NFL Player News

Lock (thumb) has replaced his hard cast with a removable brace, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Since Lock is on injured reserve, he still won't be able to return to the lineup until Week 8. It appears Lock is on the right track if the Broncos choose to bring him back, but that's still not guaranteed. They have backup Brandon Allen, who has zero career passing attempts in three years, on the roster, and it also depends on how Joe Flacco is playing at the time. If Flacco and the Broncos are struggling, however, the team may want to try out their rookie second-round pick under center.

Mahomes indicated that his ankle is feeling better with each passing day and said he plans to take his normal allotment of practice reps Wednesday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

It remains to be seen if Mahomes will be listed as a full or limited practice participant Wednesday on the Chiefs' official report, but there's nothing to suggest that the quarterback's availability for Sunday's game against the Raiders is any danger.

Mahomes (ankle) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mahomes suffered an ankle sprain during the first half of Sunday's win over the Jaguars, but he played through the issue without missing a snap en route to amassing 378 yards and three touchdowns through the air. All signs point to Mahomes suiting up this weekend against the Raiders, though it's still worth keeping an eye on his activity in practice over the next two days.

Darnold won't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Per Greenberg, coach Adam Gase said Darnold was sent home from the Jets' facility after dealing with strep throat, but the team believes the quarterback will be ready to go by the time Monday's game against the Browns arrives. Darnold had a lackluster showing in the Jets' 17-16 loss to the Bills in Week 1, completing 28 of his 41 passes for only 4.3 yards per attempt and one touchdown.

The Texans promoted McGough to the 53-man roster Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

While there's speculation this is due to Deshaun Watson being roughed up by the Saints in the season opener, Pelissero emphasized that this move was in the works beforehand since the Jaguars showed interest in McGough after Nick Foles broke his collarbone. McGough will likely be a healthy inactive for most games because AJ McCarron is handling the backup duties.

Gabbert (shoulder) didn't participate in Tuesday's practice.

This is the second straight day Gabbert has missed practice, and it's becoming increasingly unlikely he plays in Thursday's game versus the Panthers. Ryan Griffin will back up Jameis Winston if Gabbert can't go.

Mayfield was spotted throwing Tuesday at the Browns' practice session and wasn't sporting any protection on his bruised right wrist, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

With the Browns playing a Monday night game versus the Jets in Week 2, the team will alter its practice schedule. Cleveland will hold a session Tuesday before taking Wednesday off, and Mayfield's presence on the field just two days after suffering the wrist injury suggests he's in little danger of missing the matchup with the Jets. The signal-caller endured a rough season debut in the 43-13 loss to the Titans over the weekend, but the stellar form he displayed late in his rookie campaign should offer optimism that his inefficient showing in Week 1 was merely a blip on the radar.

Carr completed 22 of 26 attempts for 259 passing yards and one touchdown, while adding two rushes for two yards during Monday's 24-16 win against Denver.

Carr connected on his first nine passes of the night, while leading 10 and 13-play touchdown drives on two of Oakland's first three offensive possessions. What's most encouraging for fantasy purposes is the re-appearance of Carr's downfield explosiveness. The 28-year-old signal-caller averaged 10 yards per pass attempt against the Broncos defense Monday night, a feat he had not accomplished since Week 12 of the 2017 season when Oakland went up against -- guess who -- Denver. Carr's upcoming matchup against Kansas City has potential to be profitable, as the Chiefs allowed Nick Foles (collarbone) and rookie Gardner Minshew to combine for 350 passing yards and three passing touchdowns Week 1.

Watson completed 20 of 30 attempts for 268 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Monday night's 30-28 loss to the Saints. He also rushed four times for 40 yards and another score.

Watson put together a gutsy performance to begin his third season, as he opened the scoring with a 21-yard touchdown run on fourth down to start the second quarter. However, on that play, Watson appeared to land on his back after making a diving effort across the goal line. That resulted in him visiting the Texans' medical tent on a couple occasions afterward. Nonetheless, Watson didn't miss a snap, and despite being sacked six times, he delivered a pair of touchdowns to top wideout DeAndre Hopkins. He then displayed his flair for the dramatic by going for 75 yards on two plays on Houston's final offensive drive, which he capped with a 37-yard, go-ahead touchdown dart to Kenny Stills with under a minute remaining. Although his team ultimately didn't get the win, Watson certainly showed his toughness and talent in another impressive outing.

Watson went to the sideline medical tent near the end of the first half of Monday's game at New Orleans, Will Brinson of CBS Sports reports.

Watson actually did the same thing after scoring a rushing touchdown earlier in the second quarter, but he returned to the field and manned the Texans offense on a 16-play drive that gobbled up 7:35 off the play clock en route to another TD. Upon returning to the sideline, he entered the tent again, after which Lisa Salters said on the ESPN broadcast, "It appears his back is bothering him." Whatever Watson is dealing with, he's played through it so far and will have halftime to receive additional treatment.