NFL Player News
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J.J. McCarthy QB | MIN
Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Limited Wednesday, is 'day-to-day'
McCarthy said after Wednesday's practice that he was limited and remains "day-to-day," Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
McCarthy sustained a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand Week 16 at the Giants and didn't play last Thursday against the Lions. Coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com that McCarthy had a "really positive" throwing session Tuesday, and the quarterback himself said Wednesday that he "felt good throwing." It remains to be seen if McCarthy will be able to suit up Sunday versus the Packers, but Max Brosmer is on hand for another start if the former isn't cleared to play.
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Dillon Gabriel QB | CLE
Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Logs limited practice Wednesday
Gabriel (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Gabriel was added to the injury report last Friday after picking up a shoulder injury late in the week, and he ended up being inactive for Sunday's win over the Steelers. The rookie QB's limited practice to begin Week 18 prep suggests he's feeling better, but a full practice by the end of the week would go a long way toward ensuring he'll be cleared to play Sunday against Cincinnati. If Gabriel does suit up, he'll resume working as the Browns' No. 2 QB behind fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders.
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Baker Mayfield QB | TB
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield: Full practice Wednesday
Mayfield (right shoulder/knee) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
One day removed from being limited at Tuesday's walkthrough due to right shoulder and knee injuries, Mayfield had no on-field restrictions. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard confirmed as much Wednesday, telling Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site that Mayfield is "ready to roll." Mayfield thus is set to lead a Tampa Bay team that needs a win against the Panthers on Saturday, combined with a Falcons loss or tie Sunday versus the Saints, to lock down the No. 4 seed on the NFC side of the playoffs.
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Marcus Mariota QB | WAS
Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Not practicing, considered doubtful
Mariota (hand/quad) didn't practice Wednesday and remains a "long shot" for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
The term "long shot" comes directly from coach Dan Quinn, who is preparing his team for another week with QB Josh Johnson as the starter.
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Tanner McKee QB | PHI
Eagles' Tanner McKee: Expected to start Week 18
McKee is expected to start Sunday's game against the Commanders, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni hasn't publicly disclosed his plans, but he hinted Wednesday that he'll do so after discussing everything with the team. Multiple reports suggest that Sirianni will hold out QB Jalen Hurts and other starters.
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Lamar Jackson QB | BAL
Ravens' Lamar Jackson: Optimism after full practice
Jackson (back) practiced fully Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
In doing so, coach John Harbaugh indicated that Jackson, who was inactive in Week 17 due to a back contusion, "looked good," while adding that the QB is looking at utilizing extra protection for his back. As for Jackson's status for Sunday night's game against the Steelers, Harbaugh said that he's "optimistic" that the signal caller will be available. With that in mind, despite Jackson's full participation Wednesday, his situation is worth monitoring at least until Friday's final injury report reveals whether he carries an injury designation into the weekend.
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Geno Smith QB | NYJ
Raiders' Geno Smith: Not slated to start Sunday
Coach Pete Carroll noted Wednesday that Smith (ankle) is not in line to play Sunday against the Chiefs, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Smith emerged from Week 17 action with a concerning ankle injury, and in terms of the QB's availability versus Kansas City, Carroll said, "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him." With that in mind, look for Smith to be officially ruled out by Friday, and in that scenario Carroll indicated that he expects Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell to compete for the Week 18 starting nod, adding that he anticipates both signal-callers seeing action this weekend.
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Kenny Pickett QB | CAR
Raiders' Kenny Pickett: Likely to start, split reps Week 18
Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Pickett is expected to start Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
However, Carroll suggested that Pickett and Aidan O'Connell could split reps in the regular-season finale, as Geno Smith (ankle) isn't in line to play. The 27-year-old Pickett has appeared in five games this season and has put nothing good on tape, averaging a pitiful 4.5 yards per attempt with one touchdown and one interception across 41 pass attempts.
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Aidan O'Connell QB | LV
Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: May play off bench Sunday
O'Connell may get playing time off the bench Sunday against the Chiefs, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said Kenny Pickett likely will start in place of Geno Smith (ankle), with O'Connell potentially then coming off the bench to play some. Carroll didn't say if he'll take a similar approach at other positions.
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J.J. McCarthy QB | MIN
Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Returning to practice Wednesday
Coach Kevin O'Connell said McCarthy went through a "really positive" throwing session Tuesday with the Vikings' medical staff and will take part in Wednesday's practice, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand during a Week 16 win at the Giants that sidelined him for last Thursday's victory against the Lions. O'Connell said McCarthy likely will be limited in his return to drills Wednesday, but the second-year QB nonetheless is progressing in advance of Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Packers.