NFL Player News

Cunningham has been elevated to the Patriots' active roster from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Cunningham also was elevated in advance of this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to Chargers but didn't see any action in the contest. This time around, Cunningham is available to provide the Patriots with depth at quarterback and wide receiver and could log some snaps versus Pittsburgh on designed plays behind projected starting signal-caller Bailey Zappe. Cunningham may be more needed at receiver, however, with Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) ruled out and with DeVante Parker (knee) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) listed as questionable.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Thompson-Robinson didn't take a notable step forward in his recovery from a concussion while maintaining limited practice activity for the second day in a row, but his continued presence on the field is at least an encouraging sign. Even so, Thompson-Robinson doesn't look to be trending toward the starting assignment Week 14 against the Jaguars, as Joe Flacco once again worked with the first-team offense Thursday and may be in line for a second consecutive start, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. If Flacco draws the start this weekend, Thompson-Robinson wouldn't be a lock to serve as the No. 2 quarterback, as he still needs to clear the five-step concussion protocol in order to be available. In addition to practicing in full capacity Friday, Thompson-Robinson would also need to attain clearance from an independent neurologist before being removed from the protocol.

Lawrence (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Lawrence is dealing with a high right-ankle sprain, but after missing Wednesday's session, the QB's ability to practice a day later -- albeit capped -- offers hope that he could play through the issue this weekend against the Browns. Unless Lawrence is able to practice fully Friday, however, he figures to approach Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET contest with an injury designation.

Carr (concussion/rib/right shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Carr has opened Week 14 prep with a pair of limited practices, after the trio of injuries knocked him out early in this past Sunday's loss to the Lions. The concussion appears to be the chief concern for Carr at this juncture, considering that he was previously following the five-step protocol after exiting the Saints' Week 10 loss to Minnesota with a brain injury. He wasn't forced to miss any game action thanks to a well-timed Week 11 bye, but Carr could have a tougher time passing through the protocol ahead of this Sunday's contest against the Panthers. In order to play this weekend, Carr may need to practice fully Friday in addition to getting clearance from an independent neurologist. If Carr isn't available Sunday, Jameis Winston would likely step in as the Saints' starting quarterback.

Jackson didn't participate in practice Thursday due to an illness, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jackson practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence from the field a day later is being attributed to an ailment. So long as the quarterback is able to practice Friday, he should be ready to start Sunday's game against the Rams, but fantasy managers will still want to monitor his situation heading into the weekend.

Hill (foot/hand) wasn't on the field for Thursday's practice, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Now that he's missed the Saints' first two Week 14 practices, Hill will likely need to get back on the field Friday in some capacity to put himself in a position to be available Sunday against the Panthers. Hill is coming off a busy Week 13 loss to the Lions in which he played 28 snaps and took a season-high 13 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown while throwing two incompletions and reeling in his two targets for 15 receiving yards. With the status of Derek Carr (concussion/rib/shoulder) uncertain for Sunday, Hill could end up taking more reps under center than usual if he's able to overcome his own pair of injuries, though Jameis Winston would likely serve as the Saints' primary quarterback if Carr can't play.

Jackson (undisclosed) didn't practice Thursday, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Per Mink, this marks Jackson's first practice absence of the season. When speaking with the media after Wednesday's session, the QB didn't indicate anything was wrong, so look for the Ravens' upcoming practice report to provide context regarding Jackson's non-participation Thursday.

Taylor (ribs) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's estimated injury report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants designated Taylor for return from injured reserve Monday, but even with a Week 13 bye in the rearview mirror, the team didn't hold practice Thursday. Still, he wouldn't have had any restrictions if it had done so, meaning he seems poised to serve as Tommy DeVito's backup Monday against the Packers, assuming Taylor is activated ahead of that contest. If not, though, Taylor would yield the No. 2 job to practice-squad member Matt Barkley.

Lawrence (ankle) was spotted on the field for practice Thursday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Per DiRocco, Lawrence noted Wednesday that his right ankle felt much better than he anticipated it would two days after suffering a right high-ankle sprain in Monday's overtime loss to the Bengals. While the quarterback didn't appear to take part in every drill Thursday, he warmed up with his teammates and did some throwing. The Jaguars' second Week 14 injury report will be issued later Thursday and clarify the extent of Lawrence's participation.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) was present for practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Meanwhile, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer notes that earlier Thursday offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said he believes Thompson-Robinson is still in the NFL's concussion protocol and has one more box to check in order to gain clearance ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Per Petrak, Van Pelt indicated that the Browns have yet to make a decision on the team's Week 14 starter at QB, but Cabot believes that Joe Flacco is trending toward toward facing Jacksonville this weekend.