NFL Player News

Levis was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Per John Glennon of NashvillePost.com, Levis appeared to be hampered to some degree by his ankle during Wednesday's session, but given that the quarterback was able to work through the issue -- albeit in a limited fashion -- he'll most likely be available Sunday against the Colts. That said, Levis will need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Trask played two of the Buccaneers' 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Buccaneers, throwing an incompletion on his lone pass attempt.

Trask has been active for every game this season as the Buccaneers' No. 2 quarterback, but Sunday marked just the second time he's seen the field. He was pressed into action in a key spot in the first quarter, when starter Baker Mayfield injured his ankle on a goal-line carry. Trask stepped in on second-and-goal, but after a false-start penalty and then a three-yard Rachaad White run, Trask was unable to connect with Chris Godwin on a potential touchdown on third down. The Buccaneers proceeded to kick a field goal, and Trask remained on the sideline the rest of the game after Mayfield was cleared to return for the team's next possession. Mayfield was a full practice participant Wednesday and is on track to start Sunday against the Panthers, so Trask will be sticking in a backup role once again this weekend.

Pickett (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told Mark Kaboly of The Athletic on Tuesday that Pickett's practice participation might be limited this week as Pittsburgh prepares for a home game against the Cardinals this weekend. Pickett ended up being a full participant for the Steelers' first Week 13 session, and while it's possible his mobility is affected by the ankle issue, there's no concern about the signal-caller missing an upcoming matchup with one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Rodgers (Achilles) was a limited participant Wednesday in his return to practice and remains hopeful to make his return to game action Week 16 against the Commanders on Dec. 24, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets designated Rodgers for return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday, opening a 21-day window that he can be added back to the roster before defaulting back to the IR for the rest of the season. Both outcomes remain possible at this point, with Rodgers having noted multiple times that his return would depend on both his health and the Jets having a shot to make the playoffs. He's been cleared for "functional football activity" but not contact, and his return to practice Wednesday didn't include participation in 11-on-11 drills. The Week 16 contest Rodgers is targeting will be played three and a half months after his injury, which would make him the first NFL player to suit up for a game less than five months after suffering an Achilles' tendon tear.

Jones wasn't seen attempting passes during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, while Bailey Zappe logged multiple reps at quarterback and was followed in drills by practice-squad member Malik Cunningham, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Bill Belichick has declined to name a starting quarterback for this weekend's game against the Chargers, but based on what transpired during the initial stages of Wednesday's practice, Zappe -- who replaced Jones after halftime during the Patriots' 10-7 loss to the Giants on Sunday -- may be the frontrunner for the assignment. Jones has started all 11 games for the 2-9 Patriots this season, but he's been pulled early in four of those contests.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Walker has been surpassed by Joe Flacco on Cleveland's quarterback depth chart, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Walker struggled in relief in Week 12 against the Broncos after starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson left the 29-12 loss early due to a concussion. Thompson-Robinson remains in concussion protocol, and even if he isn't cleared in time to play Sunday against the Rams, Flacco would get the start, with Walker backing up the 38-year-old. Flacco will presumably be elevated from the practice squad prior to Sunday, regardless of Thompson-Robinson's status.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Flacco is now considered the top backup to starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who suffered a concussion during Sunday's loss to Denver, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

In other words, Flacco may end up starting Sunday's game at the Rams if Thompson-Robinson is unable to clear the five-step protocol this week. P.J. Walker filled in after Thompson-Robinson exited against Denver and once again struggled with to limit turnovers. Based on his track record, Flacco would at least likely do a better job than Walker at avoiding interceptions, even if he had no more success sustaining drives and scoring points. The 38-year-old signal-caller joined Cleveland's practice squad last week.

Zappe took multiple reps under center during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice and was then was followed by practice-squad member Malik Cunningham, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Reiss adds that neither Mac Jones nor the Patriots' other practice-squad quarterback (Will Grier) threw during the early portion of the session. While head coach Bill Belichick has declined to name a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against the Chargers, the way Wednesday's practice transpired hints at Zappe potentially getting the nod this weekend. During the Patriots' 10-7 loss to the Giants in Week 12, Zappe replaced Jones after halftime and completed nine of 14 passes for 54 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Mayfield (ankle) was a full participant at Wednesday's walkthrough.

Mayfield injured his ankle near the end of the Buccaneers' opening possession this past Sunday at Indianapolis, missing two snaps in the process. He was able to play with the ankle heavily taped thereafter on his way to 199 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 20-for-30 passing, three carries for 14 yards and two fumbles (one lost). On Monday, an MRI on Mayfield's ankle returned negative, and as of Wednesday, head coach Todd Bowles told Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site that the quarterback felt much better and was in line to suit up Sunday against the Panthers. With a full listing on the team's first Week 13 practice report, Mayfield appears on pace to do exactly that, but it wouldn't surprise if he endures some on-field restrictions before week's end to manage the issue.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Browns were forced to turn the offense back over to P.J. Walker after Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Broncos. The rookie hasn't performed much better than his veteran counterpart, but Thompson-Robinson seems more likely than not to be the starter again once he exits concussion protocol. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Joe Flacco is now Thompson-Robinson's backup, suggesting that the 38-year-old will start Sunday's game at the Rams -- rather than Walker -- in the event Thompson-Robinson isn't cleared to play.