NFL Player News

DiNucci (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's game versus Pittsburgh, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The rookie seventh-round pick received the start last week but wasn't even in the conversation to start again Week 9 with Andy Dalton (concussion) testing positive for COVID-19. DiNucci completed 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards with zero touchdowns and two interception. Garrett Gilbert will start at quarterback Sunday, while Cooper Rush was elevated from the practice squad to serve as the backup.

The initial diagnosis is that Allen suffered a dislocated ankle Sunday against the Giants, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per Pelissero, the QB's injury includes a small fracture. Assuming that diagnosis is confirmed, Allen will be in line to miss time. In that case, Washington's options to replace him in the coming weeks will be Alex Smith -- who took over for Allen on Sunday -- and Dwayne Haskins.

Allen won't return to Sunday's game against the Giants due to a left ankle injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Allen was rolled up on when he was sacked by Jabrill Peppers late in the first quarter, with the latter incurring an unnecessary roughness penalty on the play. The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but Allen will finish the day 5-for-7 passing for 62 yards. Alex Smith has entered in Allen's stead and will have to finish the contest because second-year QB Dwayne Haskins was a healthy scratch.

Luton will start the first game of his NFL career Sunday against the Texans, John Oehser of the Jaguars' official site reports.

The rookie sixth-round pick was a healthy scratch for the first seven games of the season while Mike Glennon served as Jacksonville's backup quarterback, but he'll receive his first NFL opportunity Sunday with starter Gardner Minshew (thumb) sidelined. Luton completed 62 percent of his passes for 2.714 yards, 28 touchdowns and three interceptions during his final collegiate season at Oregon State, but he has yet to play any professional football with no preseason games this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team was reportedly mulling a quarterback change before Minshew's injury was made public, so a strong debut from Luton could secure a longer look in the starting role.

Walker (coach's decision) won't suit up in Sunday's game against the Chiefs, David Newton of ESPN reports.

Walker had handled backup duties for the past three games behind Teddy Bridgewater, even seeing action in Week 8 after Bridgewater got hurt. Part of the reason Walker was active was his flexibility to play running back and receiver while Christian McCaffrey was hurt. Now that CMC is back in the lineup, Walker will shift backup duties to Will Grier for Sunday's contest.

Grier will serve as the team's backup quarterback for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, David Newton of ESPN reports.

Former XFL star P.J. Walker had taken backup duties from Grier the past three games, even playing in a game against the Falcons with Teddy Bridgewater injured. Grier will likely hold onto the No. 2 role barring any injuries or setbacks, as the West Viriginia product will add insurance at quarterback in case Bridgewater goes down again.

The Browns placed Mayfield on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday after he came into close contact with a staff member that tested positive for the coronavirus.

Fortunately for Mayfield and the Browns, the quarterback is currently COVID-19 negative, and his placement on the list comes during a bye week. Mayfield will immediately self-isolate, and assuming he continues to test negative, he could be cleared to rejoin the Browns for their first Week 10 practice Wednesday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Case Keenum is the next man up at quarterback in the event Mayfield can't gain clearance prior to the Browns' next game Nov. 15 versus the Texans.

Stafford will start Sunday's game against the Vikings after testing negative for COVID-19 earlier in the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Stafford landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after recently coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, resulting in him in missing the Lions' entire week of practices while in self-isolation. The quarterback has continued to test negative since landing on the list, and he was still able to participate in virtual meetings with the Lions this week even though he wasn't at the practice facility. After being activated from the list Saturday and flying separate from the team to Minneapolis, Stafford is now able to rejoin the team after testing negative one final time. The lack of on-field prep time leading up to Sunday's game is less than ideal for Stafford, but he should make for a serviceable fantasy option while facing off against a suspect Minnesota pass defense that's missing three of its top four cornerbacks (Cameron Dantzler, Holton Hill and Mike Hughes).

Stafford must pass a final round of COVID-19 testing before Sunday morning being cleared to play in the Lions' game against Minnesota, which begins at 1 p.m. ET, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 32-year-old was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday after landing on the list earlier in the week, but he's still awaiting full clearance to play Week 9. A negative test result Sunday morning would allow him to return without missing a game. Chase Daniel lines up to start for the Lions in the off chance Stafford is unavailable for the divisional matchup.

Stafford was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.

It's worth reiterating Stafford still must pass one more round of tests to be able to play Sunday, but all signs seem to be pointing in a positive direction. Expect results regarding the final COVID-19 test to come sometime Sunday morning, which could potentially make the veteran quarterback eligible to start in the divisional matchup against the Vikings.