NFL Player News
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Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Seahawks' Sam Darnold: Effective in Week 4 road win
Darnold completed 18 of 26 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding one rush for 24 yards in the Seahawks' 23-20 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Seattle.
Darnold extended the strong start to his Seahawks tenure with his second straight interception-less game and third consecutive with at least one touchdown pass. The scoring toss came early, as he connected with AJ Barner for a 16-yard strike late in the first quarter. Darnold didn't start clicking with top target Jaxon Smith-Njigba until late in the third quarter, but he subsequently hit his No. 1 receiver for several key completions in the final period. The last of those came with 23 seconds remaining, a 22-yard connection that helped position Jason Myers for an eventual game-winning field goal. Darnold will head into a Week 5 home showdown against the Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 5 with a 70.0 percent completion rate, a 5:2 TD:INT and 38 rushing yards on three attempts across his first four games.
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Brock Purdy QB | SF
49ers' Brock Purdy: Progressing toward return
Coach Kyle Shanahan told KNBR on Thursday that Purdy (left shoulder/knee) is progressing toward a return to action Sunday against the Jaguars, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "I think (the toe) is feeling better each day, and if that continues he should be good on Sunday," Shanahan said.
This marks the most declarative statement from Shanahan as it pertains to Purdy's ability to return since the quarterback suffered a turf toe variant and an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder during a Week 1 win at Seattle. Purdy has ceded QB duties to backup Mac Jones (knee) the last two games, and both quarterbacks were limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Purdy and Jones may retain designations once the 49ers post their final Week 4 injury report Friday, but if Shanahan's most recent comments bear weight, it appears Purdy will be back under center this weekend.
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Mac Jones QB | SF
49ers' Mac Jones: Stays limited Thursday
Jones (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
On the heels of his second start in place of Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe) this past Sunday against the Cardinals, Jones revealed that he aggravated an existing PCL sprain in his left knee, which so far has capped his practice reps this week. Purdy himself also was limited Wednesday and Thursday, potentially setting up Friday's session to be key as coach Kyle Shanahan hones in on who will be under center Week 4 versus the Jaguars. In the aforementioned starts, Jones completed 53 of 80 passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, rushed seven times for five yards and fumbled twice (one lost).
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Brock Purdy QB | SF
49ers' Brock Purdy: Remains limited in practice
Purdy (left shoulder/toe) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Purdy continues to string together capped sessions going back to Week 3 prep, and he even handled the first QB reps during pre-practice drills Thursday, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Afterward, when asked if he'll start Sunday against the Jaguars, Purdy told Vic Tafur of The Athletic, "We'll see. I like where I'm at. I am felling a lot better." Purdy has missed the last two games due to a turf toe variant and an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, and Mac Jones, who's earned a pair of spot starts in Purdy's place, is dealing with a sprained PCL of his own. Unless coach Kyle Shanahan officially names a starter for Week 4 on Friday, the decision to roll with Purdy or Jones in Week 4 may come down to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Baker Mayfield QB | TB
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield: Stays limited Thursday
Mayfield (right biceps) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.
Mayfield maintained his activity level from one day prior and also was seen wearing a sleeve on his right throwing arm but not actually attempting passes Thursday, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Speaking on Mayfield's preparation, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard told Stroud, "Yeah, he was limited...he's in all, of course, all the meetings, all the walkthroughs, and he does such a good job of preparing already, a lot like, what [backup QB] Teddy [Bridgewater] was doing. Everybody's on the same page." There doesn't seem to be much worry about Mayfield's availability for Sunday's game against the Eagles, but who he may be throwing to is up in the air with Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to miss time and Chris Godwin (foot) still not cleared to return to action.
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Justin Fields QB | NYJ
Jets' Justin Fields: Logs full practice
Fields (concussion) practiced fully Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Though Fields was listed as a full participant in the session, he still needs to progress entirely through the NFL's concussion protocol in order to be available Monday night versus the Dolphins, per Cimini. With that in mind, prior to Thursday's practice, coach Aaron Glenn noted of the QB, "He still has to go through the whole protocol before he's totally cleared, but I like where he's at," while adding, "If he's cleared, he's the starter" against Miami.
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Cam Ward QB | TEN
Titans' Cam Ward: Upgrades to full practice
Ward (ankle/calf) upgraded to a full practice Thursday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
Ward was limited in Wednesday's session, but it appears as if it was more precautionary than anything else, and the rookie No. 1 overall pick is poised to be under center Sunday against the Texans. Ward will have a new play-caller in his ear after coach Brian Callahan gave up play-calling duties to QBs coach Bo Hardegree earlier this week.
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Jayden Daniels QB | WAS
Commanders' Jayden Daniels: Remains limited at practice
Daniels (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Daniels sat out a Week 3 win against the Raiders due to a sprained knee that he suffered during a Week 2 loss at Green Bay. He now has strung together three consecutive limited listings on injury reports stretching back to last week, but he told John Keim of ESPN.com on Wednesday that a decision on his availability for Sunday's game in Atlanta is "up to the doctors." The Commanders could make that call as soon as they post Friday's injury report, but until they do, one of Daniels or backup QB Marcus Mariota will be the options to lead the offense this weekend.
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Justin Fields QB | NYJ
Jets' Justin Fields: Slated to practice Thursday
Coach Aaron Glenn noted that Fields will practice Thursday, but he added that the QB is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
With the Jets playing Monday night against the Dolphins, Fields has an extra day to progress through the protocol ahead of Week 4 action, but his ability to practice Thursday is a good sign on that front. Meanwhile, Glenn confirmed Thursday that Fields will draw the start versus Miami (backed up by Tyrod Taylor) if he gains clearance to play.
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Tanner McKee QB | PHI
Eagles' Tanner McKee: Limited again to open Week 4
McKee (thumb) participated in practice in a limited capacity Wednesday.
McKee has now been limited in each of the Eagles' past three practice sessions dating back to last week. He's yet to be active on gameday this season but has served as the emergency third QB each of the past two weeks. McKee seems to be trending in the right direction and could be active as Jalen Hurts' backup as soon as this Sunday versus Tampa Bay.