NFL Player News

The Eagles have ruled Hurts out for Sunday's game against the Panthers after a follow-up ultrasound performed on his calf Wednesday revealed movement in a small blood clot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

According to a statement from the team, Hurts requested treatment for his calf last Thursday, a few days after he had been cleated in the leg during the team's Week 4 loss to the Rams. Hurts underwent an initial ultrasound Saturday following the Eagles' flight to London, with the imaging revealing the superficial blood clot. After the results of the ultrasound were reviewed, doctors determined that Hurts could safely play in the Eagles' eventual 19-17 loss to the Jaguars. However, after practicing fully Wednesday to kick off Week 6 prep, the quarterback had another follow-up ultrasound that showed movement in the blood clot. As a result, the Eagles have elected to hold Hurts out of action for at least one game, with backup Tanner McKee now primed to start against the Panthers. Since the Eagles are still in the process of determining the appropriate course of treatment for Hurts, his status beyond Week 6 is uncertain at the moment.

Mayfield (thumb) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Mayfield has yet to practice or play since sustaining a thumb injury late in Tampa Bay's Week 3 loss to the Vikings. He looks to be headed for a third consecutive absence Sunday against the Steelers, which would pave the way for Jalon Daniels to remain in the starting role under center. Daniels guided the Buccaneers to a win over Dallas in Week 5 after losing to the Packers in Week 4.

Giants head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that he plans to keep using McCarthy in a change-of-pace role behind starting quarterback Jameis Winston in an effort to take advantage of McCarthy's scrambling ability, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Acquired from the Vikings on Sept. 28, McCarthy has suited up for both of the Giants' ensuing two games but didn't make his team debut until this past Sunday's 27-27 tie with the Commanders. He ended up replacing Winston under center for five snaps, gaining two yards on two carries and having two of the plays wiped out by penalties. Despite the meager returns in his package of plays last week, McCarthy looks like he'll remain a marginal part of the game plan in Week 6 against the Saints. Harbaugh has given no indication that McCarthy will take over for Winston as the team's starter anytime soon.

Lock (forearm) won't carry an injury designation into Thursday night's matchup with Denver, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Lock remained limited at practice for the third straight day Friday as he continues to deal with a right forearm injury, but the quarterback will be good to go for Week 6. The 29-year-old will operate in his typical role as the team's primary backup behind starting quarterback Sam Darnold on Thursday night versus the Broncos.

Jackson (ankle) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Sam Cohn of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Jackson was sidelined for a fourth consecutive practice, after his sprained left ankle kept him from logging any on-field reps in Week 5 before he was ruled out ahead of the Ravens' eventual 30-23 overtime win over the Falcons last Sunday. Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, head coach Jesse Minter said after Wednesday's session that Jackson is considered day-to-day, and the Ravens aren't yet ruling him out from starting this Sunday against the Browns. If Jackson ends up missing another game, Tyler Huntley would direct the Baltimore offense for a second straight week.

Penix (ribs) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Penix suffered a rib injury late in the fourth quarter of this past Sunday's loss to the Ravens, which didn't allow him to take the field for the Falcons' only possession of overtime. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com that Penix was slated to be limited at Wednesday's practice, but afterward the quarterback himself relayed to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, "We're good, and I feel good to go this week, so that's the plan. ... It's not always comfortable, but I made every throw out there today." Penix's subsequent full listing indicates as much, and he'll remain Atlanta's QB1 for Sunday's contest against the Bears.

Mayfield (right thumb) officially didn't practice Wednesday.

However, head coach Todd Bowles said that Mayfield will attempt to throw Wednesday afternoon as he progresses in his recovery from a dislocated right thumb, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. It remains unclear if Mayfield will be able to mix into any drills Thursday and/or Friday, but if he does, it'll mark his first on-field activity since initially suffering the injury in Week 3 against the Vikings. In Mayfield's stead, undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels has directed to Buccaneers to a 1-1 record.

Jackson (ankle) wasn't present for the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Jackson missed the Ravens' Week 5 win in Atlanta due to a left ankle injury suffered one week prior, and while head coach Jesse Minter told Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com on Monday that the quarterback is "definitely doing better," his potential lack of activity to begin Week 6 prep isn't a great sign. Wednesday's practice report will unveal whether or not Jackson was able to mix into drills.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that Williams (hamstring) will listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Chicago is holding a walkthrough to begin Week 6 prep, but Williams' full listing on the injury report is a positive indicator that Johnson is preparing for him to start Sunday in Atlanta. Assuming Williams experiences no setbacks in his recovery from a Grade 2 right hamstring strain while practicing throughout the week, he should get the green light to return to action against the Falcons following a three-game absence. Chicago has gone 2-1 without their top quarterback over the past three weeks, with Tyson Bagent directing the offense for two of those contests and Case Keenum starting the other.

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix (ribs) will practice Wednesday but will be limited in some fashion, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Penix was sidelined for the extra period of Sunday's 30-23 overtime loss to the Ravens due to the rib injury, which he sustained when he was sacked late in the fourth quarter. While Stefanski didn't go into any specifics regarding the extent of Penix's injury, the coach said that the 26-year-old quarterback should be on track to start this coming Sunday against the Bears "as long as everything goes accordingly" in practice this week, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site. Penix looks as though he'll be listed as limited on the Falcons' initial Week 6 injury report, but he'll likely be locked in for the start if he's able to practice fully Thursday and/or Friday.