NFL Player News

Ridder isn't expected to receive an opportunity to displace incumbent Marcus Mariota as the Falcons' starting quarterback so long as Atlanta remains in playoff contention, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After the Atlanta offense floundered in consecutive losses to the Chargers and Panthers, Mariota's job status has come into question. Even though Mariota has completed just 61.9 percent of his attempts and has cleared 200 passing yards on only three occasions this season, he's amassed 347 yards on the ground and has accounted for 15 touchdowns to help keep the Falcons reasonably competitive. Even though Atlanta enters Sunday's matchup with the Bears sitting on a 4-6 record, the Falcons are just one game out of first place in the NFC South, so head coach Arthur Smith will continue to stick with the veteran quarterback for the time being rather than getting an early evaluation on Ridder, a rookie third-round pick out of Cincinnati. Like Mariota, Ridder, who has yet to make his NFL regular-season debut, offers some upside as a runner that would presumably allow Atlanta to run a similar offense if Smith opts for a change at quarterback later this season. Ridder acquitted himself reasonably well in three preseason appearances, completing 34 of 56 attempts (60.7 percent) for 431 yards (7.7 YPA), three touchdowns and two interceptions while carrying eight times for 58 yards.

Jackson (illness), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, remains on track to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jackson is also expected to have his top target, Mark Andrews (shoulder/knee), available, as both he and the tight end are on track to be officially cleared when the Ravens release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Though Jackson was held out of Friday's practice on account of the illness, he's apparently made enough progress in the 48 hours since to take the field Sunday without any restrictions. Fantasy managers who have been regularly including Jackson in lineups all season can probably feel comfortable rolling him out Week 11 while he faces a Panthers defense that ranks in the bottom 10 of the NFL in both yards and points per game allowed.

The Falcons intend to stick with Mariota as their starting quarterback for as long as the team remains in playoff contention, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Atlanta is coming off two straight losses with Mariota under center, but the team remains just one game out of contention for first place in the NFC South heading into Sunday's matchup against the Bears. Head coach Arthur Smith reportedly isn't considering any changes to the quarterback position, even with rookie third-round pick Desmond Ridder awaiting a chance to be evaluated. It's possible, however, that if the Falcons were to fall out of playoff contention, the situation could be revisited. Mariota has surpassed 200 passing yards in only three of 10 appearances this season, though his 347 rushing yards and three scores on the ground have added a dynamic aspect to Atlanta's offense.

The Commanders are expected to proceed with Heinicke as the starting quarterback to finish the 2022 season, unless his performance necessitates a change, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Heinicke has won three of his four starts this season, with six touchdowns (one rushing) and four interceptions in that span, and his command of the offense has evidently convinced Washington's coaching staff that the starting job should be his to keep. Even with Carson Wentz (finger) eligible to come off IR and rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell waiting in the wings, it appears that Heinicke will be able to avoid any sort of quarterback controversy as long as he's able to look the part. Sunday's matchup against the Texans offers the 29-year-old an ideal opportunity to take advantage of a less-than-stellar defense, especially if he can keep up his rapport with top target Terry McLaurin, who has two 100-yard games in Heinicke's four starts.

Murray (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the 49ers, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury hinted Murray would be a game-time decision earlier this week and the team's final injury report seems to follow that cadence. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy does not carry an injury designation into the pivotal divisional matchup, so it'll be interesting to see how the Cardinals choose to operate. It's unclear if the Mexico City location for Monday's prime-time game plays a part in the equation, but either way expect more information prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET start time.

McCoy (knee) practiced in full Friday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

McCoy appears to be a step ahead of No. 1 quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) with their respective levels of health. While McCoy followed Thursday's limited session with all activity one day later, Murray has logged back-to-back capped practices to begin Week 11 prep. How both fare Saturday likely will be the deciding factor for coach Kliff Kingsbury ahead of Monday's game versus the 49ers, but McCoy seems to have a chance to earn a second straight start in place of Murray.

Wolford (neck) is questionable for Sunday's road matchup with the Saints, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Wolford didn't practice Wednesday due to a neck injury, returned as a limited participant Thursday and logged a full session Friday, but he's ultimately been deemed questionable. Matthew Stafford (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation after missing Week 10, so if Wolford is sidelined, Bryce Perkins likely would operate as the primary backup behind Stafford during Week 11.

Stafford (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Stafford returns after missing a game, but his offensive line still is banged up, and now he won't have star wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle, IR). The New Orleans defense isn't in much better shape with four starters ruled out on the final injury report, including top cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and DEs Cameron Jordan (eye) and Marcus Davenport (calf).

Jackson (illness), who missed Friday's practice, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Panthers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Earlier Friday, coach John Harbaugh announced Jackson's absence was related to an illness, but he also expects the quarterback to be well enough to start for the Ravens in Week 11, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Still, with a designation attached to Jackson heading into the weekend, his status won't be officially confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Allen (right elbow) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Browns in Detroit.

Unlike last week, there's no uncertainty surrounding the status of Allen's right elbow ahead of kickoff. However, due to a Lake Effect Snow Warning in the Buffalo area, the NFL moved the Bills' Week 11 home matchup to a neutral site, with the same start time of 1:00 p.m. ET. Allen thus will be taking on a Cleveland defense that has given up the seventh-most yards per attempt (7.6) to opposing quarterbacks this season in the cozy confines of Ford Field.