NFL Player News

Winston (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In addition to being demoted to the backup quarterback behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Winston is now dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder. If the injury prevents Winston from suiting up against the Bengals on Sunday, then Bailey Zappe would be in line to take over as the No. 2 quarterback behind Thompson-Robinson.

Rattler will start Monday's game against the Saints if Derek Carr (hand) doesn't play, ESPN.com's Katherine Terrell reports.

Reports suggest Carr is unlikely to play again this season, but Saints coach Darren Rizzi sees it differently, telling reporters that he hopes to get Carr "back here by the end of the year." Rizzi did acknowledge Carr is unlikely to play Monday, leaving Rattler as the probable starter and Jake Haener as the backup. There's a chance Rizzi makes that official Friday if Carr misses another practice.

DeVito (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

While DeVito maintained his activity level from one day prior, coach Brian Daboll told Salomone earlier Thursday that the second-year signal-caller was expected to increase his activity level as he progressed through the concussion protocol. Daboll added, "I think he'll be available" Sunday in Atlanta, but even if DeVito gains clearance from an independent neurologist and is active this weekend, he'll be the backup to Drew Lock (heel/left elbow), who practiced fully Thursday. Tim Boyle is on hand to handle No. 2 QB duties if DeVito isn't able to.

Burrow (right wrist/knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Burrow, who also was limited Wednesday, logged capped sessions last Wednesday and Thursday before practicing fully Friday and heading into Week 15 action without an injury designation. With no reported setbacks, it wouldn't surprise to see that pattern followed ahead of this Sunday's game against the Browns.

Mayfield (knee) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Mayfield was held out of drills Wednesday due to a knee injury, but his return to all activity one day later sets him up to continue to direct the Buccaneers offense Sunday at Dallas, whose defense has given up the second-most combined touchdowns (21 passing, eight rushing) to opposing quarterbacks in 14 contests this season.

Interim coach Darren Rizzi said that if Carr (hand), who didn't practice Thursday, isn't able to play Monday in Green Bay, Spencer Rattler will be under center for the Saints, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Rizzi added that Carr probably will need to practice by Saturday in order to have a chance to suit up Week 16. Additionally, Rizzi pushed back at reports that Carr likely won't return this season, telling Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, "Derek Carr wants to play this season. There is zero doubt about that. ... So, therefore, that's why this is day-to-day." In the event that Carr doesn't do enough to put an end to a one-game absence Monday, Rattler will get the start, while Jake Haener will serve as his backup.

Lock (heel/elbow) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Lock, who was limited in practice Wednesday and missed the Giants' Week 15 loss to the Ravens, now seems fully on track for Sunday's road matchup against the Falcons. Head coach Brian Daboll has already announced that, if available, Lock will start versus Atlanta on Sunday, priming him for matchup against Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix. Tommy DeVito (concussion) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday and seems to be trending in the right direction for Week 16, meaning he could be available as Lock's backup.

Saints head coach Darren Rizzi announced Thursday that Rattler will start versus the Packers on Monday if Derek Carr (hand) is unavailable, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Rattler logged a solid showing after replacing Jake Haener under center during New Orleans' loss to Washington in Week 15, completing 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown, including a near last-second comeback. At this stage, Carr's Week 16 status is iffy, with Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football relaying that Rizzi indicated that the veteran QB would probably have to get in a practice by Saturday in order to play Monday.

Mahomes (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Texans, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Mahomes, who was listed as a full practice participant Tuesday through Thursday, thus is cleared to start versus Houston. In terms of how the QB looked at practice this week, head coach Andy Reid noted that Mahomes "did look good out there. He moved around pretty good," while wideout DeAndre Hopkins said that Kansas City's QB looked "like he always does.'' With Mahomes' availability confirmed, the team also appears poised to welcome back speedy wideout Hollywood Brown (shoulder, no injury designation) who is on IR but is expected to be activated by the Chiefs ahead of Week 16 action.

Fields (abdomen) did not practice Thursday and is ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Fields hasn't yet practiced in any capacity since sustaining an abdomen injury during Pittsburgh's loss to the Eagles in Week 15. He picked up the injury on an eight-yard rush in the second quarter of the Steelers' loss. Until Fields is cleared to retake the field, Kyle Allen handle backup quarterback duties behind Russell Wilson.