NFL Player News

Coach Matt Eberflus told Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com on Friday that Fields (thumb) is "doubtful for" Sunday's game at New Orleans, "which is 51 percent out. But we'll see where it progresses through this weekend and onto the start of next week as well."

Fields has been sidelined since dislocating his right thumb Week 6 against the Vikings, missing two games in the process. In his return to practice Friday in a limited capacity, he threw for the first time since Oct. 15 and wore a glove while doing so. "I don't have to grip the ball as hard with the glove, so it just makes it easier to throw," Fields noted, per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Fields added that his grip strength has yet to get back to 100 percent, and Eberflus also relayed that the quarterback's return will depend on "more progression. ... We've got a mock game tomorrow, and we'll go from there. He's healing up nicely, so that's good." As long as Fields in sidelined, the Bears will continue to send out rookie Tyson Bagent under center.

Hill (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

The Saints placed a cap on Hill's reps Wednesday and Thursday due to a hip injury, but it was lifted Friday, when he was able to log a full session. He's thus set to man his typical do-it-all role in New Orleans' offense versus a Chicago defense that has given up a league-worst 81.7 percent catch rate to opposing tight ends this season.

Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed that Hall will be the Vikings' starting quarterback Sunday in Atlanta, Ellis Williams of the team's official site reports.

Hall is getting the first chance to sub in for Kirk Cousins, who was lost for the season Week 8 when he tore his Achilles in Green Bay. Upon his entrance in the fourth quarter, Hall completed three of four passes for 23 yards, had two carries for minus-1 yard and lost a fumble. Despite not having the services of Justin Jefferson (hamstring) for at least one more game, Hall will have wide receiver Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Alexander Mattison at his disposal. In the long term, Hall also will have to contend with Joshua Dobbs, who was acquired from the Cardinals on Tuesday and whom O'Connell relayed Friday will be active as Hall's backup Sunday, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Jones (neck) has no injury designation and will start Sunday against the Raiders, Art Stapleton of The Record Sports reports.

Jones was medically cleared last Sunday but had already been ruled out against the Jets. After getting a full week of practice under his belt, Big Blue's starting quarterback will return for his first action since Week 5 against the Dolphins. With Tyrod Taylor (ribs) ruled out, Jones will be backed up by Tommy DeVito.

Fields (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

On a positive note, Fields was able to practice in a limited capacity Friday. Still, considering his designation for Week 9 action, he's poised to miss a third consecutive contest due to a dislocated right thumb. Once Fields' lack of availability is confirmed approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Tyson Bagent will serve as the Bears' starting quarterback yet again.

Dobbs will be Minnesota's backup quarterback behind Jaren Hall against the Falcons on Sunday, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.

Dobbs will make his Vikings debut after starting eight games for the Cardinals, but he isn't ready to run the offense yet after having been acquired in a trade Tuesday. Hall will make his first NFL start after entering Minnesota's previous game in relief following Kirk Cousins' season-ending Achilles tear. Dobbs could be an option to start as soon as Week 10 against the Saints, though Hall and Nick Mullens (back) are also candidates to ascend to the top of the depth chart in Cousins' absence.

Coach Sean McVay relayed that Stafford (thumb) won't practice Friday, but the quarterback will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Stafford was knocked out of the Rams' Week 8 loss at Dallas late in the second quarter and was unable to return after injuring his right thumb. He eventually was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in the appendage, which didn't allow him to practice Wednesday through Friday. McVay has considered Stafford day-to-day all along, and the coach even added Friday that he's willing to "take it all the way up until game time" before making a decision on the quarterback's availability for Sunday, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. With a 1:00 p.m. kickoff on tap, Stafford's status will have clarity before the early slate of games, and if he ends up inactive, the Rams will roll with Brett Rypien under center.

Walker will return to a backup role Sunday against the Cardinals, as head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will start Week 9.

Watson will make just his second start since Week 3. The last time Watson played Week 7 against the Colts, he aggravated the injury and didn't return for the final three quarters, resulting in Walker playing most of that game. Barring another injury to Watson, Walker is likely to see limited snaps the rest of the season.

Allen (right shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday night's game against the Bengals after practicing fully both Thursday and Friday.

Allen was listed as a non-participant Wednesday but returned to a full practice Thursday, and with another uncapped session under his belt to end the week, the QB's Week 9 availability has been confirmed to the relief of fantasy managers, given the Bills' 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. In the team's Week 8 win over the Buccaneers, Allen completed 31 of 40 passes for 324 yards with two TDs and one interception while adding seven carries for 41 yards and a rushing score. Through eight games overall, Allen has thrown for 2,165 yards (fifth in the league) and compiled a 17:8 TD:INT.

Coach Mike Vrabel wouldn't commit to Levis being the starter moving forward but said Friday that the team would evaluate the depth chart and name a starting quarterback Tuesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Levis has started the last two games in place of Ryan Tannehill (ankle), posting a 1-1 record. After throwing four touchdowns in the Week 8 win over Atlanta, Levis failed to throw a touchdown in Thursday's loss to Pittsburgh. Tannehill's health, the short-term playoff chances of the 3-5 Titans, and the long-term implications of Levis' development are all factors that will go into the equation of naming the team's starter for Week 10 against the Buccaneers.