NFL Player News

Jackson (ankle) wasn't present for the open portion of Wednesday's practice, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Head coach Jesse Minter told Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site Monday that Jackson may "potentially" take part in Week 7 practices, but the quarterback instead will continue to sit out drills, as he's done since Oct. 4. A lingering left ankle sprain is to blame for Jackson's absence, but he at least has two more chances to get back on the field this week. For as long as Jackson is sidelined, though, Tyler Huntley will direct Baltimore's offense.

Head coach Andy Reid said that Rice (hamstring) won't practice Wednesday, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.

Rice emerged from the first quarter of the Chiefs' Week 4 win at Las Vegas with a hamstring injury, but even with the benefit of a Week 5 bye, he hasn't been able to practice in the meantime. He likely will need to mix into drills Thursday and/or Friday to have a chance to return to action Sunday in Seattle.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that Hall (quadriceps) won't practice Wednesday but hasn't been ruled out from playing Sunday versus the Dolphins, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

At the beginning of each of the previous three weeks, Glenn had classified Hall as being "week-to-week" in his recovery from a right quad issue, but the coach didn't apply that same label to the running back to begin Week 7 prep. Though Hall isn't yet ready to practice after missing the Jets' previous three games, he could be able to get back on the field in some capacity Thursday and/or Friday, which would leave the door open for him to suit up Sunday. Whenever Hall returns, he'll reclaim starting duties out of the backfield, though Glenn acknowledged that Braelon Allen is "going to get touches, too" after impressing while filling in for Hall over the past three contests, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that Mitchell (finger) will be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Mitchell will take part in practice for the first time since Week 3, after missing the Jets' last four games due to an injury to a finger on his right hand that he ultimately needed surgery to address. While the wideout's return to practice in any fashion is an encouraging sign, he may need to turn in a full session by Friday in order for the Jets to feel confident in his chances of suiting up Sunday versus the Dolphins. If Mitchell winds up missing a fifth consecutive game, rookie first-round pick Omar Cooper would likely continue to enjoy an expanded profile in the New York passing game behind top target Garrett Wilson.

Browns head coach Todd Monken said that he's optimistic that Sampson (knee) will be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Sampson landed on IR after tweaking his knee in the Browns' Week 1 loss to the Jaguars, but he had his 21-day evaluation window opened last week when he first eligible to resume practicing with the team. The second-year back turned in a pair of limited practices in Week 6 before ultimately sitting out Cleveland's 13-10 win over Baltimore, but if he can upgrade to full participation at some point before Friday, he'll likely get the green light to play this weekend. Once he's reinstated, Sampson will likely settle back in as a pass-catching complement behind lead back Quinshon Judkins (ankle), whom Monken is also optimistic will be able to play against the Titans after being inactive for the Week 6 win.

Browns head coach Todd Monken said that he's optimistic that Judkins (ankle) will be available for Sunday's game against the Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.comreports.

Monken also expressed optimism of fellow running back Dylan Sampson (knee) being available for the matchup with Tennessee, after Sampson was designated for return from injured reserve last week. Per Oyefusi, neither Judkins nor Sampson were listed as expected non-participants on the Browns' pre-practice injury report to begin Week 7 prep, so both backs look poised to practice in at least a limited fashion Wednesday. That amounts to a step forward for Judkins, who was sidelined for the Browns' first two Week 6 practices before practicing in a limited fashion Friday and then ultimately being made inactive ahead of a 13-10 win over the Ravens.

Winston is in line to serve as the Giants' backup quarterback Sunday against the Texans with the team planning to move forward with J.J. McCarthy as its starter in Week 7, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

After Jaxson Dart (knee) went down with a likely season-ending injury in a Week 2 loss to the Rams, Winston stepped in as the starter for the subsequent four games. Though Winston led the Giants to a respectable 2-1-1 record while completing 60.3 percent of his passes for 6.5 yards per attempt and a 7:4 TD:INT during that stretch, he had a rough showing in this past Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Saints before being pulled early in the fourth quarter. McCarthy proceeded to take over under center and nearly guided the Giants all the way back from a 24-point deficit, so he'll be rewarded with the starting nod for at least Week 7. Given that the 23-year-old McCarthy is a recent first-round pick who could have a longer-term future in New York or represent an appealing trade chip down the road, it wouldn't be surprising if he was given a long leash as the team's starter.

Mayfield (thumb) was seen participating in Wednesday's practice and was throwing while wearing a glove on his right hand, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Just as head coach Todd Bowles suggested would be the case Monday, Mayfield was able to get back on the field for the Buccaneers' first day of Week 7 prep in what marked the veteran quarterback's first appearance in practice since dislocating his right thumb Sept. 27. Per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com, the Buccaneers are preparing for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to make a fourth straight start this Sunday at Carolina, but Mayfield could change those plans if he shows that he can grip the football securely and throw without any major hindrance during the team's practices this week. The Buccaneers will release their first injury report of the week later Wednesday, when it will be known whether Mayfield was a limited or full participant in practice.

The Giants plan to start McCarthy at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Texans, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

McCarthy looks set to make his first start of the season and his first as a member of the Giants after an impressive showing in relief of the struggling Jameis Winston during Sunday's 34-27 loss to New Orleans. After checking into the game with the Giants down 24 points with just under 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, McCarthy proceeded to lead a furious comeback bid. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception in less than a quarter of action, leading the Giants into the red zone for a potential game-tying score in the final minute before an incompletion on a fourth-and-1 play sealed the win for the Saints. With franchise signal-caller Jaxson Dart (knee) likely lost for the season, the Giants could be motivated to give an extended look at the 23-year-old McCarthy to see if he can emerge as a viable long-term backup option or a potential trade chip down the road.

Karlaftis registered six total tackles, a sack and two pass breakups in Sunday's 22-6 win over the Chargers.

Though Sunday's contest marked the first time all season that he notched a sack, Karlaftis has been making life difficult on quarterbacks throughout the campaign. Per Pro Football Focus, Karlaftis ranks seventh in the NFL with 27 total quarterback pressures, including 19 over the Chiefs' past two games. Karlaftis has also tallied 21 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception through five appearances.