NFL Player News

Thompson-Robinson has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that he's not yet to ready to name a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

According to Cabot, the Browns are expected to wait until gameday to decide whether Thompson-Robinson will step back in as Cleveland's starter, or if Joe Flacco will draw a second consecutive start. The Browns have yet to release their final Week 14 injury report, so Thompson-Robinson could still end up carrying a designation into Sunday's contest despite clearing the protocol. Thompson-Robinson was listed as a limited participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday while Flacco took most of the reps with the first-team offense.

Jackson (illness) returned to practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson didn't practice Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the field a day later has him on track to play Sunday against the Rams. Friday's upcoming practice/injury report will reveal whether the QB heads into the weekend with a designation or fully cleared for Week 14 action.

Coach Doug Pederson noted that the status of Lawrence (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Browns will likely hinge on how the QB does in practice Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Pederson answered "probably so" when asked if Lawrence will be a game-time decision for Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff. Considering that, Lawrence is trending toward entering the weekend with a 'questionable' designation on the final injury report. He's dealing with a high ankle sprain and won't have his usual mobility if he ends up playing.

Trubisky completed 22 of 35 passes for 190 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night. He also rushed eight times for 30 yards and another score and threw a two-point conversion pass.

Making his first start of Kenny Pickett's (ankle) projected multi-game absence, Trubisky turned in a lackluster effort that featured plenty of inaccurate throws and saw him average only 5.4 yards per attempt. The veteran QB did serve as the Steelers' leading rusher -- albeit with a modest yardage total -- and connected with Diontae Johnson on a 25-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter. Trubisky added a one-yard scoring sneak early in the fourth quarter following a blocked punt that set the Steelers up in excellent field position, and he tacked on a sharp two-point conversion pass to Pat Freiermuth after that touchdown. However, Pittsburgh's next two drives ended in a punt and on downs, and Trubisky then padded his final numbers with 24- and 21-yard completions to Johnson and Allen Robinson, respectively, on the final two plays. With some additional time between Thursday's contest and a Week 15 Saturday afternoon road matchup against the Colts on Dec. 16, it remains to be seen if Trubisky is usurped by Mason Rudolph for a start if Pickett remains out, as is highly likely.

Zappe completed 19 of 28 passes for 240 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Patriots' 21-18 win over the Steelers on Thursday night. He also rushed three times for 13 yards.

Zappe was the overriding reason a game with the lowest projected over/under total in 30 years exceeded expectations, with the second-year signal-caller turning in the first three-touchdown effort of his career. The bulk of Zappe's success came in the first half, when he connected with Ezekiel Elliott (11 yards) and Hunter Henry (eight, 24 yards) for his trio of scoring tosses. Zappe didn't lead the Patriots to any second-half points, but his one turnover didn't lead to any Steelers scores, either. Given the improved offensive success -- especially by the Patriots' 2023 standards -- Zappe was able to help lead Thursday, he seems like a lock to draw a Week 15 home start against the Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Smith was limited at Thursday's practice due to a groin injury, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Smith avoided the Seahawks' first Week 14 practice report Wednesday, so his addition to the list one day later puts the spotlight on Friday to help determine if he may be in danger of sitting out Sunday in San Francisco. The QB is coming off his fourth 300-yard passing performance of the season last Thursday at Dallas, but he also mustered just 180 yards, no touchdowns and one interception on 18-for-27 passing when Seattle hosted the 49ers back in Week 12.

Rudolph is active for the Steelers' matchup with the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.

Rudolph has operated as the team's emergency quarterback a few times this season, but with Kenny Pickett (ankle) unavailable for Week 14, Rudolph will be Pittsburgh's backup behind Mitch Trubisky. The quarterback hasn't appeared in a game since the 2021 campaign.

Zappe is expected to start Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Though coach Bill Belichick declined to publicly name the team's Week 14 starting QB, Zappe appears poised to log another turn on the heels of completing 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers. Given the state of 2-10 New England's offense -- which will be without RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and WRs DeVante Parker (knee), Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) on Thursday -- Zappe is a lineup option in only the deepest of fantasy formats.

Rodgers (Achilles) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Rodgers was held out of Wednesday's session seemingly as part of a pre-planned maintenance program for his surgically repaired Achilles, but as expected, he was back on the field Thursday, albeit with a cap on his reps. Since having his 21-day evaluation window opened Nov. 29, Rodgers has managed three limited practices over five total sessions. Rodgers has previously stated that he's aiming to return for a Week 16 game against the Commanders on Dec. 24, but the odds of the 40-year-old quarterback playing again this season appear to be dwindling while the 4-8 Jets have started to fade from the AFC playoff picture. Another loss Sunday to the Texans or in Week 15 against the Dolphins could prompt Rodgers to close the door on a return to game action this season, though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network recently reported that Rodgers could be added to the 53-man roster when his evaluation window closes and continue to take part in practices while serving as an emergency No. 3 quarterback over the Jets' final three games.

Beathard (left shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville's franchise QB Trevor Lawrence, who is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, also was limited Thursday after missing Wednesday's session. Friday's injury report will add further context with regard to the duo's status for Sunday's game against the Browns, but Lawrence's ability to practice Thursday has brightened the prospects of him potentially being able to play this weekend.