NFL Player News

Hoyer (forearm) will not return to Thursday's contest against the Packers.

Hoyer left early on in Thursday's game and was taken directly to the locker room for x-rays. The specifics of his injury have not yet been disclosed but with him out Matt Barkley is the only active quarterback for Chicago. Hoyer finished with 49 yards on 4 of 11 passing.

Hoyer was forced to leave Thursday's game against the Packers due to an arm injury, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN reports.

Hoyer was hit by Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers early in the second quarter of Thursday's game and was immediately taken to the locker room with trainers holding his left forearm. It remains unclear what the specifics of the injury are and his return is in question. Matt Barkley will fill in for Hoyer in the meantime.

Smith was officially named the Jets' starting quarterback by head coach Todd Bowles on Wednesday.

Smith replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick in Monday's game against the Cardinals after throwing yet another red-zone interception, and while Smith was also picked off in his limited playing time, Fitzpatrick's struggles over the course of the season have landed him on the no. 2 spot on the depth chart. Smith was a fairly weak fantasy option when he was the starter a few years ago, and with Brandon Marshall his only established wideout, it's tough to see a fantasy breakout happening anytime soon.

Heinicke (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday after a lengthy recovery stemming from July foot surgery, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune reports.

Heinicke has a three-week window for the Vikings to either activate him from the reserve/NFI list, waive him, or send him to IR. If he's activated he'll likely serve as the No. 3 option at quarterback behind starter Sam Bradford and veteran backup Shaun Hill.

The Jets are expected to name Smith their starting quarterback Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

It's not clear if this is a short-term or long-term plan, and the move will not be official until confirmed by either the Jets or head coach Todd Bowles, but it appears Smith is set to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick as the team's primary quarterback.

Prescott will start in Week 8 against the Eagles following the Cowboys' bye week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.

The Cowboys have not committed to Prescott starting the rest of the season, but fellow quarterback Tony Romo is not expected to be ready to play until Week 9 at the earliest, so Prescott will get at least one more start coming out of the Cowboys' off week. The team has little reason to push Romo given Prescott's performance so far, and figures to wait on making a call as to who starts when Romo is finally back to full health.

Head coach Todd Bowles may be considering a switch of signal-callers for Sunday's game versus the Ravens, Rich CImini of ESPN.com reports. "I did re-visit [the situation between Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith]," Bowles said Tuesday.

Down 21-3 late in the third quarter and in the red zone, Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed a back-breaking interception and was replaced by Geno Smith on the Jets' ensuing drive. Smith fared OK, completing four of six passes for 31 yards, but his final attempt was picked off by the Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu. Afterward, Bowles merely referred to Smith as a "relief" option, but his state of mind has seemingly been altered following the return trip to the east coast. Before a decision between Fitzpatrick and Smith is made, Bowles will touch base with the coaching staff and general manager Mike Maccagnan.

Smith will continue to be the backup quarterback despite coming on for Ryan Fitzpatrick during Monday's loss to the Cardinals, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Fitzpatrick threw a red-zone interception at the end of the third quarter with the Jets losing 21-3, though Smith wasn't all that much better, completing four of six passes for 31 yards while also throwing an interception. Smith was never a reliable fantasy option when he was the starter, which is why the Jets will continue to roll with Fitzpatrick under center.

Heinicke (ankle) is ready to return to practice, TwinCities.com reports.

Heinicke severed a tendon in his left foot during a freak home accident over the offseason and was placed on the Vikings' NFI list to begin the year. Now eligible to resume practicing, Heinicke will reportedly be back on the field Wednesday.

Prescott completed 18 of 27 passes for 247 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's game against the Packers. He also lost a fumble in the 30-16 win.

In a difficult road environment, Prescott was able to complete 67 percent of his passes and threw for three scores for the first time in his young career. He connected with Cole Beasley for a couple of well-executed short scores, and threw a 20-yard strike to Brice Butler for the other. Prescott lost a fumble for the second straight game and threw his first career interception deep in his own end, but he showed no lack for confidence thereafter and led his team to what was perhaps its most impressive victory yet. The INT, incidentally, came too late to stop Prescott from breaking Tom Brady's NFL record for passing attempts without a pick to begin a career. Tony Romo (back) is nearing full health and could return shortly after the bye next week, but the team's outstanding performance with Prescott at the helm could present the organization's brass with a difficult decision, despite the fact that they had previously indicated the veteran would retain his starting job.