NFL Player News

Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday that it is less likely that Bennett (illness) will return to the team this season, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Bennett was placed on the reserve/NFI list on Sept. 13 with an illness, though Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported at the time that McVay did not expand on the specifics of the illness "out of respect for the particulars and the specifics." With Matthew Stafford sustaining a UCL sprain in his right thumb in the Rams' 43-20 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, Bennett would have been in line to take over as the backup QB behind Brett Rypien if Stafford were to miss time, but it appears as though the rookie quarterback out of Georgia is unlikely to make an appearance in the 2023 season.

Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Tune or Kyler Murray (knee) will be the Cardinals' starting quarterback Sunday at Cleveland, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Following Sunday's 31-24 loss the Ravens, Gannon noted to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com that Joshua Dobbs would be the team's starter again Week 9, but a video session of that contest has caused him to change his tune, per Urban. Tune is a rookie fifth-round pick and has made just one cameo this season -- Week 7 at Seattle -- in which he completed his only pass for four yards, but he was fairly prolific his final two campaigns at Houston, throwing for 7,610 yards and 70 touchdowns in 27 games. His chances to be Arizona's starting signal-caller Sunday are contingent on Murray gaining clearance to play following last season's torn ACL, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that Tune likely will get the nod.

Coach Sean McVay relayed Monday that Stafford is dealing with a UCL sprain in his right thumb, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

As a result, Stafford is considered day-to-day as Sunday's game against the Packers approaches. While it remains to be seen if the veteran quarterback is able to play this weekend, as Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register notes, Stafford has avoided a worst-case scenario with regard to his thumb issue. If Stafford is unable to gain clearance to face Green Bay, Brett Rypien would be in line to draw the start at QB for the Rams in Week 9.

Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Dobbs won't start Sunday's game in Cleveland, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

After Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Ravens, Gannon told Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com that Dobbs would remain the team's starter Week 9, but after reviewing the tape, he's opted to move on to Kyler Murray or rookie Clayton Tune. Murray is closing in on a return to action from last season's torn ACL, but if he doesn't gain clearance to play Sunday, it'll be Tune under center for Arizona. Through eight games this season, Dobbs has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions, recorded 47 carries for 258 yards and three more TDs, and fumbled eight times (four lost).

Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Murray (knee) or Clayton Tune will be the Cardinals' starting quarterback for Sunday's game at Cleveland, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

After Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Ravens, Gannon relayed to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com that Joshua Dobbs would remain the team's starter Week 9. However, after watching video of that game, Gannon is making the switch to one of Arizona's other two QBs, per Urban. Murray is in the final stages of his recovery from last season's torn ACL and even was removed from the Cardinals' injury report last Thursday, so how he fares in practice Wednesday through Friday likely will be the determining factor for his chances to make his season debut Sunday.

Pickett (ribs) was listed as limited on the Steelers' estimated practice report Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Pickett made an early departure from Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Jaguars due to a hard hit that he endured late in the second quarter. He suffered a rib injury as a result, but even with Pittsburgh preparing to host the Titans on a short week Thursday, coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that "the door is definitively ajar" for Pickett to be available this week. Pickett is considered a "game-time type decision," so his status will be one to monitor closely as Thursday's game draws closer. Mitch Trubisky will be called upon to start if Pickett is unable to suit up.

Coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that Bagent will start Sunday's game at New Orleans, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

At the same time, Eberflus relayed that Justin Fields remains "week-to-week" but may be able to mix into drills this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Since taking over for Fields in the middle of Week 6 against the Vikings, Bagent has completed 56 of 80 passes for 477 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, rushed nine times for 27 yards and two more TDs and fumbled twice (one lost) across two-plus contests.

Coach Matt Eberflus considers Fields (thumb) "week-to-week" as of Monday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

In the same breath, Eberflus also named Tyson Bagent as the Bears' starting quarterback for a Week 9 visit to New Orleans. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, there does seem to be a chance that Fields will return to practice this week, but his primary hurdle in getting cleared for game action is regaining the grip strength that was diminished when he dislocated his right thumb Week 6 against the Vikings. As long as Fields is sidelined, Bagent appears set to get the nod in his place.

Taylor (rib cage) was discharged from the hospital Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Taylor was forced out of Sunday's overtime loss to the Jets in the second quarter and taken to the hospital, where he stayed overnight as he underwent further examination. The precautionary measure allowed him to leave one day later, but he now is considered week-to-week, per Schefter. With news that Daniel Jones (neck) was cleared for contact Sunday prior to Taylor's injury, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, the Giants may not have as dire of a situation at quarterback as they prepare for a Week 9 road matchup with the Raiders.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was non-committal Monday when asked whether Ridder would start Atlanta's Week 9 game against the Vikings, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports. "We have to see where he's at. That's the best answer I can give you," Smith said about Ridder. "Have to see where he's at. ... We have to find a way to win this game."

Smith's comments seemingly refer to Ridder's health, even though the quarterback passed all concussion tests when he was checked during halftime of Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans. Ridder played the entire first half of the game, leading Atlanta to just three points over seven drives while completing eight of 12 pass attempts for 71 yards to go with 26 yards on the ground and a lost fumble. Though Ridder was cleared to return for the second half, Taylor Heinicke stepped in at quarterback and performed far more effectively, producing points on four of his six drives. Given that Ridder has turned the ball over 12 times (six interceptions, six lost fumbles) through eight games and the Falcons now are sitting at 4-4 on the season, Smith appears to be seriously considering the prospect of moving the second-year signal-caller to the bench. Expect Smith to shed more light on the Falcons' plans at quarterback for Week 9 when the team resumes practicing Wednesday.