NFL Player News

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that Wilson (shoulder) will be a full practice participant Friday, confirming the quarterback is on track to start Monday's game in Los Angeles against the Chargers, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Wilson was limited in both of the Broncos' first two workouts of the week, one of which was unofficial since Denver didn't need to submit its first Week 6 practice report until Thursday due to the Monday night game. According to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, Wilson's reps were capped to begin the week to afford him more recovery time from an injury to his latissimus dorsi near his right shoulder, which he initially sustained Week 4 in the Broncos' Oct. 1 loss to the Raiders. Wilson received a platelet-rich plasma injection in the shoulder last Friday, one day after the Broncos' 12-9 overtime loss to the Colts in a Thursday night game. The procedure and the extra recovery time ahead of the Week 6 matchup with the Chargers has Wilson feeling "better every day," though that doesn't necessarily guarantee that he'll immediately show improvement after a slow start to his tenure with the Broncos. Through five games, Wilson has completed a career-low 59.4 percent of his passes for 7.4 yards per attempt and a 4:3 TD:INT.

Cowboys president Jerry Jones said Friday that Prescott (thumb) has made a lot of progress and is "throwing the ball with zip," but Jones declined to answer if he expects the QB back for Week 7 against the Lions, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Coach Mike McCarthy added that Prescott increased his activity level at Friday's practice and felt some soreness afterward, but nothing out of the ordinary, putting him on track for a pregame workout before Sunday night's game against the Eagles. While Cooper Rush appears destined for at least one more start, Prescott could get back under center as soon as Week 7 against Detroit or Week 8 at Chicago. After that, the Cowboys have a Week 9 bye, followed by a crucial stretch of games against NFC playoff hopefuls (GB, MIN, NYG in Weeks 10-12).

Interim head coach Steve Wilks confirmed Friday that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Rams, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield (ankle) is listed as doubtful for the contest, but the Panthers haven't ruled out the possibility that he could suit up Sunday as a backup. Additionally, the team could elevate Jacob Eason from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game. Walker thus represents a short-term fantasy option for those who roster Mayfield, are scrambling for a bye week plug-in, or are simply looking to add depth in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.

Mayfield (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Rams after not practicing Friday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Per Gantt, interim head coach Steve Wilks said that Mayfield "had a great workout" earlier Friday, but the Panthers will start P.J. Walker at quarterback on Sunday against the Rams. Mayfield could serve as Walker's backup, but if he isn't available to do so, Jacob Eason will be elevated for the team's practice squad to handle the No. 2 role.

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.