QUESTIONABLE (SUNDAY)
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers – Foot
Even though Roethlisberger is listed as questionable, no one is expecting him to play. Despite a noticeable limp, Big Ben did take part in some practices this week after getting out of a walking boot sooner than expected. Roethlisberger should be ready to travel with the team to Seattle after the bye to face the Seahawks.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Vikings – Concussion
Bridgewater is practicing in full and is fully expected to start against the Oakland Raiders. Even though the matchup is very nice, Bridgewater's six touchdown passes in eight games is a depressing figure.
Josh McCown, QB, Browns – Ribs
Gary Barnidge owners rejoice! Despite limited practices, McCown is on track to get the start over Johnny Manziel. Although one shot to McCown's ailing ribs could have Johnny Football quickly inserted into the game.
Matt Forte, RB, Bears – Knee
Forte is expected to miss his second consecutive game. However, the Bears want to keep the Rams guessing if they'll be facing Forte or the rookie Jeremy Langford. Forte has been limited in practice all week and would be hard to fully trust in a rough matchup should he surprisingly be able to suit up.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks – Abdomen
Lynch was banged up on practice Thursday and sat out Friday. The team expects him to play Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals in a big NFC West matchup. If possible, Beast Mode owners should grab Thomas Rawls for insurance purposes.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers – Groin
Lacy has been limited in practice all week, but is expected to play. However, he's been demoted on the depth chart in favor of James Starks. The sluggish Lacy will still be involved, but he'll need to show something in order to earn his carries going forward.
Calvin Johnson, WR, – Lions
Megatron says he will play despite sitting out of Friday's practice. He was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears - Groin
After being limited in Friday's practice, it looks like Jeffery will play. However, the Bears are one of more guarded teams when it comes to discussing injuries. Treat Jeffery like a game-time decision, just to be ultra safe.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos – Ankle
Sanders is a game-time decision after missing practice all week. Back in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sanders caught eight passes for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sanders is a risky start, but worth the gamble if he goes.
John Brown, WR, Cardinals – Hamstring
Brown was active in Week 8, but didn't play a snap as the team opted to hold him back heading into their bye. He's been limited in practice all week and this matchup against the Seattle Seahawks is far from ideal. Even if he's active, Brown's amount of playing time is no sure thing.
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars – Foot
After missing Wednesday and Thursday, Hurns was out of his walking boot and practicing on a limited basis Friday. If Hurns does play, he needs to be deployed by his owners against a terrible Baltimore Ravens defense.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE – Buccaneers
Even though he's yet to be cleared for play, Seferian-Jenkins has been getting into practices over the last three weeks. This looks to be the week in which he finally suits up. If so, it's a big unknown just how many snaps ASJ will see in his first game since Week 2.
OUT
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers – Knee
Kendall Wright, WR, Titans – Knee
Eddie Royal, WR, Bears – Knee
Victor Cruz, WR, Giants – Calf
Breshad Perriman, WR, Ravens – Knee
Larry Donnell, TE, Giants – Neck
PROBABLE (limited practice)
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos – Foot
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys – Knee
Last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bryant tweaked his knee while coming down with a touchdown on a desperation throw by Matt Cassel. Dez played through it and should be fine. The team is just being extra cautious with him this week.
James Jones, WR, Packers – Quadriceps
Jones wasn't added to the injury report until Thursday, which suggests he got banged up in practice. Jones hasn't caught more than two balls in a game since Week 4, so owners may have already been looking elsewhere.
PROBABLE (full practice)
Matt Cassel, QB, Cowboys – Knee
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers – Foot
Williams sat out for precautionary reasons on Wednesday. There is no danger that he misses out on a juicy matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Eagles – Groin
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers – Ankle
Stewart was limited both Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded Friday. He's carried the ball 20 or more times in four straight games and deserved a light week of practice.
