NFL Player News

New York ruled Darnold (shoulder) out for Sunday's game in Miami, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

The news was fully expected after head coach Adam Gase said earlier Wednesday that Joe Flacco would draw a second straight start under center this weekend. Darnold, who didn't practice Wednesday, still needs more time to recover from his sprained throwing shoulder, an injury he sustained in the Jets' Oct. 1 loss to the Broncos. The Jets remain optimistic that Darnold will be ready to reclaim starting duties in the team's Week 7 game versus the Bills on Oct. 25.

Garoppolo (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

As anticipated, Garoppolo faced no restrictions in the 49ers' first session of Week 6, just as head coach Kyle Shanahan predicted earlier in the day. Just a few days removed from playing his first half of football since Week 2, Garoppolo appears as if he'll be able to handle every rep this coming Sunday against the Rams. Still, with a meager performance in an ugly Week 5 loss to the Dolphins -- 7-for-17 passing for 77 yards and two interceptions -- he'll be attempting to right the ship against L.A.'s tough pass defense.

Hoyer is slated return to the No. 2 or 3 quarterback role for the Patriots' Week 6 game against the Broncos after starter Cam Newton, was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Even if Newton wasn't cleared for Week 6, Hoyer wasn't expected to start Sunday anyway, with Jarrett Stidham likely to have drawn the assignment. After flopping in his turn as a starter in place of Newton in the Patriots' Week 4 loss to the Broncos, Hoyer could be a healthy inactive moving forward if head coach Bill Belichick elects to roll with Stidham as the top backup quarterback.

Stidham is expected to remain in a backup role for the Patriots' Week 6 game against the Broncos after Cam Newton was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

With that, Newton is in line to start Sunday, leaving either Stidham or Brian Hoyer to dress as the No. 2 quarterback. Though he was inactive for New England's first three games, Stidham may have moved ahead of Hoyer on the depth chart after the latter struggled mightily while starting in place of Newton in the Patriots' Week 4 loss to the Chiefs. Hoyer completed 15 of 24 attempts for 130 yards and an interception before being removed from the game late in the third quarter in favor of Stidham.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said he expects Garoppolo (ankle) to be a full practice participant Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Garoppolo returned to action in last Sunday's loss to the Dolphins for the first time since Week 2, but his high right ankle sprain didn't allow him to finish the contest. When Garoppolo stepped aside at halftime, Shanahan noted he wanted to "protect" the quarterback, which may have been cover for his brutal performance to that point in the game (7-for-17 passing for 77 yards and two interceptions). Assuming he practices in full Wednesday and maintains said status through the end of the week, Garoppolo will have his hands full this weekend versus the Rams' second-ranked pass defense.

Lock (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Lock missed Denver's last two games due to a strained shoulder, but his ability to practice in full to begin Week 6 puts him in position to reclaim starting duties Sunday against the Patriots. According to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic, head coach Vic Fangio has yet to announce that Lock will be fit to start this weekend, but that should merely be a formality if he's able to continue practicing fully Thursday and Friday.

Allen (arm) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Allen received medical clearance and proceeded to practice without limitation. His first start of the year was cut short after he took a hard hit to the arm, but he should be back in the lineup for Week 6 against the Giants. Coach Ron Rivera confirmed after Sunday's loss that he still views Allen as the starter, ahead of both Alex Smith and Dwayne Haskins (illness). Of course, Allen is probably just one or two bad games away from losing the job.

Darnold (shoulder) isn't expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

While the Jets haven't officially ruled Darnold out for Week 6, Cimini notes that the team is preparing Joe Flacco to make a second consecutive start behind center. Darnold previously hinted in an interview Monday that he might not be ready to play this week, noting that while his sprained right shoulder was "feeling a lot better" overall, he's still experiencing pain. Assuming Darnold shows enough improvement after another game off to recuperate, he should be ready to reclaim starting duties for the Jets' Week 7 game against the Bills. Whenever he returns, Darnold will have to make do without three-down back Le'Veon Bell, who the team released Tuesday after failing to work out a trade.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said that Mayfield (ribs) will be limited at practice Wednesday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Mayfield acknowledged earlier in the day that he's still feeling sore after taking a hit in the Browns' Week 5 win over the Colts. The Browns will restrict his practice reps to begin the week as a result, but the quarterback has indicated that he's confident he'll play Sunday against the Steelers.

Mayfield (ribs) said he was unsure if he would practice Wednesday, but the quarterback remains confident that he'll play Sunday against the Steelers, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Mayfield acknowledged Wednesday that his "whole right side" is sore heading into Week 6, according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. While Mayfield is clearly feeling the effects of a hit he sustained in the Browns' Week 5 win over the Colts and figures to have his practice reps impacted as a result, he appears prepared to play through aches and pains Sunday.