NFL Player News

Jones said he had a non-football-related neck procedure this past offseason, ESPN.com Jordan Raanan reports.

Jones said it was "completely unrelated" to the neck injury that kept him out for the final six games last year. He didn't need surgery for that issue but apparently had a procedure to address something else near his neck. Jones was cleared for contact at least a month and a half before training camp and already made an appearance this preseason, completing six of 10 passes for 69 yards against the Patriots last week. Coach Brian Daboll said Jones and other starters will play in the second preseason game this Sunday against Cincinnati, though perhaps less than previously expected due to injuries on the offensive line, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Jones told reporters he expects to play in Friday's preseason game against Carolina, Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal reports.

This presumably means the Patriots are playing most of their starters, though perhaps not the entire lineup. They return every starter on offense from last year besides G Shaq Mason, who was traded to Tampa and promptly replaced back in New England by first-round pick Cole Strange. Apart from that, the big offseason changes were a trade for WR DeVante Parker and the loss of former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, with the Patriots now leaning on some combination of Matt Patricia, Joe Judge and Bill Belichick for play calling.

Brissett was on the field with the starting offense during Thursday's joint practice with the Eagles and was notable for making short throws during drills, Ashley Bastock of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Browns' offense takes on a different look without Deshaun Watson, whose suspension increased from six to 11 games Thursday, and there was evidence of how it will change with Brissett under center. He completed most of his passes and didn't turn the ball over but didn't take many chances deep. The passing game may be less daring or willing to force big plays, and there is an expectation that the offense will be a run-heavy unit. The differences between the two quarterbacks became apparent when Watson was on the field; he wasn't afraid to make big throws.

Peterman completed eight of 14 passes for 85 yards in the Bears' 27-11 preseason win over the Seahawks on Thursday.

Peterman took over quarterback duties in the second half and finished the game. His biggest connection was a 23-yard pass to Isaiah Coulter, but otherwise, Peterman was inconsistent in moving the offense. He'll likely open the season at Chicago's No. 3 signal caller.

Siemian completed eight of 15 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 27-11 preseason win over the Seahawks' on Thursday.

Siemian came in on the Bears' second drive. Although starter Justin Fields was under heavy pressure when in the game, Seattle didn't send the same level of pressure when Siemian played. However, he mostly threw short passes and completed just over half of his attempts. He appears to have a solid hold on the No. 2 quarterback role.

Mills is expected to see an increase in playing time Friday against the Rams after playing two series in the preseason opener last week, Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports. "We wanted to give him limited work, just getting him out there on the football field was what we were looking for," Houston head coach Lovie Smith said.

Mills and the first-team offense floundered last week, going three-and-out on two drives. It should be noted that Houston didn't have three of its projected starting five on the offensive line. More personnel -- on the offensive line and at wide receiver -- are expected to play Friday.

Smith suffered a knee bruise in Thursday's preseason matchup against the Bears, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Smith got banged up on a scramble in the first quarter and was spotted with a bag of ice on his knees afterward. However, coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Smith could have returned to action if necessary, but with Drew Lock (illness) also sidelined there was no need for the Seahawks to risk further loss to their quarterback depth chart. Prior to leaving the exhibition contest, Smith completed 10 of 18 passes for 112 yards.

Fields completed five of seven passes for 39 yards and rushed once for one yard in Thursday's 27-11 preseason win over Seattle.

Fields only played the first drive, but the offense moved the ball effectively during his brief time in the game, as the possession resulted in a 35-yard Cairo Santos field goal. It remains to be seen how much the dual-threat quarterback will play in Chicago's Aug. 27 preseason finale against the Browns.

Smith was spotted on the sideline to begin the second half of Thursday's preseason game versus the Bears with a wrap and ice bag on his right knee, Tim Booth of the Associated Press reports. The 10th-year quarterback finished the contest 10-for-18 passing for 112 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

After Drew Lock tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Smith earned a second consecutive start to kick off the Seahawks' exhibition slate. Through the entire process of the quarterback battle in Seattle, coach Pete Carroll has maintained that Smith is the team's No. 1 signal-caller, but with both players seemingly tending to health concerns, it stands to reason Carroll may delay announcing who will be under center Week 1. The Seahawks have one more preseason outing remaining on Friday, Aug. 26 in Dallas before a decision must be made.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Rudolph is set to close out Saturday's preseason exhibition against the Jaguars behind Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.

In last week's preseason opener against the Seahawks, Rudolph completed nine of 15 passes for 93 yards and one score while working behind Trubisky. The 2018 third-rounder is now in line to play behind rookie first-round pick Pickett against Jacksonville after Rudolph mainly worked with Pittsburgh's third-team offense throughout practice this week, per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. With respect to Saturday's QB pecking order, head coach Mike Tomlin communicated he wants Pickett to experience "more varsity action," while Rudolph is a player the coaching staff has familiarity with. Regardless, it seems like Trubisky is the presumed starter while the immediate backup job is still up in the air.