NFL Player News

Coach Bruce Arians isn't prepared to endorse the re-signing of Winston, who's playing out the final year of his rookie contract this season, based on what he's seen from the 2015 first overall pick thus far, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I'm going to pass on that one,'' Arians said. "I'm going to wait until the end of December. There's been really, really, really good and there's been some really, really bad. I'm just going to pass until it's over and then we'll make a decision.''

Arians was asked the pointed question Wednesday with respect to Winston, whose post-2019 NFL future partly rests in the head coach's hands. To Arians' credit, he didn't mince words with respect to the ambivalence he currently possesses about his fifth-year quarterback, who's generated a shaky 22:20 TD:INT and completed just 60.2 percent of his throws during his first 12 regular-season games running the coach's aggressive downfield scheme. The Buccaneers' current in-house options outside of Winston are Blaine Gabbert (IR-shoulder) and Ryan Griffin, but only the latter is under contract for 2020.

Coach Freddie Kitchens indicated that Mayfield (hand/ribs) looked good during Thursday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Browns will reveal later Thursday whether Mayfield was a limited or full practice participant, but the latter listing seems to be more likely given that he was able to throw without incident in the portion of the session that was open to the media, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. Mayfield's right hand was still covered in a protective wrap, but he still took his normal amount of repetitions in practice, seemingly setting the stage for him to start Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Jones (ankle) was spotted in a walking boot at Thursday's practice and won't participate in the session, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.

Instead, Jones was spotted doing some core exercises on a side field under the supervision of team trainers, allowing Eli Manning to handle the first-team reps in the Giants' second practice of Week 14. With coach Pat Shurmur admitting that Jones' moderate high-ankle sprain will likely keep the rookie sidelined for Monday's contest in Philadelphia, Manning is in store to make his first start -- and on track for his first game reps of any kind -- since Week 2. Expect the Giants to officially rule Jones out for Week 14 at the conclusion of Friday's practice.

Mayfield (hand/ribs) said he plans to resume throwing Thursday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Browns added a rib injury designation to Mayfield's already bruised right hand, but a source confirmed the ribs are not broken. The second-year quarterback, who was limited during Wednesday's practice session, has not thrown a football since Sunday. Despite the injuries and his limited participation Wednesday, Mayfield is confident he'll play in this weekend's game against the Bengals. "Mama didn't raise a wuss," said Mayfield, referring to his pain tolerance. Garrett Gilbert made all the throws during Wednesday's practice and is in line to start if Mayfield is unable to go.

Coach Pat Shurmur said Wednesday that the Giants will take a "week-to-week" approach with Jones' recovery from a "moderate" right high-ankle sprain, Michael Eisen of the team's official site reports.

What was termed a sore ankle prior to the MRI he underwent earlier this week now threatens Jones' ability to suit up Monday at Philadelphia and potentially beyond that point. While the rookie signal-caller hasn't been ruled out yet for Week 14, Shurmur is preparing as if Eli Manning will be the starter. Shurmur noted Jones' sprain isn't as severe as the one suffered by Saquon Barkley earlier this season, which caused the star running back to sit out three games. Still, Jones' return to action will be determined by his rehabilitation, and when healthy, he'll resume his role as the Giants' No. 1 quarterback.

Darnold (knee/thumb) practiced fully Wednesday.

Darnold is a little banged up in advance of Sunday's game against the 3-9 Dolphins, but his full practice participation Wednesday signals that his Week 14 status isn't in doubt. The quarterback -- who had built up some positive momentum in Weeks 11 and 12 -- will thus look to bounce back from his 239-yard, zero-touchdown effort in last weekend's 22-6 loss to the previously winless Bengals,

Stafford (back/hip) didn't practice Wednesday.

Stafford hasn't practiced in any capacity over the last four weeks while contending with fractured bones in his back and is being labeled as week-to-week. The veteran signal-caller is keeping the door open on a potential late-season return, but his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Vikings are looking slim at best. With Jeff Driskel (hamstring) now on injured reserve, the Lions will roll with David Blough under center as long as Stafford is unable to go. Kyle Sloter will serve as the team's backup.

Mayfield (hand/ribs) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In addition to his previously reported hand injury -- which is being described as a contusion -- Mayfield also is listed as having a rib issue. Mayfield has yet to resume throwing since Sunday's loss to the Steelers, but he expects to receive clearance to play Week 14 against the Bengals. The quarterback acknowledged Wednesday that his availability for the weekend is largely a pain-tolerance matter.

Mayfield (hand) didn't throw passes during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

The lack of throwing activity contradicts a statement earlier Wednesday from coach Freddie Kitchens, who said Mayfield wouldn't have any limitations at practice this week. The quarterback had his right hand and thumb heavily wrapped at the beginning of Wednesday's session while Garrett Gilbert and practice squad quarterback Eric Dungey threw passes to tight ends and running backs. It remains to be seen how the Browns list Mayfield on their Wednesday injury report.

Jones isn't expected to play in Monday's game against the Eagles, as he's dealing with a high-ankle sprain of moderate severity, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.

Jones continued playing after he suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Packers, finishing with 240 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He's wearing a protective boot over the injured foot Wednesday, suggesting he's in line to miss at least one game. Eli Manning is on tap to receive his first start since Week 2 on Monday.