NFL Player News

Pickett completed 19 of 30 passes for 160 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions and added one carry for minus-1 yard in the Steelers' 20-16 win over the Titans on Thursday night.

Pickett remained free of both turnovers and sacks, but he put together his second sub-200-yard performance in a non-injury-shortened game this season. However, the second-year signal-caller did come up big when it mattered most, leading an 11-play, 92-yard fourth-quarter drive that he capped off with a three-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson that proved to be the game-winning score. Pickett had also completed a 32-yard strike to Johnson down the right side earlier in the drive, and he didn't appear inhibited by the rib injury that had forced his early exit from the Week 8 loss to the Jaguars at any point in the night. Pickett next takes aim at the Packers in a Week 10 home matchup Nov. 12.

Levis completed 22 of 39 passes for 262 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and rushed once for two yards in the Titans' 20-16 loss to the Steelers on Thursday night.

Levis went a long way toward proving his Week 8, four-touchdown pro debut against the Falcons wasn't a fluke with Thursday's productive performance on a short week against an aggressive Steelers defense. The rookie showed plenty of grit while taking four sacks and withstanding significant pressure throughout the night, connecting with eight different targets in the process. Levis nearly drove the Titans to a game-winning touchdown late as well before throwing an interception in the end zone with six seconds remaining. Given his body of work over his first two games, it's likely safe to assume there will at least be an internal debate about whether Levis or Ryan Tannehill (ankle) draws the start for a Week 10 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Nov. 12.

Stafford (thumb) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

After he wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of the session, Stafford logged a second DNP to begin Week 9 prep. Because coach Sean McVay considers Stafford day-to-day, the quarterback may not need to log any practice reps this week in order to suit up Sunday at Green Bay. In the end, Stafford's status could come down to reduction of the swelling in his right thumb caused by his sprained UCL. Look for Brett Rypien to get the start in place of Stafford if the latter is unable to gain clearance to play this weekend.

Watson (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

After sitting out all three of the Browns' Week 8 prep while he focused on rehabbing his injured throwing shoulder, Watson appears to be on a better spot on the health front so far during Week 9. He's now been a limited participant in both of the Browns' first two practices of the week, with Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram noting that Watson "threw with more zip than at any point since he was injured Sept. 24 during a win over the Titans" during Wednesday's session. Even so, Watson told Jake Trotter of ESPN.com on Thursday that he's "not sure" he'll be able to play this weekend against the Cardinals, and the Browns could wait until after Friday's practice or even in the hours leading up to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff to make a decision on his status. For what it's worth, Zac Jackson of The Athletic relays that Watson was taking the first reps among Browns quarterbacks during Thursday's practice, perhaps hinting that the team is proceeding as though he'll be available to make the start Sunday.

Murray (knee) was removed from the Cardinals' injury report Thursday but remains on the reserve/PUP list, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Like he did one week ago, Murray followed up a full practice Wednesday with no listing one day later. Last week, though, he ended up being doubtful to play this past Sunday against the Ravens, and the Cardinals didn't activate him ahead of that contest. It remains to be seen how Arizona lists Murray on the team's final Week 9 injury report Friday, but it could be telling for his chances to make his season debut Sunday at Cleveland. He's firmly in the mix to do so after the team dealt Joshua Dobbs to the Vikings on Tuesday, but fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune has been getting the first-team reps this week, while Murray again is throwing passes to members of the practice squad. Ultimately, the Cards will need to activate him from the reserve/PUP list by Saturday afternoon in order for him to have a chance to play Sunday.

Stafford (thumb) wasn't seen during the open portion of Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

If he indeed goes down as a non-participant for a second day in a row, Stafford will have just one more opportunity this week to potentially test out the UCL sprain that he suffered in his right thumb this past Sunday in Dallas. Per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, coach Sean McVay does consider Stafford day-to-day, so the quarterback may not need to practice in order to be active for Sunday's game at Green Bay. If Stafford is unavailable, though, Brett Rypien is set the lead the Rams offense.

Jones (neck) practiced fully Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Jones was medically cleared from his neck injury prior to this past Sunday's loss to the Jets, and coach Brian Daboll paved the way for the quarterback's upcoming return by stating he'd be a full practice participant Wednesday, per Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record. Daboll ruled out Tyrod Taylor (rib cage) on Thursday, leaving Jones and undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito as the potential options to be under center Sunday at Las Vegas. The Giants have yet to officially name a starting quarterback for Week 9, as the team likely wants to see how Jones reacts to consecutive days of on-field work. In any case, with back-to-back uncapped sessions behind him, Jones seems on pace to get the nod this weekend.

Hill (hip) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Hill is coming off his most-productive outing of the season Week 8 at Indianapolis, where he had nine carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns, tallied a 14-yard catch and completed one of two passes for 44 yards. With a hip injury impacting him this week, he may have to return to all on-field work Friday in order to avoid a designation for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Allen (right shoulder) practiced fully Thursday.

After being deemed a non-participant Wednesday, Allen upgraded to full participation Thursday, which sets the stage for the QB to be available to start Sunday night's game against the Bengals in the absence of any setbacks. Friday's final injury report will confirm whether Allen heads into the weekend with a Week 9 injury designation or fully cleared to play.

Fields (thumb) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus hinted Monday that Fields may be able to practice in some fashion this week, but the quarterback has remained sidelined for the team's first two sessions of Week 9 while he continues to recover from a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. Eberflus has already announced that Tyson Bagent will start his third consecutive game this Sunday at New Orleans, so expect Fields to be formally ruled out for that contest following the release of Friday's injury report.