NFL Player News

Carr (ribs/right shoulder) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, but he's on track to start after he cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, a source tells Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

Head coach Dennis Allen said Carr was still in the protocol when he met with the media Friday, but after he was a full participant in the Saints' practice later in the day, the quarterback apparently gained clearance when he met with an independent neurologist following practice. The Saints are unlikely to officially confirm Carr's availability for the Week 14 matchup until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but the 32-year-old is poised to direct the New Orleans as he usually does, provided he doesn't re-enter the protocol or experience a setback in his recovery from the other two injuries. Carr has yet to miss a game this season but has been included in the concussion protocol on two occasions and also exited early in a Week 3 loss in Green Bay due to a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.

Cunningham reverted back to the Patriots' practice squad Friday.

Cunningham was elevated to the team's active roster ahead of Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers but didn't see any action in the contest. The versatile quarterback/receiver remains a candidate for promotion in the coming weeks, but New England's quarterback situation may have stabilized, at least temporarily, after Bailey Zappe completed 19 of 28 pass attempts for 240 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the win over Pittsburgh.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll suggested after Friday's practice that Lock could start Sunday's game against the 49ers with Geno Smith (groin) listed as questionable and being labeled as a game-time decision, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports. "He's been waiting for this opportunity. If this comes to pass he is as ready as he's going to get," Carroll said of Lock.

Smith's groin injury cropped up during Thursday's practice, when the quarterback "stumbled over somebody," Carroll relayed to Bell. Carroll went on to note that Smith was rested at Friday's practice, but the Seahawks are seemingly still hopeful that their usual starting signal-caller will be able to play Sunday. If Smith is unable to show enough improvement ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, however, Lock has kept himself prepared to make what would be his first start for Seattle since he was acquired from Denver as part of the March 2022 deal that sent Russell Wilson to the Broncos. Lock has thus far been limited to just two relief appearances through his one-plus seasons in Seattle, completing four of 12 pass attempts for 66 yards and an interception.

Head coach Pete Carroll said Friday that he considers Smith (groin) a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Smith was added to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant and then held out of practice Friday. He's officially listed as questionable, with Carroll's comments suggesting the team will treat Smith as such entering the weekend, though long-time Seahawks beat reporter Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune said that he'll be surprised if the quarterback doesn't play. Drew Lock will start at quarterback if Smith is listed among Seattle's list of inactives, which will be released 90 minutes before the 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Hooker (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Hooker is still on Detroit's reserve/non-football injury list, and he'll remain out through Week 14. Once the 2023 third-round pick returns to the field, he could challenge Teddy Bridgewater for the Lions' backup quarterback role.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Friday that he's managed the quarterback snaps between both Winston and Derek Carr (concussion/rib/shoulder) during practice this week in the event Carr isn't available for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Carr has started all 12 of the Saints' games to date, but his status heading into the weekend may be murkier than ever before after he entered the concussion protocol for the second time this season following his removal from last Sunday's 33-28 loss to the Lions. Carr is also nursing a pair of injuries in addition to the concussion, but he was able to stay involved in practice throughout the week, logging limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday before advancing to full activity Friday. If Carr can gain clearance from an independent neurologist Saturday, he could be removed from the protocol and handle his usual starting duties Sunday, but if not, Winston looks like he'll be prepared to direct the offense. While coming on in relief of Carr on five occasions this season, Winston has completed 25 of 47 pass attempts for 264 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Smith (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Smith was added to the injury report Thursday, and the signing of quarterback Sean Mannion to Seattle's practice squad Friday might be taken as a sign that the Seahawks are at least slightly concerned about Smith missing Sunday's game. Head coach Pete Carroll could provide some added context regarding Smith's health when he talks to the media following Friday's practice.

Lawrence (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns after practicing in a limited fashion both Thursday and Friday.

Per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, head coach Doug Pederson said earlier Friday that the Jaguars will wait until Sunday before deciding whether Lawrence -- who is dealing with a right high-ankle sprain -- will get the start versus Cleveland. Fortunately for those considering him in Week 14 fantasy lineups, Jacksonville kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, giving managers some alternatives in the event Lawrence can't play. For what it's worth, Jaguars beat writer Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union believes that Lawrence will be able to play through the injury Sunday, based on the signal-caller looked during the media-access portion of Friday's practice. C.J. Beathard is the next man up on the depth chart at quarterback for Jacksonville, and though he doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday, his practice participation was affected this week due to an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

Thompson-Robinson doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after clearing the NFL's concussion protocol Friday, but head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't commit to either the rookie or Joe Flacco serving as the team's starting quarterback in Week 14, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

After exiting the Browns' Week 12 loss to the Broncos upon suffering the concussion, Thompson-Robinson sat out last week's loss to the Rams while Flacco was elevated from the practice squad and replaced him as the Browns' starter. Flacco was generally efficient in the 36-19 loss with 23 completions on 44 attempts for 254 yards, but he also threw a costly fourth-quarter interception that ended any hope of the Browns making a come-from-behind victory. As Zac Jackson of The Athletic notes, Flacco was reportedly first in line for drills in each practice this week, but Thompson-Robinson is apparently still drawing consideration for the Week 14 start after he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday before taking full reps Friday upon clearing the five-step protocol. The Browns thus look set to take a decision on a starting quarterback up until gameday, with confirmation on that front unlikely to arrive until early Sunday or perhaps not even until pregame warmups leading up to the team's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Beathard (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Beathard's practice activity was affected this week to the injury he sustained to his left shoulder during his relief appearance in Monday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Bengals, but even though he's been cleared to play Week 14, he may not be needed. Trevor Lawrence has made rapid progress in his recovery from the right high-ankle sprain he suffered Monday and is being listed as questionable for Sunday's contest after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday. The Jaguars appear to be viewing Lawrence as a game-time decision, but if he demonstrates enough progress to get the green light to start ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Beathard would be stuck in his usual backup role.