Oct 2, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giants QB Daniel Jones (ankle) on track to play vs. Packers in London

The New York Giants believe quarterback Daniel Jones is on track to play in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers in London.

Jones sprained his ankle during last Sunday’s 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears. He had to come back into the game after backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a concussion.

Jones was a limited participant in practice for the second straight day. Reports said he looked “comfortable” while running during the open-media portion of Thursday’s practice.

“He was running around and doing everything that we are asking him to do from a practice standpoint,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka told reporters.

Coach Brian Daboll said Jones was “no worse” Thursday after the Giants increased his number of reps.

Taylor is not expected to clear concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game. If Jones can’t play, it would leave practice squad quarterback Davis Webb to make his first career start.

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring) went from a limited practice participant on Wednesday to a non-participant Thursday. Receiver Richie James (ankle) and safety Julian Love (concussion, non-contact) were upgraded to limited participants Thursday after missing Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) getting second opinion

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is heading to New York for a second opinion on his sprained ankle, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Jones is expected to see Dr. Martin O’Malley at the New York Hospital for Special Surgery. O’Malley has expertise in sports injuries of the foot and ankle, including reconstructive surgery.

The second opinion is to help determine, in part, whether Jones will need surgery for the injury, which reportedly is a high ankle sprain. The Patriots have yet to reveal an official diagnosis.

After tossing an interception on the final play of New England’s 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Jones was brought to the ground by Calais Campbell and his ankle got caught under Campbell’s leg. Jones hopped off the field on one foot and was seen grimacing in pain on the sideline.

Jones had to be carried into the locker room and was screaming in pain in the tunnel.

Jones completed 22 of 32 passes for 321 yards and three interceptions against the Ravens. He also rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Brian Hoyer is the Patriots’ backup QB and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe is also on the 53-man roster. New England (1-2) plays at Green Bay (2-1) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs with the ball against New York Giants defensive back Fabian Moreau (37) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (ankle) limited in practice

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice Thursday by an ailing ankle but is expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

McCaffrey took his scheduled day off on Wednesday, and on Thursday, his ankle was stiff. He didn’t show signs of discomfort, per the team website.

McCaffrey, 26, played in just 10 of a possible 33 games over the past two seasons due to ankle and shoulder injuries. But he is dangerous when healthy and has gained 3,722 rushing yards and 3,065 receiving yards with 31 rushing touchdowns and 17 receiving scores in 60 games (54 starts) over five-plus NFL seasons.

Last Sunday, in a loss to the New York Giants, McCaffrey ran for 102 yards — his first 100-yard rushing game since 2019, when he was an All-Pro.

Cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) also limited was limited in practice Thursday for the second straight day.

Linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) and cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver III (Achilles) were listed as limited participants in Thursday’s practice after having no designation on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is pressured by linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson questionable for Ravens vs. Rams

Lamar Jackson could make his return from injury Sunday for the Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson is listed as questionable on Baltimore’s injury report for the game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams despite sitting out the last two days of practice with an ongoing ankle injury.

Jackson injured the ankle in Week 14, a loss to the Cleveland Browns, and missed the past two games. The 2019 NFL MVP was limited in practice Wednesday before sitting out the following two days.

“I think he’s got a chance to play on Sunday,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters. “We’ll have to see. This time of year … it’s all hands on deck. Guys who are ready to play and can play will.”

If Jackson can’t go, the Ravens will turn to Tyler Huntley to start at quarterback. Huntley started in Week 15 in a 31-30 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but COVID-19 forced him to miss last week’s 41-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, when third-stringer Josh Johnson took the reins.

Huntley came off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday and returned to practice.

Jackson, 24, has thrown for 2,882 yards with 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 12 games this season. He also has rushed 767 yards and two scores.

Baltimore (8-7) also ruled out two players for the Rams game: cornerback Anthony Averett (ribs, chest) and guard Ben Powers (foot). Other players deemed questionable include receiver Marquise Brown (non-COVID illness), receiver Devin Duvernay (ankle) and fullback Patrick Ricard (knee). Linebacker Odafe Oweh (foot) is doubtful.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) rushes against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jets S Marcus Maye out 3-4 weeks with ankle injury

New York Jets safety Marcus Maye did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, and NFL Network and ESPN reported that he was likely to miss three to four weeks.

Maye’s appearance on the injury report was a surprise. He has played 100 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps this season.

Maye, 28, is playing on the franchise tag in his fifth season in the NFL. Originally a second-round pick in 2017 — the same year the Jets selected safety Jamal Adams in the first round — Maye turned into one of the most important players on that side of the ball for New York, especially after the Jets traded Adams to Seattle last year.

Maye has recorded 23 tackles, one sack and one pass deflection in three starts this season. In 57 career games (all starts), he has six interceptions and 289 tackles.

