NFL Player News

Beathard will serve as the backup quarterback in Sunday's game against the Browns with Trevor Lawrence (ankle) listed active for the contest and having been cleared to start, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Just six days after suffering what was reported as a right high-ankle sprain in Monday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Bengals, Lawrence will be able to return to the lineup without having to miss a game, even though his injury typically entails a multi-week recovery. The Jaguars were still concerned enough about Lawrence's health to sign another quarterback (Nathan Rourke) to the active roster Saturday, but Rourke will be a healthy inactive Sunday while Beathard sticks in the No. 2 role. While coming on in relief of Lawrence against the Bengals, Beathard completed nine of 10 pass attempts for 63 yards to go with seven yards on his lone carry.

Thompson-Robinson is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars but is expected to serve as a backup to Joe Flacco, who is in line for a second straight start, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

While Thompson-Robinson was in concussion protocol throughout Week 13, Flacco was elevated from the practice squad and started in the Browns' 36-19 loss to the Rams last Sunday, throwing for 254 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 44 attempts. Flacco took most of the first-team reps in practice this week, but Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a Week 14 starting quarterback after Thompson-Robinson cleared the protocol Friday while practicing fully that same day. Though Thompson-Robinson will be available Sunday and could even be deployed in select packages that take advantage of his mobility, Flacco is still expected to see the majority -- if not all -- of the snaps behind center for the second week in a row.

Flacco remains slated to start Sunday's game against the Jaguars, despite the Browns having not made an official announcement on a Week 14 starting quarterback, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

Flacco was elevated from the practice squad Saturday in anticipation of his second straight start, which comes after he completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Browns' 36-19 loss to the Rams in Week 13. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson had started the preceding two games before sitting out Week 13 while recovering from a concussion, but he cleared the five-step protocol Friday and is active for Sunday's contest. While Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal suggests that Thompson-Robinson could be deployed in special packages that take advantage of his mobility, Flacco handled most of the first-team reps in practice this week and should see the bulk of the snaps behind center, if not all of them. The presence of the strong-armed Flacco at quarterback should boost the fantasy outlooks for the Browns' top three pass catchers, wideouts Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore and tight end David Njoku.

Haener (coach's decision) is inactive and will serve as the Saints' emergency quarterback Sunday against Carolina.

Haener has yet to see game action since being taken in the fourth round of this year's draft. Earlier in the week there appeared to be a chance that he would suit up this Sunday to work behind Jameis Winston with Derek Carr in concussion protocol and dealing with multiple injuries, but Carr ultimately was cleared to suit up against the Panthers. As such, Haener will be eligible to play in the contest only if the two QBs ahead of him are injured.

Rourke has been designated the Jaguars' emergency third quarterback Sunday against the Browns.

Rourke was added to the team's roster to provide insurance in case Trevor Lawrence (ankle) was unavailable. However, Lawrence is active and starting, while C.J. Beathard will serve as the team's No. 2 QB on Sunday.

Woodside (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers, but he'll dress and serve as the Falcons' emergency quarterback, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Woodside won't count against the 53-man roster but will be available if Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke are both forced out of the game.

Peterman (coach's decision) is inactive against the Lions on Sunday, though he will serve as Chicago's emergency quarterback.

With Justin Fields starting and Tyson Bagent backing him up, Peterman will be able to play in the Week 14 contest only if both quarterbacks are injured. Peterman has seen action in just one game this year, taking three snaps and losing four yards on two rushes without attempting a pass in Week 7 against Las Vegas.

Carr (ribs/shoulder) is listed as active Sunday against the Panthers.

Carr entered the protocol for head injuries for the second time in four weeks when he endured a big hit from Lions pass rusher Bruce Irvin last Sunday. At the same time, Carr suffered injuries to his right shoulder and ribs. While he was able to clear the protocol for head injuries by Friday afternoon, he entered the weekend as questionable before the Saints removed his designation Saturday afternoon. With his status confirmed for Week 14, Carr won't have his usual allotments of skill players available, as wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and the do-it-all Taysom Hill (foot/hand) are inactive.

Hill (foot/hand) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Panthers.

Despite not being able to practice this week due to foot and hand injuries, Hill was deemed questionable to play Sunday, perhaps due to uncertainty surrounding Derek Carr's (shoulder/ribs) availability. But after Carr cleared the concussion protocol Friday and had his designation removed entirely Saturday, the Saints may feel comfortable giving Hill the week off to get healthy for the stretch run of the season. New Orleans doesn't boast another player that can mimic Hill's skill set, but his lack of availability may mean RB Jamaal Williams is a bigger part of the offense than normal Sunday.

Lawrence (ankle) will start Sunday's game against the Browns.

Lawrence -- who is dealing with a right high-ankle sprain -- approached the contest listed as questionable after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday, but he'll be in uniform Sunday and will thus have an opportunity to play through his ankle issue while facing a tough Cleveland defense that is allowing a league-low 153.4 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, C.J. Beathard, who had been managing a non-throwing shoulder issue and didn't carry a Week 14 injury designation, is on hand to step in should Lawrence suffer any in-game setbacks. Through 12 starts this season, Lawrence has led Jacksonville to an 8-4 record while logging 3,004 passing yards and a 14:7 TD:INT ratio in that span.