NFL Player News

Winston was pulled from Sunday's game in Cincinnati in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick, but not before completing 18 of 35 passes for 276 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

Coach Dirk Koetter made the decision after Winston's fourth pick was returned to the house by Bengals safety Jessie Bates late in the third quarter. In four games since taking over for Fitzpatrick in Week 4, Winston racked up 1,181 yards and four touchdown passes, but his performances were turnover-laden. Overall, Winston has 10 interceptions and four fumbles (one lost). While this move may only be temporary, Koetter will have a tough call to make between Winston and Fitzpatrick in the coming days, especially with the trade deadline imminent (Tuesday at 4 PM ET).

Carr was recently informed by the Raiders that the organization views him as their quarterback now and for the foreseeable future and has no intention of trading him, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports, citing sources.

Schefter's report affirms what coach Jon Gruden relayed to the media earlier in the week, but Carr should be further encouraged by Oakland officials apparently vouching similar support behind closed doors. The Raiders have already shipped out two cornerstone players in Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper this season and could remain active as Tuesday's trade deadline approaches, but any deals the club makes won't feature Carr. In a season of juiced-up quarterback production, however, Carr still looks like a below-average option in most fantasy leagues, especially now that one of his top wideouts in Cooper is out of the mix.

Coach Adam Gase said Friday that Tannehill (shoulder) is close to resuming a throwing program, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports. "I don't want to put him in a position to where he relapses and we could do this [rehab program] all over again," Gase said.

While it sounds like Tannehill is still progressing in his recovery from the AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, Gase noted that it will be up to the quarterback to provide an honest assessment of his health before the Dolphins return him to game action. With that in mind, Wolfe notes that it may be "overly optimistic" to expect Tannehill to suit up Week 9 against the Jets, though his status for that contest will ultimately be dictated by what he's able to do in practices during the upcoming week. If Tannehill ends up being sidelined for a fourth consecutive contest, Brock Osweiler would garner another start under center.

Watson has been sacked once and hit six times over the past two games, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Texans' offensive line has improved since the start of the season. Over the first six weeks, Watson was sacked 25 times and hit a league-high 65 times, but during a stretch in which he's been dealing with chest and rib injuries, the offensive line has put the quarterback in bubble wrap. That unit was a perceived weakness heading into the season, but eight weeks later, it looks like the new pieces have come together. Not only has the O-line prevented some of the ugly hits we saw Watson absorb earlier in the year, but it's paved the way for Lamar Miller to rush for two straight 100-yard games -- the first time he's done that in three years with the Texans. Those two developments are related: the emergence of the ground game means Watson has taken fewer hits. However, it has also meant fewer passing attempts, just 44 over the last two games. But as we learned Thursday, when Watson threw for five touchdowns in 20 attempts, he can still be a valuable fantasy performer.

Garoppolo remains on crutches but is closing in on the pool stage of his rehab from a torn ACL in his left knee, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Recoveries from ACL tears have a vast range of timetables, but the only thing that Garoppolo is certain of is when he'll be able to get off crutches. He's approximately two weeks from reaching that point as he aims to follow in the footsteps of DeShaun Watson this year and be available for the 2019 regular-season opener. While Garoppolo enters the early stages of rehab, the 49ers will continue to put the ball in C.J. Beathard's hands.

Coach Sean McDermott said Allen (elbow) is week-to-week but "moving in the right direction," Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com reports.

Allen is working throw his recovery from a right elbow sprain, which has sidelined him for one game and will keep him on the inactive list Monday against the Patriots. In his stead, Derek Anderson (back/calf) will start for a second consecutive game, assuming he gets past his own injuries. The Bills don't have a reprieve until a Week 11 bye, so the preceding could be the team's reality for a few more contests.

Watson completed 16 of 20 passes for 239 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the Texans' 42-23 win over the Dolphins on Thursday. He also rushed once for 14 yards.

Watson started slowly and then just kept coming once he got rolling, amassing all five of his scores from the second quarter onward. The second-year signal caller hit Jordan Thomas for a 13-yard touchdown to snap a 7-7 tie early in the period, and he connected with the rookie again coming out of halftime from two yards away. A trio of subsequent second-half touchdown throws to Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins (twice) finished off Watson's spectacular night, giving him multiple scoring passes for the first time since Week 4 and equaling his single-game high in that category. While his overall production has taken a dip after four consecutive 300-yard passing performances between Weeks 2 and 5, Watson naturally remains an elite play in all formats heading into a Week 9 showdown against the Broncos.

Allen (elbow) isn't participating in practice Thursday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

The Bills already ruled Allen out for their Week 8 game against the Patriots three days ago, so it's not expected he'll practice Thursday through Saturday while he nurses a sprained throwing elbow. Derek Anderson will earn a second straight start Monday in Allen's stead, despite an ugly showing in his team debut in the 37-5 loss to Indianapolis in Week 7.

Carr (arm) wasn't listed on the Raiders' first injury report of the week ahead of Sunday's game against Indianapolis, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

A bye week gave Carr plenty of time to recover from a minor injury to his left arm. He's now getting acclimated to an Oakland offense without top receiver Amari Cooper, who was traded to Dallas on Monday. Carr's top remaining targets are Jared Cook, Jordy Nelson, Martavis Bryant, Jalen Richard and Seth Roberts (concussion).

Rodgers (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Michael Cohen of The Athletic reports.

After rehabbing his left knee Tuesday, Rodgers participated in the Packers' padded session Wednesday. Additionally, he was seen with a smaller brace than the one he wore most gamedays since hurting the knee in the season opener, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. With his health not in question to kick off Week 8 preparations, Rodgers will turn his focus to Sunday's matchup with the Rams, who have allowed 278 passing yards per game and nine touchdowns to quarterbacks in four games without cornerback star cornerback Aqib Talib (ankle).