NFL Player News

Smith was a limited practice participant Thursday due to a right shoulder injury, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Like wide receiver DK Metcalf (hip), Smith is showing up on the Seahawks' second injury report of Week 14 after avoiding it entirely Wednesday. It's notable that Smith is dealing with an issue to his throwing arm, but with one practice to go Friday he has a chance to put any questions about his playing status behind him ahead of Sunday's contest against the Panthers.

Mayfield is active for Thursday's game against the Raiders, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

As are John Wolford (neck) and Bryce Perkins. It's been a whirlwind week for Mayfield, who was waived by the Panthers on Monday and claimed by the Rams one day later. With only two days to get acclimated to a new offense, Mayfield has a chance to mix into the contest or even be L.A.'s starting quarterback for Week 14, but coach Sean McVay has yet to reveal who between Wolford and Mayfield will be under center for the initial snaps on offense.

Wolford (neck) is listed as active Thursday against the Raiders, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

As are newcomer Baker Mayfield, who was claimed off waivers by the Rams on Tuesday, and Bryce Perkins. Wolford himself had his practice reps managed this week as he continues to deal with a sore neck. Ultimately, his status for Week 14 was contingent on a pregame warmup, which checked out well enough for him to be available Thursday. But L.A. has yet to reveal who among Wolford or Mayfield will be the team's starting signal-caller, which may come down to a game-time decision.

McSorely (illness) was not listed on the Cardinals' injury report Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

McSorley popped up with an illness during Arizona's final practice of Week 12 prep, leaving him inactive against the Chargers. However, he appears to have gotten over this ailment during the Cardinals' bye Week 13. As a result, McSorley should reprise his role as the team's third-string quarterback against New England on Monday Night Football.

Tannehill (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

After rolling an ankle in Sunday's loss to the Eagles, Tannehill was a limited participant in the Titans' first Week 14 practice session Wednesday. The Titans never expressed much doubt about Tannehill's status heading into this Sunday's game against the Jaguars, however, and the quarterback seemed to put to rest any concern about his health by taking every rep Thursday. While Tannehill looks like he'll be good to go this weekend, he may have to make do without top target Treylon Burks (concussion), who sat out practice for the second day in a row Thursday and looks to be trending toward sitting out Sunday.

Lawrence (toe) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Doug Pederson indicated Wednesday that he thought the quarterback may be able to practice at some point this week, with DiRocco suggesting that could occur Friday, with a shorter workout on tap for the Jaguars. Per DiRocco, Lawrence has said that he expects to play Sunday against the Titans, but it seems likely nonetheless that the signal-caller will enter the weekend with an injury designation.

Jackson (knee) didn't take part in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

With two straight absences from practice to begin the week, Jackson doesn't look on track to be available for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh while he contends with a PCL sprain of his left knee. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Jackson's injury typically entails a 1-to-3-week recovery timeline, which supports head coach John Harbaugh's comments from Monday indicating that the star quarterback is "less likely" to suit up against the Steelers. Tyler Huntley, who came on in relief after Jackson's early exit in last Sunday's 10-9 win over the Broncos, thus appears in line to make his first start of the season this weekend.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday that Purdy will take over as the 49ers' starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game against the Buccaneers after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a fractured foot in the team's Week 13 win over the Dolphins, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Though Garoppolo avoided a dreaded Lisfranc injury and won't require surgery to address the foot fracture, Shanahan said Wednesday that a 7-to-8-week recovery timeline is a "best-case scenario" for the veteran signal-caller, who likely won't be available the rest of the season unless San Francisco makes a deep playoff run, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Purdy came on to replace Garoppolo in Sunday's 33-17 win over Miami and acquitted himself well in his first extended NFL action, completing 25 of 37 pass attempts for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The 49ers' decision not to put in a waiver claim earlier this week for Baker Mayfield -- who was ultimately scooped up by the Rams -- seemingly supports the notion that Shanahan is comfortable proceeding with Purdy, a seventh-round rookie out of Iowa State. The 49ers added veteran journeyman Josh Johnson to the 53-man roster Tuesday to serve as Purdy's backup for this weekend's home game versus the Buccaneers.

Wolford (neck), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Raiders, will go through a pregame warmup before the Rams decide on whether he'll start the contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Rams will release their inactive list 90 minutes ahead of the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if Wolford isn't included on the list, he may not be guaranteed to make his second consecutive start like the team planned. If Wolford's sore neck doesn't respond as well to warmups as hoped, the Rams could still keep him available as an emergency backup, in which case new acquisition Baker Mayfield would likely step in to start in his L.A. debut. Despite being claimed off waivers from the Panthers on Tuesday and not arriving in Los Angeles until later that day, Mayfield is already up to speed with the Rams' game plan after practicing Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The Rams also have Bryce Perkins on hand as another option at quarterback, but both Wolford and Mayfield look to be ahead of him on the depth chart.

Mariota will cede the Falcons' starting quarterback duties to Desmond Ridder following the team's Week 14 bye, with the rookie set to direct the offense in his NFL debut Dec. 18 in New Orleans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mariota's benching comes with the Falcons having dropped four of their last five games to enter the bye week at 5-8, which puts Atlanta two games behind the Buccaneers in the loss column for the NFC South lead. Under the stewardship of Mariota, the Falcons offense has been a bottom-five unit in yards per game this season, and the veteran signal-caller has turned the ball over 11 times (nine interceptions, two lost fumbles) through 13 contests. Much like Mariota, Ridder presents a threat as a runner, but the Falcons are likely hoping the rookie third-round pick out of Cincinnati can provide enough of an upgrade in the passing game to keep the team alive in the NFC playoff picture over the final four weeks of the regular season.