NFL Player News

Herbert (finger) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Herbert sustained a fractured middle finger to his non-throwing hand during the Chargers' Week 4 win over the Raiders, but a Week 5 bye provided the quarterback with some extra time for the injured digit to heal. That being said, Daniel Popper of The Athletic relays that Herbert isn't expected to take any snaps under center in practice this week, though it appears to be only out of a matter of precaution to avoid any further injury to the finger. The fact that Herbert was still listed as a full participant on the first Week 6 practice report puts him on track to start against the Cowboys on Monday, when he'll be taking snaps both out of the shotgun and under center.

Taylor took practice reps with the first-team offense Thursday for the second day in a row and appears to be trending toward the starting nod for Sunday's game against the Bills in place of the injured Daniel Jones (neck), Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.

While the neck injury that Jones sustained late in the Giants' Week 5 loss to the Dolphins isn't considered as significant as the one that kept the signal-caller out for the final six games of the 2021 season, he still appears likely to miss time. Head coach Brian Daboll hasn't yet ruled Jones out from playing Sunday, but in order to be a realistic option to play this weekend, the 26-year-old will likely need to practice Friday in at least a limited fashion after sitting out sessions Wednesday and Thursday. A veteran of 85 appearances and 53 starts over his 13-year NFL career, Taylor represents an experienced fill-in option, though he probably won't make for a viable fantasy option outside of leagues that start two quarterbacks or have a QB flex spot. In addition to working behind a banged-up offensive line, Taylor could be without a couple of key skill-position players, as running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and tight end Darren Waller (groin) are both nursing injuries at this stage of the week.

Seattle signed Ahlers to its practice squad Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Seattle cut Ahlers from its practice squad just after its Week 1 loss versus the Rams, but they've now decided to bring him back into the fold ahead of Week 6. As long as Geno Smith or Drew Lock is available, Ahlers is unlikely to see action this season.

Watson (right shoulder) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Cabot, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said that it's still "up in the air" whether Watson will be able to face the 49ers on Sunday, though he did suggest that the QB could play this weekend even if he doesn't practice. With Watson still not practicing, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com notes that PJ Walker continued to handle first-team signal-caller snaps Thursday.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Jones (neck) won't practice Thursday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Daboll isn't yet ruling Jones out from playing Sunday against the Bills, but with the fifth-year quarterback having now opened Week 6 prep with consecutive absences from practice, he appears to be trending toward sitting out this weekend. Tyrod Taylor will take reps with the first-team offense for the second day in a row and will be in line to start Sunday if Jones isn't available while he recovers from a sore neck.

Smith (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Smith's full participation in the Seahawks' first practice session of Week 6 backs up head coach Pete Carroll's comments from Monday, when he told Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic that the quarterback's knee was "fine." Per Boyle, the injury stemmed from Smith getting his knee twisted up Week 4 at the Giants, but he was able to return and complete 13 of 20 passes for 110 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. With the help of the team's Week 5 bye, Smith is good to go for Sunday's road matchup with a Bengals defense that has given up eight total touchdowns (seven passing, one rushing) to opposing quarterbacks in five games this season.

Ehlinger will operate as Indianapolis' top backup to Garner Minshew beginning with Sunday's game against the Jaguars after Anthony Richardson (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Ehlinger has been inactive for four of the Colts' first five games, with the lone time he's dressed coming in Week 3 at Baltimore while Richardson was sidelined with a concussion. After suffering an AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder in the Week 5 win over the Titans, Richardson is projected to miss 4-to-8 weeks, setting Ehlinger up for an extended run as the No. 2 quarterback. The Colts also signed Kellen Mond to their practice squad Wednesday to provide the organization with further depth at quarterback.

Mannion signed with Minnesota's practice squad Wednesday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Mannion joins the organization after the Vikings placed fellow quarterback Nick Mullens' (back) on injured reserve earlier Wednesday. The Vikings still have Kirk Cousins and rookie fifth-round draft pick Jaren Hall on the 53-man roster, but it's possible that Mannion could be elevated from the practice squad to supplant Hall as the top backup.

Mullens (back) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Mullens will be sidelined until at least Week 10 against the Saints. Rookie Jaren Hall will likely step in as Kirk Cousins' backup while Mullens is sidelined, and Minnesota also signed quarterback Sean Mannion to its practice squad Wednesday.

Walker, who is currently on the Browns' practice squad, will work as the team's No. 2 quarterback ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Meanwhile, starter Deshaun Watson (shoulder) won't practice Wednesday coming out of the Browns' Week 5 bye, and his status for Sunday's game against the 49ers is unclear. If Watson is unavailable this weekend, Walker would be in line to start in his place ahead of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who struggled while starting in place of Watson in the Browns' Week 4 loss to the Ravens.