NFL Player News

Mariota (knee) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Mariota was forced to miss the Commanders' contest versus the Giants in Week 5 after spraining his MCL in Week 4 versus the Colts, and now his availability for Monday's game at San Francisco is in doubt. Unless he's able to return to practice in some capacity Friday or Saturday, rookie seventh-rounder Athan Kaliakmanis projects to continue to operate as Jayden Daniels' primary backup in Week 6.

Ehlinger (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against Seattle, though he is listed as the emergency quarterback, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

While Ehlinger is inactive for this contest, he will be available if Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham exit due to injury, illness or ejection.

Milroe (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against Denver, though he will once again serve as the Seahawks' emergency quarterback.

With Sam Darnold and Drew Lock active, Milroe will be available only if one of those players exits the contest due to injury, illness or ejection.

Jackson (ankle) officially went down as a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Jackson wasn't spotted by reporters earlier in the day, and Baltimore's injury report confirms his second absence in as many days to begin Week 6 prep. The Ravens haven't given up hope regarding their starting QB returning for Sunday's pivotal game in Cleveland, but it would take a return to practice in some capacity from Jackson to provide real optimism regarding his status. Tyler Huntley would make a second consecutive start should Jackson sit out Sunday.

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said Thursday that Mayfield's right thumb is "just not quite ready" this week, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Mayfield officially hasn't practiced so far this week due to the dislocated right thumb that he sustained back in Week 3 against the Vikings, but head coach Todd Bowles told Greg Auman of Fox Sports that the quarterback was slated to attempt throwing Wednesday. Clearly, Mayfield is making progress away from the practice field, but until he mixes into drills in some capacity, he'll continue to cede starts to undrafted rookie signal-caller Jalon Daniels on game days.

Williams (hamstring) said Thursday that he doesn't know if he'll play this weekend against Atlanta because he still has medical protocols to complete, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Williams is trending in the right direction but there are still some hurdles he'll need to clear before he's plugged back into the lineup. He told reporters Thursday, after logging a full practice, that he suffered a hamstring tear in Week 2 against the Vikings. Provided that Williams can pass a battery of tests on his hamstring before Sunday, he should be in position to return. Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum would be next up if Williams is unable to go against the Falcons.

Penix (ribs) practiced without limitations again Thursday, Daniel Flick of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Penix has faced no limitations in Atlanta's first two practices ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, suggesting that he's good to go after subbing out late in this past Sunday's overtime loss to the Ravens, in which Tua Tagovailoa threw the game-losing interception in OT. The Falcons have scored 34.3 points per game in Penix's three starts after averaging 8.0 PPG in the first two games of the season while Penix was wrapping up the rehab on his torn ACL.

Williams (hamstring) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.

After opening the week listed as full on Wednesday's estimated injury report after a walkthrough, Williams was able to handle an entire practice one day later, giving him a great chance to resume starting QB duties for the Bears in Week 6. He's been sidelined the past three games due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain that he suffered in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 loss to the Vikings, and while head coach Ben Johnson hasn't announced a starter for Sunday's contest in Atlanta, he seemingly will do so by week's end considering Williams' activity level so far this week.

McKee appears lined up to start Sunday's game against the Panthers after the Eagles announced Wednesday that Jalen Hurts has been ruled out for Week 6 due to a superficial blood clot on his calf, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

While the Eagles could look to re-sign the recently released Andy Dalton to give the quarterback room another experienced option in Hurts' absence, McKee looks poised to draw the start after moving ahead of Dalton on the depth chart prior to Week 4. Hurts' availability beyond Week 6 is in flux while the Eagles determine the appropriate course for his treatment, so McKee could be headed for a multi-game run as the team's starter. A 2023 sixth-round pick, McKee has appeared in just six games (two starts) during his four-year career, completing 54 of 88 pass attempts (61.4 percent) for 597 yards (6.8 YPA) and a 5:1 TD:INT. Assuming he starts, McKee may have few weapons at his disposal, as running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and wideout DeVonta Smith (hamstring) were absent from practice Wednesday and could be tracking toward sitting out this weekend.

Jackson (ankle) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Jesse Minter has stated that Jackson doesn't necessarily need to practice in order to take the field Sunday against the Browns, but a return to practice in any capacity Friday certainly wouldn't hurt considering Jackson hasn't practiced or played since the first half of Baltimore's Week 4 win over the Titans. Tyler Huntley finished out that victory and guided the Ravens to an overtime win over the Falcons in Week 5. Huntley would make a second consecutive start in Sunday's clash between AFC North rivals if Jackson is ultimately unable to play.