NFL Player News

Dalton completed 21 of 27 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns, adding six carries for five yards, in Thursday's 31-10 win over the Browns.

All three touchdowns went to Tyler Eifert, who was part of a three-way time for the team lead with six targets. Dalton bounced back nicely from his first down game of the season, leading his team to 31 points on eight competitive drives. He predictably didn't get his usual volume, as the Bengals were ahead by multiple scores for most of the second half. Dalton has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks this season, and he get an excellent Week 10 matchup with the Texans on Monday Night Football.

Interim coach Mike Mularkey relayed Thursday that he's "pleased with Mariota's (knee) progress," adding that the QB is "moving well in the pocket" at practice.

Mariota's Week 9 status should be thus cemented Friday, and with the rookie signal-caller practicing fully, it looks like he should be a go Sunday against the Saints, barring a setback.

Smith (left shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.

As did fellow QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was already announced as the Jets' starter for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Smith's full practice participation Wednesday does however set the stage for him to be available to serve as the team's No. 2 QB this weekend.

Mariota (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.

Meanwhile, interim coach Mike Mularkey indicated Wednesday that the Titans are preparing for Mariota to play Sunday against the Jets, while cautioning that "we are being smart about it." With that in mind, backup Zach Mettenberger is still in line to see his share of practice reps this week,

Jets coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (thumb) will start Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

According to Bowles, Fitzpatrick "looked fine" at practice Wednesday, while doing "everything he would normally do."

Thus, assuming no setbacks, Fitzpatrick will tough it out this weekend, while setting his sights at a Jaguars' defense that is allowing an average of 263.9 passing yards per game to date.

Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) declared himself "100 percent ready to go" for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Supporting te notion is coach Rex Ryan, who relayed Taylor is in line to be full-go at practice Wednesday. Taylor, who suffered a sprained MCL in Week 5, is thus firmly on track to start Sunday's game against Miami, assuming no setbacks as the practice week continues.

Smith (shoulder, abdomen) participated in the media access portion of Wednesday's practice, the Daily News reports.

As did Ryan Fitzpatrick (thumb), and while we suspect that both QBs will be classified as limited participants, their presence on the field Wednesday suggests that the Jets probably won't have to resort to starting rookie Bryce Petty on Sunday against the Jaguars.

Gabbert will start Sunday against the Falcons in place of Colin Kaepernick, Kyle McLorg of Bay Area Sports Guy reports.

Kaepernick struggled mightily in the 49ers' last two games, so the coaching staff decided to make a change at the quarterback position, and give Gabbert the nod Sunday. For those looking for a Kaepernick replacement, Gabbert played well during the preseason, but he has appeared in just four games since 2012 and owns a 53.2 completion percentage and 23:24 TD:INT ratio in 29 career games.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt expects Mariota (knee) to practice Wednesday.

Assuming no setbacks as the practice week unfolds, it would appear as though Mariota has a good chance to return to action Sunday against the Saints after giving way to Zach Mettenberger in the Titans' last two games.

Both Smith (left shoulder) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (left thumb) are considered day-to-day by the Jets, ESPN's Rich Cimini reports.

That said, the report relays that coach Todd Bowles indicated Monday that his confidence level is "not very high" in having either of the aforementioned duo available for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. With that in mind, the team could end up starting rookie Bryce Petty this week, with Matt Flynn a candidate to be brought back by the Jets after having been cut by the team in early September.