NFL Player News

Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Though Jones was spotted on the field Friday, he subsequently was listed as a non-participant at practice and officially ruled out by the team. With Jones unavailable this weekend, Brian Hoyer will draw the start at QB for New England on Sunday. For his part, Jones' next chance to suit up will arrive Week 5 versus the Lions.

Jones (ankle) was present for the start of Friday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Reiss added that during the media-access portion of the session, Jones didn't move around much on his injured left ankle. It remains to be seen how the Patriots list Jones' participation level, but the QB's presence on the field Friday supports the notion there might be some chance he could play through what's been reported as a high-ankle sprain, according to Reiss. Either way, Friday's upcoming injury report will add a layer of context regarding Jones' chances of being available for Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET contest against the Packers.

Prescott still has swelling in his surgically repaired right thumb and won't practice or throw a football Friday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

While set to miss a third straight game this Sunday against Washington, the 29-year-old QB recently said he hopes to make it back for Week 5 against the Rams, though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggested Wednesday that Week 6 against the Eagles is a more realistic target. Either way, Prescott continues to be listed as a non-participant in practice, including this Thursday when he did some light throwing in front of the Dallas media. His practice statuses next week should provide some hint as to whether he has a real chance to play against the Rams.

Dalton is expected to start Sunday's game against the Vikings with Jameis Winston (back/hip/ankle) listed as doubtful, Adam Hoge of AllCHGO.com reports.

The 34-year-old will have to work without Michael Thomas (foot) if he indeed takes the field Sunday, leaving Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry (ankle, questionable) as his likely top wideouts. Taysom Hill (ribs) would, in turn, be in line to act as Dalton's backup. Dalton becomes a fantasy option worth consideration for needy teams in formats that start multiple quarterbacks, if Winston indeed is ruled out for Week 4.

Coach Dennis Allen said Friday that Winston (back/ankle/hip) is doubtful for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Winston has missed three straight practices while dealing with a trio of injuries, and it appears that Andy Dalton is trending toward starting versus the Vikings, while Taysom Hill (ribs) would act as his backup. With Michael Thomas (foot) already ruled out, it will fall to Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry (ankle) to work as the Saints' top wideouts, while Alvin Kamara (ribs) also could see expanded opportunities as a receiver.

Winston (back/ankle/hip) wasn't present at the start of Friday's practice, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Winston and Michael Thomas (foot) both appear to be missing their third straight practice, which doesn't provide optimism for either's chances of suiting up Sunday Versus Minnesota. The Saints' official injury report Friday will provide Winston with an official game designation, but if he can't go, Andy Dalton will be in line to start after a full week of taking first-team reps. Winston is recovering from ankle and hip injuries, in addition to dealing with four fractures in his back.

Tagovailoa (concussion) traveled back with teammates after Thursday's loss to the Bengals and is scheduled for an MRI on his neck Friday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

Tagovailoa traveled back with the team while wearing a neck brace, but initial testing revealed that he hasn't suffered any broken bones. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that current indications about the quarterback are positive, while Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald confirmed that Tagovailoa now officially is in the league's concussion protocol and will continue to be monitored closely. Teddy Bridgewater will be in line to start Week 5 versus the Jets if Tagovailoa isn't able to reach full medical clearance over the next 10 days, and there's no question that the 24-year-old's long-term health ought to be Miami's top concern.

Bridgewater entered Thursday night's 27-15 loss to the Bengals for an injured Tua Tagovailoa (head/neck) with 5:13 remaining in the second quarter and completed 14 of 23 passes for 193 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed once for 11 yards.

Bridgewater turned in the type of performance he was essentially brought to Miami for, using his experience to hit the ground running and immediately complete a 16-yard pass to Trent Sherfield that set the Dolphins up for a 52-yard field-goal attempt, which ultimately was blocked. Bridgewater then helmed a nine-play, 75-yard scoring march on his first full possession, capping it off with a seven-yard touchdown toss to Chase Edmonds. Bridgewater subsequently led another 88-play drive that culminated in a field goal and had the offense deep in Bengals territory late down by only five before throwing an interception at the Cincinnati nine-yard line. Tagovailoa was feeling well enough after being evaluated at the hospital to travel home with the rest of the team per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, but it remains to be seen if Bridgewater will need to make a spot start in his stead in a Week 5 road matchup versus the Jets a week from Sunday.

Burrow completed 20 of 31 passes for 287 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Bengals' 27-15 win over the Dolphins on Thursday night. He also rushed five times for six yards.

Burrow had the benefit of improved pass protection for the second time in four days, and his final line is a byproduct of the extra time he had to scan the field. Burrow averaged an impressive 9.3 yards per attempt and was only sacked once, finishing with a quarterback rating of 115.9 for the night. The third-year signal-caller's most productive connection was with Tee Higgins, who recorded seven receptions for 124 yards and a 59-yard touchdown grab down the left sideline in the second quarter. Burrow closed out his strong effort with a two-yard scoring toss to Hayden Hurst with 1:52 remaining to seal the win, and he'll now get some extra down time before an AFC North road showdown against the Ravens a week from Sunday.

Tagovailoa (head/neck) will be released from the hospital Thursday night and travel back to Miami with his teammates, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Tagovailoa was transported to the hospital after sustaining head and neck injuries in Thursday's 27-15 loss to the Bengals, but he feels good enough to leave the hospital and board the flight back to Miami. Coach Mike McDaniel said after the game that Tagovailoa has been placed in the concussion protocol, per Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network. Tagovailoa will need to clear the concussion protocol over the next 10 days to be eligible to play in Week 5 against the Jets. Teddy Bridgewater replaced Tagovailoa in the second quarter and proceeded to throw for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Bridgewater will start in Week 5 if Tagovailoa isn't ready to return.