Week 5 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Friday

Oct 07, 2016

Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett (right thumb, out) missed practice Friday after taking limited reps Thursday and is out for Week 5.

Bears QB Jay Cutler (right thumb, doubtful) missed practice all week and is doubtful for Week 5. HC John Fox said that Brian Hoyer has a chance to remain the starter even when Cutler comes back, so he’s likely going to continue to start until he has a bad performance or two. Hoyer has thrown for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in each of the last two games.

Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo (right shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 5.

Colts QB Andrew Luck (right shoulder) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week. He’s good to go.

Browns QB Josh McCown (left shoulder, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 5.

Panthers QB Cam Newton (concussion) missed practice again Friday. HC Ron Rivera said he’ll know Newton’s status by the end of the week (Saturday?). Newton plays on Monday night, and the Charlotte Observer expects him to sit out, so owners should pick up Derek Anderson as a Plan B. Newton doesn’t typically miss starts, but he can’t tough his way through a head injury. As for Anderson, his last two starts were in 2014 and they were both against the Buccaneers. He completed 49 of 74 passes (66.2%) for 507 yards (for a 6.85 YPA), three touchdowns and zero interceptions. In a good matchup, QB streamers could do much worse.