NFL Player News

The Saints restored Dekkers (undisclosed) to the practice squad from the practice squad injured list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Prior to landing on the practice squad injury list Sept. 24, Dekkers was signed and subsequently cut by the Saints five different times between the start of training camp and Sept. 18. He'll have one chance to be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster this Sunday in Atlanta before his contract expires after the current campaign.

Herbert (left hand/rest) was limited at practice Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Herbert is not in line to see action in the playoff-bound Chargers' regular-season finale against the Broncos on Sunday, with the QB's listed limitations Wednesday an acknowledgement that he continues to manage a (non-throwing) hand issue ahead of Week 18. In any case, if Herbert isn't officially ruled out on Friday's final injury report, he's on track to be made inactive Sunday, which sets the stage for Trey Lance to start against Denver, with practice squad member DJ Uiagalelei in line to be elevated to serve as the team's No. 2 QB.

Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.

During the open portion of Wednesday's session, Willis didn't throw, unlike No. 1 QB Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) and practice-squad members Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Love ended up logging his first full practice since he suffered a head injury Week 16 in Chicago, and while he remains in the concussion protocol, per coach Matt LaFleur, he told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic at the same time that some starters won't play Sunday at Minnesota. Who will be under center for the Packers this weekend remains to be seen, but with the team locked into the No. 7 seed on the NFC side of the postseason, LaFleur may err on the side of caution with Love and even Willis to prioritize health for the wild-card round.

Love (left shoulder/concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

This marks Love's first uncapped session since he sustained a concussion Week 16 at Chicago, but coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic earlier Wednesday that Love still was in the concussion protocol, while also saying some starters won't suit up Sunday in Minnesota. Although No. 2 QB Malik Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) was limited Wednesday, he wasn't among the signal-callers (Love and practice-squad members Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder) spotted throwing, according to Demovsky. The Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed on the NFC side of the playoffs, so they don't have much incentive to put Love or even Willis in harm's way, but it remains anyone guess who among that duo or Tune will be under center for Green Bay this weekend.

The Packers signed Tune to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has already announced that the team will rest some starters during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Vikings, per Zach Kruse of USA Today. With Jordan Love (concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder) both less than 100 percent healthy, that could pave the way for Tune to start Sunday. Green Bay also inked veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder to the practice squad Wednesday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.