NFL Player News

Stidham is expected to start at quarterback for the Patriots in Monday's game against the Broncos if Cam Newton (illness) isn't cleared to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of the contest, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.

Newton is believed to be asymptomatic since testing positive for the coronavirus Oct. 3 and has been participating in the Patriots' Zoom meetings this week, but at this point, he's uncertain to clear all COVID-19-related protocols prior to Monday's game. If Newton is sidelined for a second straight game, the Patriots appear inclined to turn to Stidham rather than Brian Hoyer, who started in last week's 26-10 loss to the Chiefs. Hoyer (15 for 24 for 130 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a lost fumble) struggled to move the offense before he was pulled in the third quarter in favor Stidham, who proceeded to throw a touchdown pass to N'Keal Harry before being picked off on two occasions in the fourth quarter. Stidham's showing appears to have been encouraging enough to move him ahead of Hoyer in the pecking order, but the former would still probably rank as a low-end option in two-quarterback leagues if Newton is forced to miss time.

Coach Vic Fangio indicated Friday that Lock (right shoulder) has a chance to play in Monday's game against the Patriots, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Fangio wants to see how the quarterback progresses leading up to game time, but the extra day of preparation afforded by the Broncos' Week 5 game being moved back from Sunday to Monday is helpful in that regard. If, however, the team decides to play it safe with Lock, Brett Rypien would receive a second straight start versus New England.

Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Friday that Jackson (knee/illness) is "good to go" for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

After the quarterback felt some soreness in his knee Wednesday, the Ravens decided that the best course of action was for him to take a rest day. On Thursday, Jackson was sidelined again, this time due to a stomach illness. Neither the ailment nor the knee issue kept him off the field Friday, however, prompting the Ravens to deem the star quarterback 100 percent heading into the weekend. Jackson looks like a strong Week 5 fantasy option, taking on a beatable Bengals defense that has allowed an average of 243.0 passing yards and 158.5 rushing yards per game to date.

Jackson (knee/illness) was seen participating at Friday's practice with no apparent limitations, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old sat out practice the past two days while battling an illness and a minor knee issue, but his presence on the field Friday offers reassurance about his availability for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Jackson wasn't seen with a knee brace, which confirms the minor nature of the injury. It's still unclear if he'll be able to completely avoid an injury designation heading into the weekend, but there seems to be little doubt about Jackson's status for the divisional game.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that he expects Garoppolo (ankle) to start Sunday against the Dolphins if he successfully makes it through Friday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The 28-year-old practiced as a limited participant the past two days and is on track to return from the two-game absence if he can avoid a setback during Friday's session. Garoppolo's status will receive more clarity when the 49ers release their final official injury report of Week 5 later in the day.

Tannehill and the Titans are now reportedly slated to face the Bills this coming Tuesday night, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The game was originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and this reported postponement occurring as planned hinges on no further positive COVID-19 tests within the Titans organization.

Allen and the Bills are now scheduled to face the Titans on Tuesday instead of Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The game will only be played this week if there are no more positive tests among the Titans, who have still yet to open up their practice facility following numerous positive COVID-19 tests. As for Allen, at least managers still have a chance of being able to use him this week, though the game being played in Week 5 is still far from a certainty. Still, we should have a better idea of the likelihood of that happening by the time the first wave of games kicks off Sunday, pending the next few days of test results.

Jackson (knee/illness) is expected to suit up against the Bengals on Sunday despite having missed Thursday's practice due to a stomach ache, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Neither Jackson's current ailment nor the knee injury that caused him to miss Wednesday's practice are expected to be enough to seriously endanger his readiness for Sunday's game against the Bengals, though it is notable that he's now missed back-to-back practices for the first time in his young career. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes that the Ravens consider both issues to be minor, so if Jackson is at least able to upgrade to 'limited' participation Friday it'll bode well for his Week 5 availability.

Lock (right shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday, Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post reports.

While Lock is clearly moving in the right direction, coach Vic Fangio isn't quite ready to sign off on the QB returning to action in Week 4, noting that "besides just the throwing, which is the obvious evaluator, you also have to know if he's capable physically and mentally to take a hit or go to the ground." With that in mind, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News believes that Brett Rypien is trending toward starting Sunday's game against the Patriots. Added clarity on that front should arrive no later than Friday's final Week 5 injury report.

Garoppolo (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

Garoppolo appeared to participate in his second consecutive limited practice without a brace or extra padding on his right ankle, per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. The starting quarterback has one more opportunity to prove his health at practice before the 49ers tag him with an official injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. In the event that Garoppolo were forced to miss a third straight game, the team would have to decide between Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard under center for another week.