NFL Player News

McCarthy will start at quarterback in Week 7, coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday.

Things had been trending in this direction after McCarthy's impressive performance in relief of Jameis Winston in Week 6. Giants coach John Harbaugh made it official Wednesday afternoon as the team looks to see what it has in the recently acquired McCarthy. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards with a touchdown and a pick in limited action against the Saints and had a pair of 40-yard completions.

Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that Jackson got some "limited" work in with the team during Wednesday's practice, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Per Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore, Jackson appeared to be walking with a limp Wednesday and didn't seem to be dressed for practice as if he participated, but the two-time MVP was apparently able to mix into drills on some level. Though backup Tyler Huntley presumably still took at least some reps with the first-team offense in case he's needed to make a third consecutive start Sunday versus the Bengals, Jackson could be ready to make his return to the lineup if his ankle responds well to on-field work over the next couple of days.

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.

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.

The Texans cut Gronowski from the practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's the third time this season that Gronowski has been let go by the Texans. He was let go twice from the practice squad and once from the 53-man roster. The undrafted rookie quarterback could stick around in Houston for another opportunity or explore his options elsewhere.

The Cowboys signed Trask to the practice squad Tuesday.

Trask is best known for his time with the Buccaneers. In seven regular-season appearances with Tampa Bay, the 2021 No. 64 overall pick attempted only 11 passes, completing four of them. Trask is seemingly a long way from being active for an NFL game and may only see the field as an emergency quarterback. That likely won't change as long as Dak Prescott and Sam Howell are available.

Daniels completed 29 of 40 passes for 300 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding four rushes for 10 yards in the Commanders' 23-17 loss to the 49ers on Monday night.

Daniels' final numbers won't displease fantasy managers by any stretch, but the athletic signal-caller didn't really get the Commanders' offense going until the second half. Daniels put the Commanders' first touchdown of the night on board in the waning seconds of the third quarter when he connected with Stefon Diggs from one yard out, and he followed it up with a 10-play, 90-yard march early in the fourth quarter that he capped off with a nine-yard touchdown toss to Rachaad White. However, Daniels and the Commanders came up empty on a subsequent 13-play drive that ended on downs, and the 2024 first-round pick then took a sack on the game's final play after triggering a 10-second runoff with an intentional grounding penalty on the prior snap. Despite the disappointing outcome, Daniels has been solid in his first two games back from an elbow injury, and he'll next face off with the Eagles at home on Sunday night, Nov. 1, following a Week 7 bye.

Purdy completed 21 of 29 passes for 264 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding five rushes for 28 yards in the 49ers' 23-17 win over the Commanders on Monday night.

Purdy took multiple sacks for the second straight game after not being taken down over the first four contests, but the veteran signal-caller otherwise had a mostly clean night that included a robust average of 9.1 yards per attempt. Purdy's passing yardage total was also his third highest of the campaign, and he kept his season-long touchdown-pass streak alive when he connected with George Kittle on an 11-yard scoring strike to cap off the opening drive of the night. Purdy completed passes to seven different targets overall, and he now boasts a 14:2 TD:INT heading into a Week 7 road matchup against the Falcons on Sunday.