NFL Player News

Daniels (knee) will remain out for Sunday's game in Atlanta but is expected to return to action in the Commanders' Week 5 road matchup with the Chargers on Oct. 5, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Daniels turned in a pair of limited practices this week, but the Commanders are opting to hold the second-year signal-caller out for a second straight game while he manages a knee sprain. Though Marcus Mariota will once again start for Washington, Daniels' knee responded well to a workout Saturday, leaving the Commanders optimistic that the 24-year-old will be ready to go next week for a tough matchup with the undefeated Chargers. Whether Daniels enters the Week 5 contest with or without an injury designation will hinge on his practice activity next Wednesday through Friday.

Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters Saturday that Fields (concussion) will start against the Dolphins on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Fields was sidelined for Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers after being diagnosed with a concussion following the Jets' Week 2 loss to the Bills. Fields was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday and has cleared the league's five-step concussion protocol, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. That paves the way for the 2021 first-rounder to start in Monday's AFC East clash while Tyrod Taylor reverts to QB2 duties. Fields has opened the regular season completing 19 of 33 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown while adding 17 carries for 97 yards and two scores across two games.

Mayfield (right biceps) is expected to play Sunday against the Eagles, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Mayfield, who was limited at practice this week, is officially listed as questionable, with coach Todd Bowles having previously noted Friday that the quarterback "should be OK for Sunday." Also trending toward active status versus Philadelphia is wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle), and the duo's Week 4 status, either way, is set to be confirmed ahead of the first wave of games Sunday, with the Buccaneers kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET.

McCarthy (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Dublin, but he could get some limited work in practice next week ahead of Minnesota's Week 5 game in London against the Browns, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Though McCarthy may take some on-field reps next week, head coach Kevin O'Connell has suggested that the second-year signal-caller will need to turn in a full week of full practices before being cleared to play. As a result, McCarthy appears likely to miss a third straight game in Week 5 before potentially returning to action following a Week 6 bye. Carson Wentz should continue to direct the Minnesota offense in McCarthy's absence.

Jones (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Jaguars, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Jones emerged from a second consecutive start in place of Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe) this past Sunday against the Cardinals with a sprained PCL in his left knee. It limited Jones in practice Wednesday and Thursday, and his status now is up in the air ahead of Week 4 action. Coach Kyle Shanahan already told Wagoner that Purdy will start this weekend, so Jones will be the No. 2 QB, assuming he's active.

Purdy (left shoulder/toe) doesn't have a designation for and will start Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Purdy hasn't played since Week 1 due to a turf toe variant and an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, but he'll officially retake the reins of the 49ers offense from backup Mac Jones (knee). In his return to the lineup, Purdy will be taking on a Jacksonville pass defense that has allowed 209.3 yards per game (17th in the NFL).

Fields (concussion) practiced fully Friday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Back-to-back full sessions have Fields trending toward a return to the lineup Monday night against the Dolphins, following a one-game absence. Saturday's final injury report will reveal whether the QB carries a Week 4 injury designation, but coach Aaron Glenn has already confirmed that if Fields is medically cleared (by progressing entirely through the NFL's concussion protocol), he will draw the start versus Miami.

McKee (thumb) was a full participant at practice Friday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

McKee will be back in his role as the primary reserve option at quarterback behind Jalen Hurts in Week 4. McKee had served as the team's emergency third QB each of the last two weeks while nursing a thumb injury.

Mariota will start Sunday's game at Atlanta.

Mariota completed 15 of 21 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in last Sunday's 41-24 win over the Raiders, adding 40 rushing yards and a TD on six carries. He seems comfortable in Kliff Kingsbury's offense and still moves well at age 31, making him far more useful for fantasy than a typical backup QB that's filling in for an injured starter. Mariota will face one of his former teams this Sunday, after Jayden Daniels (knee) missed Friday's practice and was ruled out not long after.

Daniels (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

Marcus Mariota will make a second straight start, after leading the Commanders to an easy win over the Raiders last week. Daniels was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, but reporters didn't spot him at Friday's session. Earlier in the week, Daniels said he thought he could play but wasn't sure if the Commanders' medical staff would let him. His next chance will be the following Sunday, Oct. 5 in a road matchup with the Chargers.