NFL Player News

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.

The Vikings announced Monday that Cousins will miss the rest of the season after an MRI confirmed that he tore his right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over the Packers.

The news come as little surprise, as multiple reports suggested that Cousins suffered an Achilles tear shortly after he exited in the fourth quarter with the injury. A timeline and details for Cousins' surgery will be determined later this week, but the 35-year-old will be done for the season and may not be guaranteed to be back to 100 percent health for NFL training camps next summer. Jaren Hall replaced Cousins late in Sunday's game, but the Vikings haven't determined whether the rookie fifth-round pick will start Week 9 at Atlanta. Cousins, meanwhile, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Stafford (thumb) still is being evaluated but has not sustained a fracture, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Stafford could miss time due to the right thumb injury he sustained during Sunday's loss to Dallas, but his X-rays at least have returned somewhat good news. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Stafford is still "up in the air," while Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports that the Rams remain in the process of evaluating the quarterback situation. With a road matchup in a potentially chilly Green Bay on deck for Week 9 and then a Week 10 bye, it's possible that Los Angeles could decide on rest as the best decision for Stafford's health. Brett Rypien would be in line to start versus the Packers if Stafford is unable to go.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that he's viewing Pickett (ribs) as a game-time decision for Thursday's contest against the Titans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Pickett was forced out of Sunday's 20-10 loss to Jacksonville due to a rib injury, but Tomlin confirms he didn't sustain any structural damage. Tomlin said he will "leave the door ajar" for Pickett to play Thursday, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but that the decision will come down to the quarterback's "ability to throw and his comfort." Mitch Trubisky would be in line to start under center in the event that Pickett isn't able to play with a short window for recovery.

Tannehill (ankle) is not expected to start Thursday versus Pittsburgh, with rookie Will Levis instead in line to lead Tennessee's offense, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Tannehill continues to recover from a right high-ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for Sunday's win over the Falcons. Levis, meanwhile, is coming off a four-TD NFL debut, so it would make little sense for the Titans' coaching staff to rush Tannehill back on a short week if he's anything less than 100 percent. In fact, if Levis manages to impress in prime time versus Pittsburgh, it might make little sense for Tennessee to turn back to Tannehill even when he does get healthy, given the veteran's putrid 2:6 TD:INT through six games.

Levis is expected to start Thursday's game against the Steelers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Levis is coming off a four-touchdown NFL debut in which he led the Titans to a 28-23 win over the Falcons, so he's certainly made a case to keep the No. 1 QB gig. It's also possible that Ryan Tannehill (ankle) simply isn't trending in the right direction to be ready for Thursday night's contest, but if Levis can log another impressive performance in prime time, it could be hard for Tennessee's coaching staff to justify going back to the struggling veteran. Levis connected with DeAndre Hopkins for three scores Week 8 before capping his day with a 33-yard TD to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

Jones (neck) has been medically cleared for contact heading into the Giants' Week 9 game against the Raiders, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.

Jones was reportedly cleared ahead of Sunday's loss to the Jets, though he remained inactive for a third straight game. With fill-in starter Tyrod Taylor (ribs) having sustained a potentially serious injury Sunday, Jones' ability to gain medical clearance comes at a welcome time. Given that Jones has a prior history of neck injury, the Giants could continue to proceed cautiously with his health. As such, Jones could remain a limited participant in practice Wednesday when the Giants begin Week 9 prep, but as long as he practices fully by Friday, he should be in line to start in Las Vegas.

Thompson-Robinson completed his lone pass attempt for nine yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seahawks.

The rookie played one snap -- the first play of the second quarter -- and shoveled a pass to David Njoku. It was Thompson-Robinson's first appearance since Week 4. The Browns have been getting by with PJ Walker as a fill-in for the injured Deshaun Watson (shoulder) at quarterback, and while Walker's managed to pull out two wins in three weeks, he's thrown five interceptions and lost a fumble during that stretch. Two of his three turnovers Sunday led to two Seattle touchdowns, and Cleveland's running game and defense are the main reasons the team has experienced any success at all without Watson. Thompson-Robinson was overmatched in a Week 4 start against the Ravens, but he was put in a difficult position by the coaching staff, which thought Watson would be ready to play that week. A better prepared Thompson-Robinson could get more work if Watson's injury lingers and Walker's turnovers become a bigger issue.