NFL Player News

Driskel could be in store for additional starts beyond Sunday's game against the Cowboys after doctors recently informed Matthew Stafford that the fractured bones in his back will require a six-week recovery timeline, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

After completing 27 of 46 passes for 269 yards, a touchdown and an interception and scrambling for 37 yards in the 20-13 loss to the Bears in Week 10, Driskel will garner a second straight start this weekend in place of the injured Stafford. Though Stafford has shown an ability to play effectively through various injuries in the past, his latest setback on the health front appears more significant than anything he's dealt with before. Stafford surely will attempt to push for a return before the recommended six weeks, but the decision won't entirely be in his hands, especially if the 3-5-1 Lions begin to fade further from the playoff picture. Driskel at least should be on the radar in leagues that start two quarterbacks for the duration of Stafford's absence.

The fractured bones in Stafford's back may be a six-week injury, Adam Schefter reports.

That's not to say Stafford will sit out Sunday, plus the Lions' next four games, to reach the aforementioned threshold. Instead, he appears to be dealing with a fairly severe health concern. His return timetable has been unclear since the team discovered the broken bones in his back one day prior to his absence Week 10 at Chicago, ending his starting streak at 136 games. As long as Stafford is sidelined, Jeff Driskel will direct Detroit's offense.

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.