NFL Player News

Mariota (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Mariota landed on injured reserve just before the season opener due to a chest injury, which was reclassified as a pectoral issue during Week 5 prep after the Commanders designated him for return Wednesday and were required to list him on the practice report. He remained questionable for Sunday even after the team activated him Saturday, but now that he's deemed active, he'll act as the top backup to starting quarterback and rookie sensation Jayden Daniels.

Richardson (oblique) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Richardson's absence for Week 5 was expected after he suffered an oblique strain in the Colts' Week 4 win over the Steelers and was subsequently a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday before taking a questionable tag into the weekend and then getting downgraded to doubtful Saturday. With Richardson getting at least one game off to tend to his injury, Joe Flacco will step in as the Colts' starting quarterback while usual No. 3 signal-caller Sam Ehlinger slides into the backup role.

The Jets elevated Martinez from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Martinez will make the trip to London to serve as the third/emergency quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Rodgers had been dealing with knee swelling all week, but he doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's contest.

Mariota (chest) was activated off injured reserve Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

It would seem counterintuitive to activate a player off injured reserve and then not play him, especially well within the 21-day practice window, so it seems likely the veteran quarterback is set to operate as the backup come Sunday. Mariota will likely push out Jeff Driskel from the backup spot as a result.

Flacco appears to be in position to start Sunday's game against the Jaguars after the Colts announced Anthony Richardson (oblique) is now listed as doubtful for the matchup.

When Richardson exited Sunday's 27-24 win over the Steelers during the Colts' second offensive drive, Flacco stepped in to complete 16 of 26 pass attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Flacco's steady hand in directing the offense was even more impressive by the fact that he was able to pick apart one of the league's best defenses in Pittsburgh. With Richardson managing nothing more than limited participation in practice this week, Flacco should be set up well to deliver a useful fantasy outing against a Jaguars defense that's allowed the third-most passing yards in 2024.

The Colts downgraded Richardson (oblique) from questionable to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Richardson was listed as a limited participant in practice all week, but the second-year quarterback ceded the majority of the first-team reps to Joe Flacco throughout those sessions. Given his lack of extensive reps this week, Richardson looks on track to sit out Sunday, which will put Flacco in line for his first start of the season while Sam Ehlinger steps in as the top backup. The Colts will wait and see if Richardson can make enough progress in his recovery from the oblique strain during Week 6 prep to see if he can make his return to the lineup next Sunday at Tennessee.

Mariota (chest) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Mariota opened the season on injured reserve due to a chest injury. The 30-year-old quarterback has been a full participant in all three practices this week after he was designated to return to practice Wednesday. While he does carry a questionable tag into Sunday's game, Mariota appears to be trending towards being activated off IR and serving as Jayden Daniels' backup. If Mariota is activated off IR, that will likely lead to Sam Hartman being cut from the active roster while Jeff Driskel serves as the third/emergency quarterback.

Wilson (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Wilson remained a limited practice participant this past week, though the QB, who has resumed mixing into 11-on-11 drills, noted that he's "definitely ramping it up. It's been good. I feel great, and I just keep getting better every day." As Sunday's contest approaches, Justin Fields is poised to make his fifth straight start for the Steelers, while it remains to be seen if Wilson is ready to back him up or will remain inactive as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback this weekend.

Richardson (oblique) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing in a limited capacity this week, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Richardson logged just 13 snaps in the Colts' Week 4 win over the Steelers before his first-quarter exit from the contest. He was replaced by veteran QB Joe Flacco, who Boyd notes took the majority of the team's first-team reps in practice this week. With that in mind, it remains to be seen if Richardson will be available to start this weekend. Look for added context on that topic to arrive late Saturday or early Sunday from national reporters such as ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Thompson (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Thompson sat out Week 4 against the Titans after getting hurt in his Week 3 start against the Seahawks, but he has a chance to gain clearance for Week 5 after three consecutive limited practices. Even if Thompson's cleared to return, he would be the backup to Tyler Huntley, who will make a second consecutive start.