The Jets (0-3) were already missing Lamarcus Joyner, signed in the offseason to start at the opposite safety position. Joyner tore a tendon in his arm in the season opener against the Carolina Panthers. Another free-agent addition, pass-rusher Carl Lawson, tore his Achilles during a joint practice with Green Bay during training camp.

The Maye news landed the same day that Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith sustained a concussion in a car accident while driving to the team facility in New Jersey.

–Field Level Media

Saints' Michael Thomas (13) makes a reception over Eagles' Darius Slay (24) Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 24-21.

Jl Eagles 121320 08

Reports: Michael Thomas joining Saints for preseason game

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas will be on the sideline Saturday when his team visits the Baltimore Ravens for a preseason game, multiple media outlets reported.

Thomas will not be playing in the contest after undergoing ankle surgery in June, yet reports earlier in the week underscored discord between the player and team before he showed up for mandatory minicamp.

Earlier this week, Thomas took to social media to accuse the Saints of trying to damage his reputation over his ankle injury.

Thomas’ tweet on Monday came two days after The Times-Picayune reported that Saints’ officials were displeased with Thomas for his decision to elect rehab over surgery until June. Further, Thomas reportedly ignored offseason calls from the Saints checking in on his progress with rehab.

Thomas injured the ankle in Week 1 of the 2020 season and played in just seven games, finishing with 40 catches for 438 yards and no touchdowns.

Thomas, 28, is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. He set the league’s single-season record in 2019 with 149 receptions for a league-best 1,725 yards.

Thomas signed a five-year, $96.3-million contract extension in 2019. He is due to earn $12.6 million in 2021 between base salary and a restructured bonus.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) holds on to the ball while being tackled by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24)  during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Saints in ‘wait and see’ mode with WR Michael Thomas

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is set to test his injured ankle in practice on Wednesday, opening the possibility he will play in Sunday’s NFC wildcard game against the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Sean Payton plans a cautious approach with Thomas, with the expectation he will be limited to side work with trainers for at least the first two practices this week.

Thomas was placed on injured reserve to allow his high ankle sprain to heal. The ankle has been problematic since midseason for Thomas, a 2019 All-Pro who had 149 receptions a year ago.

Thomas had 40 receptions in 2020.

“Currently he’s still on reserve-injured. I know he’s been working at it. But we’ll get a better feel this week how he’s progressing,” Payton said Wednesday.

The Saints are 9.5-point favorites over the visiting Bears in a rematch of their Nov. 2 overtime game at Soldier Field. The Saints won that game, 26-23, but blew a 10-point lead.

Thomas did not play in that game and last took the field Dec. 13.

His long reception this season was just 24 yards. Last season, he had at least a 24-yard gain in 12 games, including the wildcard loss to the Vikings.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) is unable to control the ball as Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) defends in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Saints WR Thomas (ankle) sits out again

Wide receiver Michael Thomas missed a second consecutive practice Thursday due to an ankle injury.

New Orleans faces the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Thomas missed six games with an ankle injury suffered in Week 1. He also had a quadriceps strain and was suspended for one game by the team.

The Saints are also contemplating activating quarterback Drew Brees for Sunday’s game. Brees has missed four games with multiple rib fractures. Without him, New Orleans is 3-1 and Taysom Hill has accounted for 1,043 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns.

Head coach Sean Payton said Brees is limited but could be ready by Sunday.

“It’s just functionality, strength, throwing without soreness. There’s a process. Last week with the trainers he had one throwing day, and yesterday the same way,” Payton said.

Thomas could still play in Sunday’s game. He has 40 receptions this season after recording 149 catches for 1,725 yards in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bills designate WR Brown for return from IR

Buffalo Bills wideout John Brown will return to practice this week after a high-ankle sprain knocked him out of the past three games.

The Bills designated Brown for return from injured reserve on Tuesday.

Brown, 30, suffered the injury in a Week 10 loss at Arizona.

In eight games (seven starts) this season, Brown has 29 catches for 386 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His production is down from last season, when he had 72 catches for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns.

The AFC East-leading Bills (10-3) are riding a three-game winning streak as they prepare to visit the Denver Broncos (5-8) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

October 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) is tackled by Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) and strong safety Bobby McCain (28) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

49ers’ Mostert (ankle) out against Saints

San Francisco running back Raheem Mostert will miss Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, as he’ll remain on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday.

Mostert could return as early as Nov. 29, when the 49ers travel to play the Rams in Los Angeles. The 49ers have a bye next week.

Mostert landed on IR after suffering his injury in Week 6 against the Rams. The injury halted what had been a stellar start to the season for Mostert, who had 453 yards, including 303 rushing, and two touchdowns.

With Tevin Coleman (knee) also expected to miss this week, Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty will likely continue to split time in the backfield until Mostert’s return.

–Field Level Media