Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 15

The #Patriots waived QB/WR Malik Cunningham.

Related players: Mac Jones, Will Grier, Bailey Zappe

It's a bit of a shocker as Cunningham was recently the team's QB2 and seemingly a step away from starting with Jones struggling. Jones is coming off a good game against Buffalo and now Zappe or Grier look to be back in line as the backup to Jones.

As the Patriots try to avoid falling to 1-6 on Sunday against the Bills, Mac Jones will once again be the starting quarterback.

Via Dakota Randall of NESN.com, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told reporters on Tuesday that Jones will retain his job.

“Yes,” O’Brien said in response to the question of whether Jones will continue to start.

Related players: Malik Cunningham, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier

The story went to say O’Brien said Cunningham’s role will be determined on a “week to week” basis. Cunningham has leapfrogged Zappe, who served as the emergency quarterback on Sunday. Cunningham played on just six snaps last week.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has decided to have four quarterbacks on the 53-player roster, with Malik Cunningham now joining a roster that already had Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier. But Belichick isn’t saying what role Cunningham will play going forward.

“Malik’s improved a lot during the course of the year, both at receiver and in the kicking game and some of the snaps he’s taken at quarterback,” Belichick said. “Didn’t really get too much of a chance to see him [against the Raiders] but he’s been good to work with, he’s made a lot of improvement, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Belichick did say the athletic Cunningham has shown he belongs, even though on Sunday against the Raiders he was sacked on his only pass attempt and otherwise never got involved in the offense. The Patriots are desperate to improve the offense and win a game so anything can happen. For now, Cunningham should probably only be considered in deep leagues and dynasty leagues. But as always, keep an eye on what's going on in New England.

Panthers ruled out RB Miles Sanders for Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins due to his shoulder injury.

Related Players: Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear, Laviska Shenault

Sanders has once again been one of the least-efficient backs in the league, while Hubbard has looked above-average on his limited touches. The latter should be considered an RB2 while the veteran misses time.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (ankle) is trending upwards and should play tonight barring a setback. Meanwhile, RB Javonte Williams (quad) is set to return for the Broncos.

Related Players: Noah Gray

Kelce should clearly be played in all lineups in all formats if he is good to go tonight. Even if he is limited, he still has the ceiling to finish the week as the TE1.

RB Javonte Williams practiced full (quad).

Related players: Jaleel McLaughlin, Samaje Perine

With Williams out last week, McLaughlin became a popular pickup as he and Perine essentially split the workload. McLaughlin has looked impressive, but it seems like Williams will be back in the fold for Week 6. Williams may be more of a flex option at this point and part of a three-headed monster at RB. While Williams is still the back to own here, the Broncos don't really have a reason to give Williams a huge workload.

QB Mac Jones is expected to start Sunday.

Related players: Will Grier, Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham

Howe also reported he's being told this is still an important week of practice for Jones as the Patriots evaluate every position on the roster on the heels of the worst two losses of Bill Belichick’s career. Jones has six turnovers in those two losses. Zappe hasn't shown much in his time either, so the Patriots may feel they don't have another choice but to stick with Jones. Grier and Cunningham could be considered at some point the way this season has gone in New England.