NFL Player News

Coach Dennis Allen confirmed Andy Dalton (back) as the Saints' starting quarterback Thursday in Arizona, ensuring Winston (back/ankle) will be the team's backup, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

While both Dalton and Winston exited Week 7 prep without injury designations, New Orleans will continue to hold off on reinstalling Winston in the starting lineup due to tending to four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury already this season. Winston instead will serve as the No. 2 for a second consecutive contest, with his next chance to take over the top gig Sunday, Oct. 30 against the Raiders.

Coach Dennis Allen confirmed Dalton (back) will be the Saints' starting quarterback Thursday at Arizona, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

Both Dalton and Jameis Winston (back/ankle) avoided designations for New Orleans' Week 7 matchup, but the team will continue to roll with the former for at least one more game. The team doesn't want to press Winston into action prematurely after he's dealt with four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury already this season. Meanwhile, Dalton will earn a fourth consecutive start under center, which so far has resulted in 585 yards passing, three touchdowns and one interception on the first three occasions.

Jackson (hip) returned to a full practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson was listed as limited Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday puts the Ravens' QB in line to start Sunday's game against the Browns. Given Jackson's proven ability to supplement his passing production with rushing stats, the 25-year-old remains an automatic fantasy play as long as he's healthy and available.

Fields (shoulder) wasn't listed on the Bears' first Week 7 injury report Thursday.

Fields aggravated a left shoulder injury during last Thursday's 12-7 defeat to the Commanders, but with a mini-bye to heal up he's sidestepped the practice report entirely to kick off Week 7 prep. He's thus on pace to face a Patriots defense Monday that has allowed 233.7 passing yards per game and nine touchdowns versus six interceptions to opposing quarterbacks in six contests this season.

Jones (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.

Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Jones appeared to be moving around well at the start of Thursday's practice. At this stage, Jones seems to be trending toward a return to action Monday night against the Bear,s barring any setbacks, but it's still plausible that he'll approach the contest officially listed as questionable.

Prescott (thumb) remained a full practice participant Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After logging a second consecutive uncapped session, Prescott met with the media Thursday. When asked if he was slated to start Sunday against the Lions, he told Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, "I am. I think anyway." While coach Mike McCarthy has yet to confirm as much, Prescott is trending toward resuming his role as the Cowboys' No. 1 quarterback this weekend after missing the last five games due to a fractured right thumb.

Pickett (concussion) practiced fully Thursday, ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports.

Pickett has practiced fully both Wednesday and Thursday, but it's not clear whether that indicates any particular amount of progress in clearing the league's concussion protocol. If Pickett gains clearance he would presumably start at Miami on Sunday night.

Rodgers (thumb) practiced in full Thursday.

As he did last week, Rodgers sat out Wednesday's session before returning to the field one day later with a tape job on his balky right thumb, going down as a full participant. He's thus clear to take on a Commanders defense Sunday that has given up 12 touchdowns versus two interceptions to opposing signal-callers in six contests this season.

Corral (foot) is no longer in a walking boot as he continues to recover from his September surgery, ESPN's David Newton reports.

Corral will still miss the 2022 season, but his current progress from the Lisfranc injury he suffered during the preseason could set him up for a relatively healthy offseason. As someone the Panthers traded up to select in the third round of this year's draft, Corral represents a significant long-term piece for the franchise, which presently carries quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (ankle), Sam Darnold (ankle) and PJ Walker all on expiring contracts. Although a first-round quarterback selection is certainly a possibility next spring as the team sits with a 1-5 record at the moment, Corral at least offers an investment to carry over at the position.

Mayfield (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Mayfield was inactive for this past weekend's loss to the Rams, but the QB clearly is making progress from the ankle injury that he suffered Week 5. That said, coach Steve Wilks relayed Wednesday that PJ Walker would start this Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, with Jacob Eason likely to serve as his backup.