NFL Player News

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.

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.