NFL Player News

Bradford (knee) isn't at Friday's practice and is unlikely to play in Sunday's game against the Packers, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Bradford hasn't practiced all week after suffering a setback in Monday's 20-17 win over the Bears. He'll likely be ruled out on the final injury report Friday afternoon.

Mariota (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in the Titans' practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports. "He did more [Thursday]," coach Mike Mularkey said of Mariota after practice. "And I think it was positive, what he did. We'll just have to see how it feels [Friday]. But he did a little bit more than (Wednesday)...He threw some balls, and did some more."

Despite not being cleared for all drills, Mariota apparently increased his activities relative to what he was able to do during the team's unofficial practice Wednesday. Mularkey noted that he wants to see Mariota do a little more over the next couple of days before declaring him good to go for the Monday night matchup with the Colts, with the quarterback's mobility the team's main concern at this point. While Mariota missed his first game of the season in the Week 5 loss to the Dolphins, veteran Matt Cassel started in his stead and completed 21 of 32 passes for 141 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions, but was sacked six times.

Carr (back) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Though Carr was limited in practice for the second straight day, there's been no indication that he's experienced any complications with the transverse process fracture that prevented him from suiting up in the Week 5 loss to the Ravens. Per Vic Tafur of The Athletic Bay Area, Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing said he was "pleased" with how Carr has performed in practice the last two days, adding further fuel to the belief that the two-time Pro Bowler will be back under center Sunday against the Chargers. More information on that front should arrive following the Raiders' final practice of the week Friday.

Bradford (knee) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The absence marks Bradford's second in a row after aggravating the bone bruise in his left knee Monday in Chicago. In a post-practice media session Thursday, head coach Mike Zimmer wouldn't comment on Bradford's status, lending credence to the fact the quarterback is unlikely to suit up Sunday against the Packers. If Bradford is deemed inactive for the fourth time in five games this weekend, the Vikings will again trust in Case Keenum to direct the offense.

Bradford (knee) wasn't on the field for the beginning of Thursday's practice and wasn't expected to participate in the session, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Vikings should relay later Thursday if Bradford was involved in practice in any capacity, but if the quarterback was in fact unavailable for the second straight session, his odds of playing Sunday against the Packers would take a hit. Bradford was visibly limited by the knee injury during his return from a three-game hiatus in Monday's win over the Bears, but was pulled just before halftime after aggravating the left knee injury. Case Keenum performed superbly over the final two quarters and looks on track to make his fourth start of the season in Week 6.

Carr (back) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Per Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News, Carr said Wednesday that he expects to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, which jibes with what coach Jack Del Rio said Monday. The quarterback even suggested that he might have played in last Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Ravens if it were his decision, hinting that the Oakland coaches and/or the team's medical stuff didn't give him clearance. While Carr's optimism is a good sign, there will still be doubt surrounding his Week 6 availability if he doesn't log a full practice by the end of the week. He was a limited practice participant all last week and was listed as questionable on the final injury report. Of course, a quick return likely would put him at greater risk of aggravating the transverse process fracture in his back.

While Mariota (hamstring) has expressed some confidence that he'll be able to play Monday against the Colts, he acknowledged Wednesday that he's still taking it "day-by-day," Jason Wolf of The Tennessean reports.

With that in mind, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site relays that Titans head coach Mike Mularkey noted that the quarterback is doing more at this stage than he did last week. That said, Mariota still has to prove that he can move around well enough to draw the Monday starting assignment.

Stafford (ankle) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Per Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Stafford was clearly favoring his right leg at Wednesday's practice, but his throwing power and accuracy nonetheless appeared to be intact. The veteran quarterback may have limited mobility Sunday in New Orleans, but it seems only a major setback at practice could actually threaten his availability for the game. In addition to the favorable matchup, Stafford may benefit from the potential return of No. 3 receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring), who was back at practice Wednesday as a limited participant.

Bradford (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Bradford returned from a three-game absence for Monday's 20-17 win over the Bears, only to be removed at halftime after aggravating his knee during a brutal first half in which his sack yards (35) nearly matched his passing yards (36). Although an MRI on Tuesday failed to reveal additional damage, it's clear Bradford's bone bruise is far from being fully healed. He seems like a long shot to play in Sunday's game against the Packers, though Vikings brass has thus far stopped shy of acknowledging as much. Bradford previously admitted that his knee may not get back to 100 percent until the offseason, potentially opening the door for Case Keenum or Teddy Bridgewater (knee) to take over the starting gig for the rest of the year. Bridgewater could resume practicing as soon as next week.

Orlovsky submitted a blog post at SportsSpectrum.com on Wednesday indicating that he has decided to retire from professional football.

After failing to win a backup gig with the Rams during training camp, Orlovsky became a free agent and was unable to drum up much interest elsewhere, which likely influenced his decision to step away from the game. The 34-year-old was a veteran of 12 NFL seasons, but only made 23 career appearances over five campaigns, splitting time with the Lions, Colts and Buccaneers.