NFL Player News

Walker started five of his six games played this season, completing 63 of 106 attempts (59.4%) for 731 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Walker was thrust into Carolina's starting role amid injuries to Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Although he led the Panthers to a couple of wins, Walker was inconsistent prior to suffering an ankle injury of his own. As Walker is a restricted free agent this offseason, it may be surprising if he is retained, as his spot with the Panthers was connected to his former college coach, Matt Rhule, who was fired by Carolina early in the 2022 campaign.

Lawrence (toe) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Lawrence has been an injury report regular since hurting his toe in the Jaguars' Week 13 loss to the Lions, but the quarterback has been able to play through the issue since then, and there's no reason to think that will change in the Jaguars' playoff opener against the Chargers on Saturday. Thursday's injury report will reveal whether Lawrence heads into the weekend with or without an injury designation.

Huntley (shoulder/wrist) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Huntley -- who is dealing with tendinitis in his right shoulder -- didn't throw during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, while fellow quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) was also sidelined. With Jackson trending toward missing Sunday's wild-card game against the Bengals and Huntley no lock to be ready this weekend, it's possible undrafted rookie Anthony Brown could draw his second straight start for the Ravens in the team's playoff opener.

Thompson (ankle) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com, head coach Mike McDaniel indicated Monday that Thompson sustained "some bumps and bruises" during the Dolphins' Week 18 win over the Jets, but the quarterback's ankle injury didn't prevent him from participating fully Wednesday. Meanwhile, McDaniel told Louis-Jacques that the Dolphins are currently preparing for Thompson to start Sunday's wild-card game against the Bills, with Teddy Bridgewater still working his way back from a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand as well as a knee issue. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa remains in the concussion protocol and won't be available this weekend.

Bridgewater (finger/knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Bridgewater was limited at practice last week before suiting up for Sunday's win over Jets in a backup capacity behind starter Skylar Thompson. Per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com, head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that the Dolphins are preparing for Thompson to draw another start in this weekend's wild-card game against the Bills, with Bridgewater still working his way back from a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand as well as a knee issue. Top quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has already been ruled out for a third straight game.

Huntley (shoulder) is on the field for Wednesday's practice but doesn't appear to be throwing, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Huntley was held out of the Week 18 loss to the Bengals and may be in danger of missing Sunday's rematch with Cincinnati in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, is absent from practice for a sixth straight week due to a PCL injury. Anthony Brown and Brett Hundley are Baltimore's healthy options at quarterback.

Jackson (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier Wednesday that Jackson is facing an uphill battle to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Bengals, and the quarterback's continued absence from practice would seem to support as much. Since suffering a PCL sprain Dec. 4, Jackson doesn't appear to be progressing as the team had hoped, and he now has only two more chances to practice before the Ravens' playoff opener. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley sat out Week 18 with a shoulder injury and was limited to non-throwing work during the open portion of Wednesday's practice, leaving Anthony Brown and practice squad member Brett Hundley as the Ravens' healthy quarterbacks for the moment.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Bridgewater (finger/knee) is uncertain to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Bills, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been ruled out for the postseason opener, leaving Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson (ankle) as the candidates to start versus Buffalo. Bridgewater was able to suit up for this past Sunday's 11-6 win over the Jets, but since he hadn't fully healed from a dislocated pinky finger, he was limited to a backup role behind Thompson. With Tagovailoa out and Thompson having struggled against the Jets, the Dolphins may view Bridgewater as their preferred quarterback for the wild-card round. Even if that's the case, Bridgewater's health may not permit him to start, as McDaniel said that as of Wednesday, the team is preparing as though Thompson will get the nod Sunday, adding that Bridgewater won't be "able to get many reps, if any" in practice this week, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Unless Bridgewater is able to quickly turn a corner in his recovery from the finger injury and start practicing in full, Thompson looks to be trending toward making a second straight start.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Tagovailoa (concussion) has yet to be cleared for football activities and won't play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Bills, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

According to Furones, the Dolphins are preparing as though Skylar Thompson will make another start at quarterback in the postseason opener, while Teddy Bridgewater (finger/knee) is still working toward being available for Sunday at this stage but apparently isn't progressing from his dislocated finger as quickly as hoped. As for Tagovailoa, McDaniel told Furones that the signal-caller hasn't had any setbacks, but added that there are "compounding variables" that are being considered in determining the 24-year-old's status moving forward, should Miami advance beyond the wild-card round.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Thompson (undisclosed) is preparing to start Sunday's wild-card playoff matchup against the Bills, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Thompson was nicked up with an undisclosed injury following this past Sunday's win over the Jets, but with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) ruled out and Teddy Bridgewater (knee/finger) still not back to full health, Miami is currently preparing as if the third-string quarterback will start versus Buffalo. The rookie's only official start this season came versus New York, but he also played 98 percent of the offensive snaps Week 5. Across those two games, Thompson completed 39 of 64 attempts for 318 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, numbers which aren't cause for inspiration. Bridgewater was active Week 18 as a backup, but the veteran doesn't look like he'll be able to take enough reps in practice this week to put himself in position to start against the Bills.