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders – Concussion
Barring any post-concussion setbacks, Murray will play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos – Ankle
Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos – Quadriceps
Ryan Mathews, RB, Eagles – Groin
Dexter McCluster, RB, Titans – Ankle
Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins – Back
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots – Knee
After being limited Wednesday and Thursday, Edelman was upgraded Friday.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals – Ankle
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders – Quadriceps
Willie Snead, WR, Saints – Knee
This one is a little odd, but Snead should be good to go. He was limited Wednesday, did not practice at all Thursday, yet was fully participating Friday.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles – Ankle
Riley Cooper, WR, Eagles – Toe
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs – Groin
Owen Daniels, TE, Broncos – Shoulder, Knee
Julius Thomas, TE, Jaguars – Abdomen
Crockett Gillmore, TE, Ravens – Shoulder
Jordan Cameron, TE, Dolphins – Hamstring
IR – Designated for return
Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys – Collarbone
Romo continues to practice with the team and even ran the scout team this week. He's expected to return when eligible in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins.
Player News
NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports Saints QB Derek Carr wants to “see if he can play through with this shoulder injury.”
Slater reports that Carr believes he injured his throwing shoulder in the same Week 14 game against the Giants that he injured his left wrist last season. The shoulder issue was apparently discovered as he ramped up throwing in the spring, not as the season wound down in 2024. Carr has already had surgery on that arm and wants to see if he can play through the injury. Slater adds that Carr made two trips to New Orleans to meet with the team doctor and a decision will be made “sooner rather than later” as the 34-year-old tries to make the best decision for his shoulder and the Saints aim to make the best decision for their franchise. It would be a surprise to see Carr return to start for the Saints, especially without having surgery. New Orleans has signaled an attempt to move on by selecting Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Carr has two seasons left on his four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints and a decision on his future is looming.
9News’ Mike Klis reports free agent QB Desmond Ridder will get a veteran tryout at the Broncos’ rookie minicamp.
Ridder is a former third-round pick of the Falcons in 2022 and started 13 games for them in 2023. Atlanta moved on from Ridder after his 12-touchdown, 12-interception season; he joined the Raiders to play six games and start one in 2024. The 25-year-old is searching for backup jobs around the NFL after throwing for 5.4 yards per attempt and earning a 45.7 PFF grade last season, good for No. 69 out of 75 quarterbacks. The Broncos will bring him into rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, where Ridder looks to earn the chance to compete with Sam Ehlinger for the third-string quarterback spot in Denver.
Bengals DT B.J. Hill was seen in a protective boot at Tuesday’s voluntary workout.
Hill was seen in a protective walking boot for his left foot at the Bengals’ voluntary workout session on Tuesday. It seems to be a new injury for the veteran, though it is not yet clear what the injury is. The Bengals just signed Hill to a three-year, $33 million contract in the offseason and will be hoping one of the investments into their defense gets healthy for the start of the regular season.
The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf reports Brian Schottenheimer was “non-commital” on whether the Cowboys would have a lead back or take a committee approach.
“Schottenheimer wants to see how things unfold during offseason workouts and training camp,” Yousuf continues. It certainly seems to be a situation where Jaydon Blue could carve out a role in a hurry. “If Blue proves himself, he’ll have the chance to carve out a significant role,” Yousuf writes. Certainly nothing we saw from Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders in recent years would lead us to believe that they’ll be blocking Blue if he shows out in training camp.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said he’s “expecting Kyle [Pitts] to take a big jump.”
“Year 2 of the system. Year 2 of understanding what we’re trying to do offensively. All those things that come with it, so expecting a lot of good things from Kyle,” Robinson continued, presumably while trying to sell the people who asked him this question a bridge. The good news for those who would want to buy in on Pitts is, like the Spanish Inquisition, nobody is expecting a Pitts breakout year in his fifth season. He’s now a freeroll. But it’s hard to believe he’ll do any better than low-end TE1 duty this year.
Chiefs signed seventh-round pick Brashard Smith to a four-year contract.
The seventh-rounder figures to be in the passing downs mix after the Chiefs let Samaje Perine walk this offseason. Isiah Pacheco should be the No. 1 back in the room on third downs, but Smith might be the primary competition with Kareem Hunt appearing mostly on run-down snaps last year and Elijah Mitchell having a strong tendency to not be on the field on passing downs in San Francisco. Smith has some intrigue in an Andy Reid offense but will likely have a low floor in 2025 as he attempts to establish himself on the depth chart.