising" to his ribs and is considered day-to-day, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter adds that Lock avoided broken bones, but the Broncos are still uncertain if the 24-year-old quarterback will be ready for this Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Lock was clearly playing through pain in last week's loss to the Raiders, and his performance suffered, as he completed just 49 percent of his passes and threw four picks. It could simply be a matter of pain tolerance yet again, and Lock's practice status Wednesday will be the best indicator of his health. Brett Rypien and Jeff Driskel will prepare to start at quarterback in the event that Lock can't play.

Coach Matt Nagy may consider a QB change in the wake of Nick Foles (hip/glute) getting injured during Monday's loss to the Vikings, Stacey Dales of NFL Network reports. "Everything's on the table," Nagy said.

The Bears don't believe Foles' injury is as bad as initially thought, and Nagy considers the quarterback to be day-to-day as the team enters its bye week. During the respite from playing, Nagy intends to look into the situation at QB to determine who is best suited to start Sunday, Nov. 29 in Green Bay. Trubisky has missed the last two games due to an unspecified right shoulder injury, but if he gains clearance to play before Foles, there seems to be a chance Nagy will turn to the fourth-year signal-caller.

Cousins completed 25 of 36 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Monday night's 19-13 win over the Bears.

Cousins played well while finally winning his first Monday night start in 10 career tries. The veteran began by tossing a 17-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen, and although the wideout dropped a pass that was then intercepted shortly afterward, Cousins went back to him for the game-winning, six-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter. In doing so, Cousins brought his season tally to 17 touchdowns -- nine of which have gone to Thielen -- and is now gifted with a Week 11 matchup against a Cowboys secondary that's allowed the second-most passing scores this season.

Dalton (concussion/illness) has cleared the concussion protocol, and the Cowboys activated him from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Nick Eatman of the team's official site reports.

Dalton picked up a concussion Oct. 25 when he took a massive hit while sliding at Washington. A little more than a week later, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on the Tuesday before a Sunday, Nov. 8 matchup with the Steelers. The result was back-to-back DNPs before the Cowboys' Week 10 bye, a span in which Ben DiNucci and then Garrett Gilbert acted as the team's starting QB. On Monday, coach Mike McCarthy said, "He was cleared to participate in practice. ... We had a mock game type of practice. And he was a full participant." While McCarthy wouldn't name a starter, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones previously noted Dalton will be under center when he's healthy. It only seems a matter of time before one of Jones, McCarthy or owner/GM Jerry Jones makes it official.

Dalton (concussion/illness) practiced fully Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With that, the QB is on track to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of Sunday's game against the Vikings. With regard to Dalton starting that game, coach Mike McCarthy noted Monday that Dalton "looked good today. We'll take it one day at a time," Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports. Dalton last suited up Week 7.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday that he won't reveal a starting quarterback until later in the week following news that Drew Brees (ribs) is out 2-to-3 weeks, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

It's a two-man race between Winston and Taysom Hill, and both quarterbacks likely will handle first-team reps in practice this week before Payton names a starter. Winston was mediocre in place of Brees in Sunday's win over San Francisco; he completed six of 10 passes for 63 yards. Hill was up to his usual tricks, piling up 45 yards on eight carries but didn't attempt a pass. This Sunday's matchup against the Falcons' last-ranked pass defense would be an ideal opportunity for Winston to showcase his skills for the Saints and other teams who could be interested in his services next season, and he'll be an intriguing fantasy streamer if that's the case.