NFL Player News

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wolford was unable to practice Wednesday due to a stiff neck, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The aforementioned stiffness is the result of the hits Wolford took during this past Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, when he filled in for Matthew Stafford (concussion) under center. Wolford completed 24 of 36 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown and one interception while losing one of his two fumbles. He also was sacked three times among 12 quarterback hits. There's an expectation that Stafford clears the concussion protocol ahead of a Week 11 road matchup with the Saints, so if Wolford himself is active, he likely will return to a backup role.

Stafford (concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday and is expected to gain clearance for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Stafford likely will make it back after one missed game, but he'll be rejoining an offense that won't have his favorite target, Cooper Kupp (ankle), for at least the next month and potentially the rest of the season. Kupp's move to injured reserve leaves Stafford with Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek as his most experienced options at wide receiver, while Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins are the top two tight ends.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Heinicke will start Sunday's game in Houston, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Carson Wentz (finger) is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, and a recent report from Sam Fortier of The Washington Post suggested the Commanders were preparing Wentz to reclaim the starting role. Even if that's the case, it apparently won't happen for at least Week 11, giving Heinicke one more chance to make an argument to keep the job.

Rodgers (thumb) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game against the Titans, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Rodgers' right thumb has been the cause for practice limitations for the last six weeks, but it has yet to affect his availability for games. He'll again be without rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. However, other skill-position players such as running back Aaron Jones (shin) and wideouts Allen Lazard (shoulder) and Christian Watson (ankle) will be available, and another familiar target in Randall Cobb (ankle) may be activated from injured reserve for the Week 11 game. As a result, Rodgers could have as close to a full complement of offensive weapons available to him Thursday as he has all season.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Winston may not be 100 percent healthy at any point the rest of this season, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Winston has been able to practice fully for weeks, but Allen continues to stick with Andy Dalton as the Saints' starting quarterback, even though the latter has compiled a 2-5 record in his nods this season. As such, Winston is poised to be the team's No. 2 option and may not get a chance to regain the top spot on the depth chart without an absence from Dalton.

Head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Dalton will be the Saints' starting quarterback Sunday against the Rams, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

During Dalton's seven previous starts this season, the Saints have gone 2-5 to fall to 3-7 overall. Dalton had perhaps his worst performance of the campaign this past Sunday at Pittsburgh, where he completed 17 of 27 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 27-17 loss. Still, Allen will continue to roll with Dalton under center, even though Jameis Winston is seemingly healthy enough to play.

Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks said Wednesday that he would like to give Darnold some snaps in a game before giving him another chance to start, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Baker Mayfield will start Sunday's game in Baltimore, with Darnold serving as the backup and P.J. Walker (ankle) missing the first of what likely will be multiple games. The possibility of Darnold getting some snaps hurts Mayfield's already-limited value, and an in-game benching is in play with any starting quarterback for Carolina this season.

Head coach Sean McDermott said that Allen (elbow) will be a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

McDermott previously told Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com that the quarterback came out of this past Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to the Vikings in a "good spot" in terms of his right elbow injury. However, since the UCL issue is likely to be a lingering concern for Allen, he's expected to have his practice reps managed ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns. Barring any setbacks, Allen is in line to start this weekend, but he may need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid an injury designation.

Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday confirmed Wednesday that Ehlinger will remain in a backup role for Sunday's game against the Eagles with Matt Ryan set to make a second straight start, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Shortly after being appointed as the Colts' new coach last week following the firing of Frank Reich, Saturday indicated that Ehlinger would pick up a third consecutive start. However, once Sunday's matchup with the Raiders arrived, it was Ryan who took the reins of the offense. Ryan completed 21 of 28 attempts for 222 yards and a touchdown while adding 38 yards and another score on the ground as the Colts claimed a 25-20 victory, putting an end to a three-game losing streak. Though the mobile Ehlinger, a 2021 sixth-round pick, has more theoretical upside than the 37-year-old Ryan at this stage of his career, the 4-5-1 Colts aren't yet ready to wave the white flag on the season and will stick with the veteran, who likely gives the team a better chance at remaining competitive.

Rodgers (thumb) was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.

The Packers are facing a quick turnaround for Week 11 with a Thursday night game against the Titans, but Rodgers is now more than a month removed from the right thumb injury he suffered on a Hail Mary attempt in an Oct. 9 loss to the Giants. In the five weeks since sustaining the injury, he has had his practice reps managed to some degree, but he's yet to take a designation into game day. Even if Rodgers' reps are capped again Wednesday, he still appears likely to avoid a questionable tag heading into Thursday's contest.