NFL Player News

DeVito will serve as New York's backup quarterback Sunday, Art Stapleton of USA Today reports.

Daniel Jones (neck) is expected to return as the Giants' signal-caller this Sunday, and with Tyrod Taylor (ribs) missing time, DeVito will serve as the team's second-string QB. The 25-year-old was thrust into action for an injured Taylor during the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Jets, completing two of his seven pass attempts for minus-1 yard while adding 12 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Thursday that Taylor (ribs) won't be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

With Taylor out this week, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports that Tommy DeVito is likely to serve as the Giants' No. 2 quarterback Sunday. Meanwhile, Matt Citak of the team's official site previously noted that top signal-caller Daniel Jones (neck) returned to a full practice Wednesday, which seemingly puts Jones on track to return from a three-game absence to start Sunday's contest.

Coach Sean McDermott noted that Allen (right shoulder) is in line to participate in practice Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

The report adds that Allen -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- is expected to mix into some team drills Thursday, which suggests that the QB will likely be deemed a limited participant. Per Getzenberg, McDermott also relayed that he feels "confident" in what the Bills' medical team shared with him in terms of whether Allen will be ready to play Sunday night against the Bengals.

Watson (shoulder) acknowledged Thursday that he's "not sure" if he'll be able to play Sunday against the Cardinals, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Per Trotter, Watson said that whether his status for Sunday's contest is decided after Friday's game or turns into a game-time decision is up to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Watson was officially listed as a limited participant in his return to practice Wednesday, after he spent Week 8 off the practice field focusing on rehabbing the rotator cuff injury in his throwing shoulder. PJ Walker will be in line to start against Arizona if Watson doesn't get the green light to play.

Murray (knee) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

For a second consecutive week, Murray doesn't have any practice limitations, but his on-field work continues to occur solely with members of the Cardinals' practice squad, per Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com. Meanwhile, rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Tune took snaps from starting center Hjalte Froholdt, and practice-squad quarterback Jeff Driskel also threw passes to players on the team's active roster. There's a chance Murray progresses enough to prove to Arizona's coaches, trainers and medical personnel that he's good to go for Sunday's game at Cleveland. Head coach Jonathan Gannon even told Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com on Wednesday that Murray is "fired up" and "ready to go." Still, Tune appears to be getting the reps consistent with the player who will get the start this weekend, leaving Murray somewhat behind the eight ball.

Mayfield (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.

Mayfield told Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site on Wednesday that he initially banged up his left knee Week 4 at New Orleans and aggravated the injury Week 7 against the Falcons. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Mayfield is dealing with a contusion, but the quarterback relayed that his knee is feeling better by the day, and he intends to play through the injury. Mayfield's activity level to begin Week 9 prep indicates that he's good to go for Sunday's visit to the Texans.

Watson (shoulder), who was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, didn't appear to be restricted with his throwing and took every rep with the first-team offense in the portion of the session that was open to the media, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Watson has sat out three of the Browns' past four games due to a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder, with his lone appearance coming in a Week 7 loss to the Colts and lasting less than one quarter after he was shut down for the day when his ability to throw at full velocity appeared to be compromised. After sitting out all three of the Browns' Week 8 practices while focusing on rehabbing his throwing shoulder, Watson is seemingly in much better condition physically as Cleveland begins Week 9 prep. Jackson was one of several Browns beat writers that came away convinced about Watson's health in his return to practice Wednesday, with Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram going as far to say that Watson "threw with more zip than at any point since he was injured Sept. 24 during a win over the Titans." Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he wasn't yet ready to make a decision on Watson's status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, though Stefanski noted that PJ Walker will draw a second straight start if Watson remains sidelined this weekend. The Browns will likely wait and see how Watson fares during practices Thursday and Friday before providing an update on their plans at quarterback for Week 9.

Pickett (ribs) was listed as a full participant for Wednesday's practice and doesn't carry an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Titans, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Pickett, who was forced out of this past Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Jaguars due to a rib injury, previously stated that he planned to play Thursday. His availability for Week 9 has now been confirmed upon the release of Wednesday's injury report. Now that Pickett's availability has been confirmed, he'll be working with a fully healthy wideout corps that includes Diontae Johnson, who logged 14 targets Week 8 in his second game back from a stint on injured reserve.

Garoppolo has been demoted from the starting quarterback role, with Las Vegas interim head coach Antonio Pierce announcing Wednesday that Aidan O'Connell will serve as the team's new top signal-caller beginning with Sunday's game against the Giants, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports. "We just feel like he gives us the best chance," Pierce said of O'Connell.

After being appointed as the interim coach following the firing of Josh McDaniels earlier in the day, Pierce didn't wait long to make his first major personnel change. Pierce didn't clarify whether Garoppolo or Brian Hoyer will serve as the No. 2 quarterback Week 9, but the 3-5 Raiders appear set to give the rookie O'Connell an extended evaluation in what's shaping up to be a non-contending season. Garoppolo's move down the depth chart comes after he turned in a dismal performance in his return from a one-game absence due to a back injury in a 26-14 loss to the Lions on Monday, when he completed just 10 of 21 pass attempts for 126 yards and an interception while also taking six sacks. Despite missing two of the Raiders' eight games -- he also sat out Week 4 due to a concussion -- Garoppolo leads the NFL with nine interceptions at the halfway point of the season and has regressed mightily from an efficiency standpoint over his past three starts, completing just 62.2 percent of his passes for 6.7 yards per attempt. Garoppolo signed a three-year deal with the Raiders in the offseason that contains $33.75 million guaranteed, but Las Vegas could look to move on from him by next March, when he'll be due a $11.25 million bonus if he's still on the roster on the fifth day of the new league year, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Stafford (thumb) won't practice Wednesday, adding that the quarterback remains "day-to-day," Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Stafford missed the entire second half of this past Sunday's loss at Dallas due to a right thumb injury that he suffered just before halftime. On Monday, McVay termed the issue a UCL sprain, and as of Wednesday, he noted he'll give Stafford "right up before the game" this Sunday at Green Bay to determine whether or not he'll be available. Such comments indicate Stafford doesn't necessarily need to practice Thursday or Friday to be able to suit up. Instead, his availability (or lack thereof) will come down to reduced swelling in his right hand and also grip strength. If Stafford ultimately is unable to go this weekend, Brett Rypien will direct the Rams offense.