NFL Player News

Rodgers (Achilles) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Rodgers was held out of Wednesday's session seemingly as part of a pre-planned maintenance program for his surgically repaired Achilles, but as expected, he was back on the field Thursday, albeit with a cap on his reps. Since having his 21-day evaluation window opened Nov. 29, Rodgers has managed three limited practices over five total sessions. Rodgers has previously stated that he's aiming to return for a Week 16 game against the Commanders on Dec. 24, but the odds of the 40-year-old quarterback playing again this season appear to be dwindling while the 4-8 Jets have started to fade from the AFC playoff picture. Another loss Sunday to the Texans or in Week 15 against the Dolphins could prompt Rodgers to close the door on a return to game action this season, though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network recently reported that Rodgers could be added to the 53-man roster when his evaluation window closes and continue to take part in practices while serving as an emergency No. 3 quarterback over the Jets' final three games.

Beathard (left shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville's franchise QB Trevor Lawrence, who is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, also was limited Thursday after missing Wednesday's session. Friday's injury report will add further context with regard to the duo's status for Sunday's game against the Browns, but Lawrence's ability to practice Thursday has brightened the prospects of him potentially being able to play this weekend.

Cunningham has been elevated to the Patriots' active roster from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Cunningham also was elevated in advance of this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to Chargers but didn't see any action in the contest. This time around, Cunningham is available to provide the Patriots with depth at quarterback and wide receiver and could log some snaps versus Pittsburgh on designed plays behind projected starting signal-caller Bailey Zappe. Cunningham may be more needed at receiver, however, with Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) ruled out and with DeVante Parker (knee) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) listed as questionable.

Thompson-Robinson (concussion) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Thompson-Robinson didn't take a notable step forward in his recovery from a concussion while maintaining limited practice activity for the second day in a row, but his continued presence on the field is at least an encouraging sign. Even so, Thompson-Robinson doesn't look to be trending toward the starting assignment Week 14 against the Jaguars, as Joe Flacco once again worked with the first-team offense Thursday and may be in line for a second consecutive start, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. If Flacco draws the start this weekend, Thompson-Robinson wouldn't be a lock to serve as the No. 2 quarterback, as he still needs to clear the five-step concussion protocol in order to be available. In addition to practicing in full capacity Friday, Thompson-Robinson would also need to attain clearance from an independent neurologist before being removed from the protocol.

Lawrence (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Lawrence is dealing with a high right-ankle sprain, but after missing Wednesday's session, the QB's ability to practice a day later -- albeit capped -- offers hope that he could play through the issue this weekend against the Browns. Unless Lawrence is able to practice fully Friday, however, he figures to approach Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET contest with an injury designation.

Carr (concussion/rib/right shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Carr has opened Week 14 prep with a pair of limited practices, after the trio of injuries knocked him out early in this past Sunday's loss to the Lions. The concussion appears to be the chief concern for Carr at this juncture, considering that he was previously following the five-step protocol after exiting the Saints' Week 10 loss to Minnesota with a brain injury. He wasn't forced to miss any game action thanks to a well-timed Week 11 bye, but Carr could have a tougher time passing through the protocol ahead of this Sunday's contest against the Panthers. In order to play this weekend, Carr may need to practice fully Friday in addition to getting clearance from an independent neurologist. If Carr isn't available Sunday, Jameis Winston would likely step in as the Saints' starting quarterback.

Jackson didn't participate in practice Thursday due to an illness, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jackson practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence from the field a day later is being attributed to an ailment. So long as the quarterback is able to practice Friday, he should be ready to start Sunday's game against the Rams, but fantasy managers will still want to monitor his situation heading into the weekend.

Hill (foot/hand) wasn't on the field for Thursday's practice, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Now that he's missed the Saints' first two Week 14 practices, Hill will likely need to get back on the field Friday in some capacity to put himself in a position to be available Sunday against the Panthers. Hill is coming off a busy Week 13 loss to the Lions in which he played 28 snaps and took a season-high 13 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown while throwing two incompletions and reeling in his two targets for 15 receiving yards. With the status of Derek Carr (concussion/rib/shoulder) uncertain for Sunday, Hill could end up taking more reps under center than usual if he's able to overcome his own pair of injuries, though Jameis Winston would likely serve as the Saints' primary quarterback if Carr can't play.

Jackson (undisclosed) didn't practice Thursday, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Per Mink, this marks Jackson's first practice absence of the season. When speaking with the media after Wednesday's session, the QB didn't indicate anything was wrong, so look for the Ravens' upcoming practice report to provide context regarding Jackson's non-participation Thursday.

Taylor (ribs) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's estimated injury report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants designated Taylor for return from injured reserve Monday, but even with a Week 13 bye in the rearview mirror, the team didn't hold practice Thursday. Still, he wouldn't have had any restrictions if it had done so, meaning he seems poised to serve as Tommy DeVito's backup Monday against the Packers, assuming Taylor is activated ahead of that contest. If not, though, Taylor would yield the No. 2 job to practice-squad member Matt Barkley.