NFL Player News

Lawrence (knee) completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and rushed eight times for 59 yards in the Jaguars' 31-24 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

Lawrence's status was in question right up until pregame warmups, but the third-year signal-caller was able to not only suit up, but also compile a season-high rushing yardage figure. Lawrence hit Christian Kirk with a go-ahead 44-yard touchdown pass with just over three minutes remaining on a slant pattern that saw the receiver curl upfield after the catch and outrun multiple defenders to the end zone. Lawrence also remained interception-free for the third time in four games, and he'll now have a few extra days to strengthen his knee before a Week 8 road matchup against an aggressive Steelers defense Sunday, Oct. 29.

Rourke has been designated the Jaguars' third QB for Thursday night's game against the Saints.

Starting QB Trevor Lawrence, who has been dealing with a knee sprain, is active for the contest, with C.J. Beathard on hand as his top backup. Rourke was signed off the Jaguars' practice squad Wednesday to provide the team with added signal-caller depth ahead of Week 7 action.

Lawrence (knee) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Saints.

Lawrence was listed as a limited participant on the Jaguars' practice reports Tuesday and Wednesday and approached the contest officially listed as questionable, but he'll give it a go Thursday after testing things out with his left knee during a pregame workout. If Lawrence, who figures to be sporting a knee brace, ends up suffering any in-game setbacks, top backup C.J. Beathard is on hand to step in, with Nathan Rourke having been designated as the team's emergency third QB. Six games into the 2023 season, Lawrence has thrown for 1,439 yards with seven TDs and three picks to go along with 33 carries for 147 yards. With his Week 7 active status confirmed, Lawrence now is set to square off against a Saints defense that is allowing an average of 182 passing yards per game, which is the fifth fewest in the league to date.

Watson (right shoulder) was listed as limited at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Watson, who is dealing with a right rotator cuff strain, didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field Thursday -- albeit in a limited capacity -- suggests the QB has a chance to return from a two-game absence Sunday against the Colts. How Watson's shoulder responds to the work he saw Thursday will go a long way in determining which way he's trending ahead of Week 7 action, and if he ends up sidelined again this weekend, PJ Walker would be in line for another start in his place.

Allen (right shoulder) practiced fully Thursday.

Allen was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice, and his return to a full session Thursday paves the way for this week's start against New England. With TE Dawson Knox (wrist) practicing fully and TE Dalton Kincaid clearing concussion protocol, Allen should have all his key pass catchers available against the 1-5 Patriots, who listed 20 players on their Wednesday injury report.

Bagent is expected to start Sunday's game against Las Vegas, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This essentially has been the expectation since Monday when coach Matt Eberflus referred to Justin Fields (thumb) as being doubtful. Fields then missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, moving Bagent one step closer to his first NFL start, though Eberflus hasn't confirmed it would be the rookie filling in for Fields rather than journeyman Nathan Peterman. The Bears opened the season with Peterman as their backup QB before switching to Bagent at the beginning of October. The undrafted rookie then committed two turnovers filling in for Fields during Sunday's 19-13 loss to Minnesota, though he also had a rushing TD and completed 10 of his 14 passes (for 83 yards).

Garoppolo (back) is not slated to play Sunday against the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With Garoppolo, who didn't practice Wednesday, trending toward being ruled out by the Raiders ahead of Sunday's game, either Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell will get the Week 7 start at QB. Assuming Garoppolo ends up missing this weekend's contest, he'll target a potential return to action Week 8 against the Lions (Mon, Oct. 30).

Fields (thumb) didn't practice Thursday.

Coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that he considers Fields doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raiders. The Bears haven't announced whether Tyson Bagent or Nathan Peterman will start if Fields is out this week, though Bagent is the favorite after leapfrogging Peterman on the depth chart at the beginning of the month. Bagent struggled in Sunday's 19-13 loss to Minnesota, however, throwing an interception and having a fumble returned for a touchdown by the defense.

Jones (neck) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic reports.

Jones was limited for a second straight day, with his workload including throws during the media-access portion of practice. The question seems to be whether he'll be cleared for contact in time for Sunday's game against Washington. If not, Tyrod Taylor will make another start.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt confirmed that Watson (shoulder) is slated to participate in practice in some capacity Thursday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Van Pelt noted that Watson, who is dealing with a right rotator cuff strain, is "scheduled to get out there and make some throws" Thursday. The Browns' upcoming injury report will clarify the QB's official participation level, but if Thursday's session goes well, Watson could potentially be in a position to return to action Sunday against the Colts.