NFL Player News

Rodgers remains unlikely to play again this season, despite experiencing no setbacks with his surgically repaired Achilles' tendon during his return to practice this past week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rodgers' ability to get back on the practice field just 77 days after undergoing Achilles surgery Sept. 13 was already unprecedented for any player attempting to return from a similar injury, but since he's still facing significant limitations and isn't close to 100 percent healthy, the expectation remains that he'll be sidelined for the rest of the season, especially if the 4-7 Jets continue to fade from the playoff picture. The Jets will have until Dec. 20 to formally activate Rodgers or keep him on IR for the rest of the season, and even if the team's playoff standing hasn't improved by that point, Rapoport suggests that New York could still keep the 40-year-old on the 53-man roster as an emergency third quarterback. In such a scenario, Rodgers would continue to remain inactive on game days, though having him on the roster would help him stay connected and more involved with the Jets. While Rodgers remains on IR for now, however, the Jets will go with Tim Boyle as their starting quarterback for the second straight game Sunday against the Falcons, with Trevor Siemian and Zach Wilson on hand as the Nos. 2 and 3 signal-callers, respectively.

Denver elevated DiNucci to its active roster Saturday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

DiNucci has been with the Broncos organization for the majority of 2023, and he'll likely serve as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback Sunday. The James Madison product hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2020, when he saw playing time amongst a Cowboys QB room that was depleted with injuries.

Cunningham was elevated to the Patriots' active roster Saturday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Cunningham could wind up as the top backup behind Bailey Zappe given the coaching staff has seemingly lost faith in Mac Jones, but the Patriots have been coy in terms of ways in which the rookie quarterback could be incorporated into the offense. Cunningham has been active for one game this season, serving as a backup to then starter Jones in Week 6.

Flacco was elevated from the practice squad and will start Sunday's contest against the Rams, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

This was simply a procedural move, as the Browns had already announced Friday the 38-year-old would start ahead of PJ Walker. Flacco last played five games with the Jets in 2022, and while his counting stats were relatively solid given the expectations (1,051 passing yards, five touchdowns), he also attempted a shockingly high 191 passes, good for a bottom-level 5.5 yards per completion. It remains to be seen if the veteran's efficiency will be dramatically better after not seeing meaningful action on the field in over a year.

Though coach Bill Belichick hasn't confirmed the Patriots' Week 13 starting QB, Evan Lazar of the team's official site notes that all signs still point to Bailey Zappe starting over Jones in Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Jones has started all 11 of the 2-9 Patriots' games to date this season, but he's been pulled early in four of those contests, including after halftime in the team's 10-7 loss to the Giants in Week 12. On Sunday, it appears as though the team plans to turn to Zappe, and in that context Jones is not a fantasy lineup option this weekend.

Hooker (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Hooker remains on the reserve/non-football injury list even though he was able to log a full practice session both Thursday and Friday. The 2023 third-round pick tore his ACL in late November of 2022, and once he's ready to return to the field, he could challenge Teddy Bridgewater for Detroit's No. 2 quarterback spot.

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) ruled out, Flacco is in line to start at QB for the Browns in Sunday's game against the Rams, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com and Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer report.

Per Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site, Flacco took reps with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday and Thursday, and now that it's been confirmed that Thompson-Robinson will be unavailable this weekend, the veteran signal-caller is slated to be elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 13 action in order to draw the start Sunday, with PJ Walker handling backup duties. In that context, Flacco represents a fantasy option for those in deeper formats or who are otherwise impacted by the fact that six NFL teams have byes this week.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Rams, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

With Thompson-Robinson unavailable this week due to a concussion, veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco is poised to be elevated from the Browns' practice ahead of Sunday's contest in order to draw the start Week 13. Thompson-Robinson now will target a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 10 against the Jaguars.

Rodgers (Achilles) was ruled out Friday for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

The 40-year-old is said to be targeting a return Week 16 against Washington, though he's made it clear he won't come back this season unless the Jets have a chance to make the playoffs. Rodgers was limited in practice Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a Thursday absence, with Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reporting that the QB intends to intensify his regimen next week. Rodgers plans to practice on consecutive days next week and hasn't ruled out returning to games before the reported Week 16 target date. In the meantime, Tim Boyle and company need to beat the Falcons this Sunday to keep any realistic hope alive for a playoff berth and a Rodgers return.

Rodgers (Achilles) will be a limited participant in practice Friday, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

According to Allen, Rodgers is alternating practices and days off as part of his rehab schedule. Rodgers had his 21-day window to return from IR opened Wednesday, but he's unlikely to be activated until the end of that window, if at all. Per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Rodgers plans to increase his practice regimen next week in hopes of moving up his return timeline, though Rodgers also said Thursday that "I don't think it would make a ton of sense" to play in a game with no playoff implications, so the 4-7 Jets would likely have to string some wins together and remain in the playoff hunt for Rodgers to have a chance at suiting up for the team again in 2023.