NFL Player News

Head coach Bill Belichick noted Friday that Jones (ankle) did more at practice this Thursday than he did last Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, Belichick indicated that the Patriots plan to evaluate Jones on Saturday to see how he feels after three days of practice. Friday's final injury report will add a layer of context with regard to Jones' chances of suiting up Sunday against the Browns, but he's trending toward being listed as questionable for the contest.

Mayfield (ankle) didn't participate in Friday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Earlier this week, Mayfield was spotted around practice sporting a walking boot, but he shed the boot Friday, according to Gantt. At this stage, the quarterback hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, but it's still unlikely that he starts. The Panthers' upcoming injury report will add further context with regard to Mayfield's chances of being in uniform this weekend, but it he's unable to play, P.J. Walker would draw the starting assignment.

Fields said after Thursday's 12-7 loss to the Commanders that he re-aggravated an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

As the quarterback pointed out Thursday, the Bears' next game isn't until Oct. 24 against the Patriots, which will afford him some added healing time in Week 7. In any case, the signal-caller's status will be worth monitoring in the coming days, and he seems likely to be included on the Bears' injury report when the team resumes practicing next Thursday. Fields finished the Week 6 loss with 14 completions on 27 attempts for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception while carrying 12 times for 88 yards.

Fields completed 14 of 27 passes for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception and rushed 12 times for 88 yards in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by the Bears.

Fields put together a third straight serviceable passing performance, but he also took five sacks and couldn't get the Bears into the end zone on either of the final two possessions. In fairness, he came just a yard short of doing so with 30 seconds remaining, but Darnell Mooney bobbled Fields' pass as it hit him in mid-air while crossing the plane of the goal line and he was ruled to only have gained control of it down about a half-yard short of the end zone. Earlier in the game, Fields connected with Dante Pettis on a picturesque, over-the-shoulder 40-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, but he short-circuited an earlier scoring opportunity by throwing a pick on the Commanders' five-yard line late in the first quarter as well. Fields and his teammates will now have extra time to regroup ahead of a Week 7 Monday night road matchup against the Patriots on Oct. 24.

Jones (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Jones now has logged five straight limited sessions, as he works his way back from a high left-ankle sprain. Per Zack Cox of NESN.com, the QB looked more mobile at Thursday's practice than he did last week, which suggests that he has a chance to suit up Sunday against the Browns. Friday's final injury report will add further context to Jones' Week 6 status, but if he ends up being held out this weekend, Bailey Zappe would be in line for his second straight start.

Rodgers (right thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Thus confirming that Rodgers' absence from Wednesday's session was precautionary. He was throwing with a contraption or tape job on his right thumb Thursday, which could be a reality for him on game day. Rodgers thus is in line to face the Jets' 10th-ranked pass defense (205.8 yards per game) Sunday.

Winston (back/ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice.

For a second consecutive day, Winston had a cap on his reps, but it's far more activity than he logged before he didn't play Weeks 4 and 5. Still, he seems to be inhibited by four small fractures in his back and an ankle issue. Ultimately, Winston's listing on Friday's practice report will be telling in terms of his ability to return Sunday against the Bengals.

Taylor was a full participant in Thursday's practice after head coach Brian Daboll said the quarterback cleared the concussion protocol, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

After suffering the concussion while coming on in relief of a banged-up Daniel Jones in the Giants' Week 4 win over the Bears, Taylor wasn't able to clear the protocol in time to play in last week's victory over the Packers in London. Davis Webb was summoned from the practice squad last week to handle backup duties behind Jones, but Taylor looks like he'll be dressing as the understudy this Sunday against Baltimore.

Prescott (right thumb) was limited at Thursday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Prior to the session, Prescott took part in the Cowboys' quarterback school, and there was an expectation that he'd throw to the team's pass catchers afterward for a second day in a row, according to Gehlken. Instead, Prescott was able to mix into drills for the first time since undergoing surgery on the broken right thumb that he suffered in the season opener. It's been reported that Dallas plans to have Cooper Rush earn another spot start Sunday at Philadelphia, but Prescott now could be putting himself on a path to return Week 7 against the Lions.

Prescott (thumb) took part in what head coach Mike McCarthy termed as "quarterback school drills" Thursday and threw to receivers following the Cowboys' practice session, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Dallas listed Prescott as a non-participant for its first Week 6 practice Wednesday, and he'll likely receive the same label Thursday after essentially repeating his activity from a day earlier. Even if Prescott doesn't take a tangible step forward in terms of practice activity this week, his ability to throw and grip the football without discomfort in his surgically repaired thumb over the next few days will be a positive sign with regard to his chances of returning to action Week 7 against the Lions. The Cowboys haven't formally ruled out Prescott from playing in Sunday's game in Philadelphia, but McCarthy already said Wednesday that Cooper Rush is headed for a fifth consecutive start this weekend.