NFL Player News

Fields (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Fields needed just one day to shake off the illness that prevented him from taking part in the Bears' first practice session Wednesday following the team's Week 14 bye. The bye week came at a particularly convenient time for Fields, who sat out the Bears' Week 12 loss to the Jets with a separated non-throwing shoulder before returning to action for the team's Week 13 loss to the Packers. The fact that Fields isn't listed with the shoulder issue on the Bears' Week 15 injury report suggests it's not anything the team is overly concerned about moving forward.

Lawrence (toe) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Last week, Lawrence didn't practice until Friday, so the QB's limited session Thursday bodes well for his availability for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. The Jaguars' final injury report of the week will reveal whether Lawrence heads into the weekend with a Week 15 injury designation, but at this stage there's nothing to suggest that he's in real danger of being unavailable versus Dallas.

Pickett (concussion) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

The report notes that with Pickett still in the NFL's concussion protocol, fellow quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph have been logging added work at practice. If Pickett isn't cleared to play Sunday against the Panthers, it remains to be seen who would be in line to start in his place, with Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com having noted that Trubisky and Rudolph split the Steelers' first-team reps Wednesday, while Pickett went through individual drills.

Jackson (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game at Cleveland.

Jackson will miss his second straight game due to the left knee sprain he sustained in the Ravens' Week 13 win over the Broncos. Given that he hasn't taken the field in any capacity in Baltimore's subsequent six practices, Jackson can't be considered a lock to play Week 16 against the Falcons, at least at this juncture. Though head coach John Harbaugh stopped short of announcing a starter for Saturday's game, Tyler Huntley cleared the concussion protocol Thursday and doesn't carry a designation into the weekend, all but assuring that he'll fill in for Jackson again.

Wilson (concussion) is slated to practice in a limited fashion Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Wilson didn't practice Wednesday, so the QB's looming limited participation Thursday is a step in the right direction for him in advance of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. However, the signal-caller will need to progress fully through the NFL's concussion protocol in order to gain clearance to play this weekend. If that doesn't happen, Brett Rypien would be in line to fill in for Wilson in Week 15.

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Murray is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee at some point after Christmas, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Though Murray's managers in dynasty or keeper leagues would probably prefer that he have his procedure as soon as possible to increase his odds of being ready to go for the start of the 2023 season, Kingsbury suggested that delaying the surgery until after the holiday won't necessarily prevent the quarterback from being ready to go for Week 1. Kingsbury said that he "wouldn't put anything past" Murray, including making a return to 100 percent health from the surgery after eight months of rehab and recovery. Even if Murray were to receive full medical clearance eight months post-surgery, he'll still miss training camp and a portion of the Cardinals' preseason slate. As for the current season, the 4-9 Cardinals plan to have Colt McCoy start the final four games as the team plays out the string.

Lawrence (toe) was present for practice Thursday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Lawrence didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field Thursday bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Cowboys. The Jaguars' upcoming injury report will clarify whether the QB logged a limited or full session.

Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Thursday that Huntley has been removed from the NFL's concussion protocol, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Huntley practiced fully Wednesday, and now that he's cleared concussion protocol, the quarterback is on track to start Saturday's game against the Browns. Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Harbaugh hasn't officially confirmed the Ravens' starting quarterback for Week 15, but there's little doubt Huntley will get the nod with Lamar Jackson (knee) set to miss a second straight contest.

Johnson will likely remain the 49ers' backup quarterback for Thursday's game against the Seahawks with Brock Purdy (oblique/ribs) listed as questionable but expected to start, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Johnson played 11 snaps on offense in relief of the banged-up Purdy in the 49ers' 35-7 win over the Buccaneers, completing one of two pass attempts for 10 yards while carrying twice for three yards. Though Purdy was listed as a limited practice participant Monday through Wednesday and will presumably be at something less than 100 percent health Thursday, he looks set to play through the pain for what will be his second straight start since Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) suffered what was likely a season-ending injury in the Week 13 win over the Dolphins.

Purdy (oblique/ribs), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Seahawks, is expected to suit up and start at quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Official confirmation on Purdy's availability for the contest won't come until the 49ers release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but the rookie signal-caller looks to have made enough progress in his recovery from the pair of injuries to play. The 49ers listed Purdy as a limited participant on practice reports issued Monday through Wednesday, but the 22-year-old was presumably only able to do light activity while the team held walk-through workouts. Head coach Kyle Shahanan suggested earlier this week that Purdy won't risk worsening either of his injuries if he plays against the Seahawks, but the quarterback will likely be playing through some level of pain Thursday.