NFL Player News

Pickett is set to play only a series or two in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Cardinals, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.

After Pickett plays, rookie undrafted free agent Haynes King is set to play the rest of the game at quarterback. Pickett has bounced around teams since leaving the Steelers in 2024, playing for the Eagles and then the Raiders before settling with the Panthers this offseason. The 2022 first-rounder is looking to operate at a high level and display that he has what it takes to be an insurance option for the current NFC South champions.

Coach Todd Monken confirmed Wednesday that Sanders and Deshaun Watson will continue to alternate first-team signal-caller reps every practice until he names a starter, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Meanwhile, Sanders reportedly turned in a strong effort during Tuesday's session, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, while Petrak indicates that on Wednesday, Watson had his best day of training camp to date. In any case, this is a job battle in which a clear-cut favorite has yet to emerge, and in terms of a timetable for his decision on naming the Browns' Week 1 starter, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal notes that at this stage Monken has neither determined the order in which starts will be assigned during the preseason, nor has he set a deadline for tabbing his starter ahead of the regular-season opener.

Coach Todd Monken noted Wednesday that Watson and Shedeur Sanders will continue to alternate first-team QB reps every practice until he names a starter, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

While Sanders reportedly looked sharp during Tuesday's session, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Petrak indicates that Watson had his best day of camp thus far Wednesday, notably in terms of his accuracy and decision-making. With regard to a timetable for his decision on naming the Browns' Week 1 starter, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal relays that Monken has neither solidified the order in which starts will be assigned during the preseason nor when a top option will emerge. The team's exhibition opener is Aug. 15 against the Bears.

Sanders and Deshaun Watson are each expected to start one of Cleveland's first two preseason games, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Sanders and Watson are jockeying for the Browns' No. 1 QB role for the upcoming campaign, and the pair has been rotating first-team reps so far in camp. With neither signal-caller having separated himself to this point, how each performs during preseason games will likely be the determining factor in who gets the Week 1 start. Head coach Todd Monken is planning to start the leader of the competition in the team's third preseason game, per Wolfe, so fantasy managers may know at that point which quarterback is the more desirable option, though neither Sanders nor Watson is looking like a particularly appealing asset in leagues that deploy one starting QB.

Watson and Shedeur Sanders are each expected to start one of Cleveland's first two preseason contests, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Watson and Sanders are vying for the Browns' No. 1 QB role for the upcoming season, and the pair has been rotating first-team reps so far in camp. With neither signal-caller having separated himself in the competition to this point, how each performs during preseason contests will likely be the determining factor in who gets the Week 1 start. In fact, head coach Todd Monken is planning to start the leader of the competition in the team's third preseason game, per Wolfe, so fantasy managers may know at that point which quarterback is the more desirable option, though neither Watson nor Sanders is looking like a particularly appealing asset in leagues that deploy one starting QB.

Jones has not missed a single snap with the first-team offense and has not taken any days off from practice in training camp, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Jones tore his Achilles tendon in December of last season, but that hasn't stopped him from being a pull participant in training camp practices despite recently being cleared to take part in team drills. The veteran quarterback was in the midst of a career year before sustaining the severe injury and finished the 2025 regular season having completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while turning 45 carries into 164 yards and five scores across 13 games. Jones is well on track to play in Week 1 against the Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Sanders, who worked with the Browns' first-team offense Tuesday for the third time in camp, had his best day thus far with that group, according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

The report notes that in the process Sanders was "was largely on target and added a few high-level throws, which has become a pattern." Meanwhile, fellow QB Deshaun Watson -- who has been alternating first-team reps with Sanders by day -- continues to to deal with inconsistent accuracy, per Petrak. Watson will presumably handle first-team reps in the team's next practice, with the Browns' ongoing signal-caller competition likely to extend into the preseason. Cleveland's exhibition opener is Aug. 15 against the Bears.

Willis has played well at training camp, earning praise from coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The report notes that Willis didn't do much running or scrambling during OTAs, but that's apparently changed some at training camp, with the offense incorporating designed QB runs. The extent to which those are part of the offense will go a long way toward determining Willis' fantasy value, though the Dolphins unsurprisingly want him to focus on the passing game and getting the ball out quickly this summer. It sounds like the team is pleased with what they've seen so far, with Willis displaying good chemistry with his no-name group of pass catchers.

Tagovailoa (back) is trending toward being the Falcons' Week 1 starting quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Coach Kevin Stefanski has remained mum as it pertains to who will be under center for the Falcons for the season opener against the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 13. Having said that, Tagovailoa has been far more active at the beginning of training camp than Michael Penix, the latter of whom continues to rehab the torn ACL that ended his campaign in Week 11 in 2025. Tagovailoa himself has been tending to a back injury, but he was able to elevate to 11-on-11 drills Monday and seems well on his way to getting the call from Stafanski ahead of Week 1. Tagovailoa was limited at Tuesday's practice but hopes to work fully Wednesday, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com.

Coach Mike LaFleur announced Tuesday that Beck will start Thursday's Hall of Fame Game versus the Panthers.

The Cardinals provided some clarity with their quarterback situation by agreeing to give Jacoby Brissett a pay raise last week, indicating he'll have some leeway as the starter to begin the campaign. The team also rosters Gardner Minshew and Beck, a rookie third-round pick, at the position, and both players seemingly have a decent chance to see the field at some point this season. Beck capped his collegiate career at Miami in 2025, completing 72 percent of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.