NFL Player News

Zappe could mix in at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Giants, even though Mac Jones is expected to remain the Patriots' starter Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, Jones and Zappe split reps in practice this week, hinting at the possibility that the team could have both players see the field Sunday. Meanwhile, the Patriots waived Will Grier on Saturday and didn't elevate Malik Cunningham from the practice squad ahead of the Week 12 game. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Patriots' quarterback situation, neither Jones nor Zappe look like appealing fantasy options outside of deeper leagues in Week 12.

Rodgers (Achilles) is in New York, pushing to get back to practice, but still has to get the team doctor's clearance before he can resume practice, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."

The implication here is that Rodgers is pushing hard to come back, but he might be pushing too hard, too soon. In such a scenario, the doctors might be "saving Rodgers from himself," according to Glazer. The Jets have already announced that Tim Boyle will start again Week 13 against the Falcons, and Rodgers is said to be targeting the team's Week 16 game versus the Commanders on Dec. 24 for a potential return.

Dalton (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Titans, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The backup quarterback was added to the injury report Sunday morning. Dalton should remain in his role behind rookie starter Bryce Young. The 13-year veteran has played on 77 offensive snaps in 2023.

Keenum (calf) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Keenum will not be considered part of the active roster for Sunday's contest, as Davis Mills is set to back up starter C.J. Stroud. However, the veteran signal caller will likely be suited up as the team's emergency option at quarterback if needed.

Wolford (coach's decision) is inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The 28-year-old will serve as Tampa Bay's emergency third quarterback, and he's able to play if both Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask get injured or disqualified in Sunday's contest. Wolford's last in-game action came in 2022, when he stepped in for an injured Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles.

Woodside (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, but he'll dress and serve as the Falcons' emergency quarterback, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor Heinicke (hamstring) will be active despite drawing a questionable designation, so Woodside will handle his usual role as an emergency option. Woodside won't count against the 53-man roster but will be available if Desmond Ridder and Heinicke are both forced out of the game.

Heinicke (hamstring) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Despite being active, Heinicke will serve as the backup behind Desmond Ridder, who's reclaimed the starting spot after Heinicke struggled through three appearances before suffering a hamstring injury. Barring an injury to Ridder, Heinicke will presumably serve as the primary backup for the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Jones is expected to start Sunday's game against the Giants, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

On Friday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to reveal the team's starting QB, but it looks like Jones, who, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, split practice reps this week about 50-50 with Bailey Zappe, is trending toward getting the initial snaps Sunday. If that's the case, Zappe would be next in line for signal-caller work, either by design to mix him in or should Jones struggle in the contest, given that the team let Will Grier go Saturday and didn't elevate Malik Cunningham from the practice squad ahead of Week 12 action. Considering the uncertainly that has surrounded 2-8 New England's QB situation following the team's Week 11 bye, Jones is a risky option in fantasy lineups, considering that he may be on a short leash, assuming he does indeed take the first snap on offense versus New York.

Dalton is dealing with an illness ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Titans, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The backup quarterback to rookie No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is listed as questionable on the injury report. Dalton has played in three games and on 77 offensive snaps this season.

Burrow is set to undergo surgery Monday to repair the torn ligament in his right wrist, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Burrow will miss the rest of the season after Cincinnati placed him on injured reserve Saturday, just over a week after he suffered the injury in the Bengals' Nov. 16 loss to the Ravens. The expectation is that Burrow will make a full recovery in advance of the 2024 season, but the Bengals will turn the offense over to Jake Browning beginning with this Sunday's game against the Steelers.