NFL Player News

Gabbert (shoulder) will not return from injured reserve this season, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The confirmation regarding the backup quarterback came directly from coach Bruce Arians on Friday. Gabbert originally suffered the injury during preseason, although he wasn't placed on injured reserve until Sept. 24. Gabbert's confirmed absence the rest of the way gives the embattled Jameis Winston one less reason to look over his shoulder if his up-and-down play continues, considering the veteran signal-caller could have been a viable alternative for Arians due to his experience in the coach's offensive system.

Rudolph could be subject to a fine for his role during the brawl that ensued late in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' 21-7 loss to the Browns on Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The second-year signal-caller was the victim of the most flagrant conduct of the fight, as Browns defensive end Myles Garrett pulled Rudolph's helmet off the quarterback and then swung it at Rudolph's head. Garrett received an indefinite suspension for his actions, while Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey were handed one- and three-game suspensions, respectively. Though Rudolph avoided a suspension, the NFL will presumably review the video of the fight and determine whether the 24-year-old did anything to warrant a fine. In the meantime, Rudolph will look to move past an outing that was already an ugly one leading up to the fight. Rudolph finished the night with 23 completions on 44 attempts for 221 yards, a touchdown and a career-high four interceptions.

Coach Frank Reich confirmed Brissett (knee) will start Sunday against Jacksonville, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.

Reich noted that Brissett made it through practice this week without any major issues, enabling the signal-caller to return after a one-game absence due to sprained MCL in his left knee. While Brissett will return under center, he'll be without top target T.Y. Hilton (calf), who has been ruled out another game.

Driskel is in line to make a second consecutive start Sunday against the Cowboys after coach Matt Patricia announced that Matt Stafford (back) has been ruled out for the contest, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Stafford was unable to practice all week due to fractures in his back, making it not especially surprising that he'll miss another game. The Lions didn't hesitate to have Driskel air it out in their Week 10 loss to the Bears, but the signal-caller generally struggled to shepherd the offense, completing only 27 of 46 attempts for 269 yards (5.8 YPA), one touchdown and one interception while rushing five times for 37 yards. Driskel will get another tough assignment this weekend, taking on the Cowboys' seventh-ranked pass defense.

Coach Matt Patricia confirmed Stafford (back) won't be ready to play Sunday against the Cowboys, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "Not this Sunday, no," Patricia said, when asked about the quarterback's status.

Patricia said the team has a medical plan in place for Stafford to return, with the quarterback potentially getting back on the practice field later this month. Those comments doesn't sound overly promising for Stafford making it back in Week 12, and Week 13 might also be a challenge with the Lions working on a short schedule for Thanksgiving Day. That said, it's too early for any assumptions beyond the upcoming Sunday, when Jeff Driskel will get another start under center. The 26-year-old completed 27 of 46 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception in last week's 20-13 loss to the Bears, adding five carries for 37 yards.

Coach Matt Patricia said he doesn't anticipate Stafford (back) will play Sunday against the Cowboys, Tori Petry of the Lions' official site reports.

Reports emerged last weekend suggesting Stafford would likely miss several games, but the quarterback's history of playing through significant injuries created some hope he might avoid a multi-game absence. Patricia's comments suggest that Stafford won't be able to rally in time for Sunday, putting Jeff Driskel on track for a second straight start. The Lions will reveal Stafford's official designation later Friday following their final practice of Week 11.

Rudolph completed 23 of 44 passes for 221 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions in Pittsburgh's 21-7 loss to Cleveland Thursday night. He also ran twice for 15 yards.

Rudolph struggled early managing just 102 yards passing in the first half as the Steelers fell behind 14-0. Injuries to James Conner (shoulder), JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) and Diontae Johnson (concussion) -- all forced out of action and unable to return -- only compounded Pittsburgh's offensive woes. Forced to play from behind Rudolph attempted more passes than in any previous game and the four interceptions matched his season total. Sadly -- with the outcome of the game already decided and just eight seconds to play -- Rudolph was tackled late by Myles Garrett who then grabbed Rudolph's helmet and struck him in the head. Rudolph appeared to be unharmed but will likely be evaluated. Pittsburgh will have 10 days to determine if he can play against Cincinnati. Earlier this season -- in just his second career start -- Rudolph faced the Bengals and completed 24 of 28 passes for 229 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Now with a few more starts under his belt Rudolph should have success against a Bengals pass defense that allows the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Mayfield completed 17 of 32 passes for 193 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Browns' 21-7 win over the Steelers on Thursday. He also scored a one-yard touchdown on his only rush.

For the second time in four days and third straight game overall, Mayfield accomplished a feat that has usually proven elusive for him this season -- a mistake-free performance. The embattled second-year signal-caller wasn't exactly efficient through the air, but he was taken down only once by the typically ferocious Steelers pass rush and connected with Jarvis Landry and Stephen Carlson for one- and eight-yard touchdown passes, respectively. Mayfield also opened the scoring on the night with a one-yard touchdown sneak in the first quarter, only his second rushing score of the campaign. Mayfield now has back-to-back multi-touchdown efforts and will look to keep his solid play going in a favorable matchup against the Dolphins in Week 12, a week from Sunday.

Mahomes (kneecap) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Mahomes was as productive as ever after returning from a two-game absence due to a dislocated right kneecap in last weekend's 35-32 loss to the Titans, completing 36 of 50 attempts for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps most encouragingly, Mahomes told Adam Teicher of ESPN.com that he felt great physically coming out of the contest, a sentiment supported by the quarterback's ability to take every rep during the first practice of Week 11. With the injury behind him, Mahomes will look to improve his case for repeating as NFL MVP and aim to keep the Chiefs atop the AFC West standings when he takes on the Chargers on Monday night in Mexico City.

Stafford (hip/back) was held out of Thursday's practice, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

With back-to-back absences to kick off Week 11 prep, Stafford is trending in the wrong direction to make an appearance Sunday against the Cowboys. The Lions will hold one more session Friday, at which point they may make a decision on his availability. If Stafford misses a second straight game due to fractures in his back, he'll yield quarterback duties to Jeff Driskel.