NFL Player News

Smith suffered a quad contusion in Thursday's 10-7 loss to the Broncos, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Smith played through the injury for most of the fourth quarter, but he drew a questionable tag in the final minutes of the game and was spotted with his quad area wrapped on the bench. He'll now have 10 days to recover before a Week 11 matchup against the Cowboys, and there doesn't appear to be concern about his availability for that matchup for the time being.

Nix completed 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions while rushing five times for minus-2 yards in the Broncos' 10-7 win over the Raiders on Thursday night.

Nix's final line wasn't aesthetically pleasing by any stretch, but the second-year signal-caller did just enough to help his team to its eighth victory in 10 games. Nix connected with Troy Franklin on a tight-window seven-yard touchdown pass late in the first half to erase an early 7-0 deficit, and his second interception, which could have had disastrous consequences, also came on a pass intended for Franklin that bounced off the receiver's hands at the Broncos' 45-yard line just after the halfway point of the fourth quarter. Daniel Carlson would go on to miss a game-tying field goal on the Raiders' ensuing possession, and Nix subsequently led a 10-play, 47-yard drive that allowed Denver to run out the clock. Nix has just a 4:4 TD:INT over his last three games, and he'll have a tougher matchup on tap on Sunday, Nov. 16 when the Broncos host the Chiefs in a Week 11 divisional showdown.

Smith is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Broncos with a quad injury.

Smith has been under constant pressure throughout the game, but this injury occurred early in the fourth quarter on a scramble. After a two-play absence, he returned to the field but was visibly limping and in discomfort. Smith is officially questionable, but he was seen on the bench with his upper left leg wrapped and without a helmet.

Smith is back in Thursday's game against the Broncos after being evaluated for an apparent knee injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Smith was injured on a scramble early in the fourth quarter. He missed two plays but was ultimately cleared to return and is back under center for the Raiders.

Smith is being examined in the medical tent after suffering an apparent knee injury in Thursday's game against the Broncos, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Smith tried to scramble early in the fourth quarter and was tripped up on a tackle around his knee. He was able to walk off the field with a limp and was pointing to his knee. Kenny Pickett is taking over under center for the Raiders for the time being.

Purdy (toe) remained limited at Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

GM John Lynch told KNBR San Francisco on Thursday morning that Purdy is handling more and more work on a weekly basis as he seeks his first game action since Week 4 due to a turf toe injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan then relayed on KNBR on Thursday afternoon that Purdy is drawing closer to a return, and the 49ers ultimately will make a decision on that front Friday. It's unclear if Purdy will start Sunday against the Rams if he's cleared, but Shanahan consistently has been naming the starter between Purdy and Mac Jones when the team's final injury report needs to be posted, so that at least should become known sooner than later.

Sanders (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Sanders remained limited in practice Wednesday, but he appears to have now returned to full health ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Jets. As such, Sanders looks on track to operate as the No. 2 quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel in Week 10, while Bailey Zappe remains on hand for the No. 3 role. Sanders had been inactive for Cleveland's loss to the Patriots in Week 8 due to back tightness.

Gabriel will be hearing the voice of first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees calling plays this week against the Jets, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski gave up play-calling duties for a second straight season, citing a need to create explosive plays and fix trouble areas. And there are many areas that need fixing. Beyond a rotating cast of starters on the offensive line, Gabriel has been limited to mostly short passes by an unexciting and unproductive group of wide receivers. The rookie quarterback told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal that he hasn't noticed much change in the day-to-day operations since Stefanski announced the switch Monday. A new play caller should not result in a radically different plan Week 10, when the Browns face the league's 26th-ranked rush defense (135.8 ypg). Look for Rees to establish the run with Quinshon Judkins and keep Gabriel out of difficult third-down situations.

O'Connell (wrist) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

O'Connell has been a full practice participant since his 21-day practice window opened Oct. 29, but the third-year pro is not quite ready to be activated from injured reserve. O'Connell is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured right wrist that he sustained during the preseason, but with the Raiders on a bye Week 11, he has a good shot at being available for Week 12 against the Cowboys on Monday, Nov. 17. Kenny Pickett will continue to serve as the Raiders' backup quarterback behind starter Geno Smith for as long as O'Connell is sidelined.

Taylor (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Taylor had been in contention to replace Justin Fields under center and start Week 8 versus the Bengals, but he was instead ruled out due to a knee injury. That paved the way for Fields to log his best performance of the season in the 39-38 win, potentially reaffirming his grip on the starting job. That said, head coach Aaron Glenn has yet to confirm a No. 1 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Browns, as he was noncommittal about Fields entering the Week 9 bye. It shouldn't be long before Glenn provides further clarification.