NFL Player News

Coach Nick Sirianni said after Thursday's preseason loss to the Patriots that Hurts (illness) was held out due to pain in his stomach, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

According to Sirianni, Hurts didn't feel well when he arrived at Lincoln Financial Field and attempted to go through pregame warmups, but he couldn't get past it and was scratched shortly before the contest. Hurts was evaluated at the hospital, and afterward Sirianni told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network that the QB is "fine now. He's doing OK now." Hurts missed out on a chance to get in some reps with college teammate and 2021 first-round receiver DeVonta Smith, who made his pro debut Thursday, but the team has one more exhibition Friday, Aug. 27 at the Jets to get that connection going.

Jones completed 13 of 19 passes for 146 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Patriots' 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles on Thursday night. He also rushed once for three yards.

The rookie may not have thrown for any scores, but he helped helm an outstanding 17-play, 91-yard march on his first possession upon entering in the second quarter behind Cam Newton. The ground attack did play an outsized role in that drive, but Jones was also in on second-half 75- and 70-yard scoring drives that culminated in rushing touchdowns. Newton was also sharp during his stint, so the competition between the two signal-callers presumably will persist in the next week of practices leading up to New England's third preseason tilt on Sunday, Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Hurts doesn't have an illness related to COVID-19, which has sidelined him from Thursday's preseason game versus the Patriots, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Hurts was on the field for pregame warmups but was a late scratch ahead of kickoff, giving veteran Joe Flacco a chance to work with Eagles starting skill-position players. It's unclear if coach Nick Sirianni will have any of those players, including Hurts, participate in Philly's final exhibition Friday, Aug. 27 at the Jets, which may not allow the second-year QB and rookie first-round WR DeVonta Smith to work in a game together before Week 1.

Hurts is sitting out Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots due to an illness.

The Eagles were anticipating the first in-game connection between Hurts and rookie first-round receiver DeVonta Smith, who missed the team's first exhibition with an MCL sprain. But an illness has kept Hurts away from the field Thursday, delaying the reunion of college teammates. This may have been Hurts' last chance to play in the preseason, but Philly does have one more contest on the slate next Friday, Aug. 27 at the Jets.

Lock might be able to win the starting quarterback job with a strong performance in Saturday's preseason game against Seattle, according to Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com.

Lock has some buzz after throwing for 151 yards and two touchdowns on three drives in Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings. Then again, Teddy Bridgewater also played well -- 7-of-8 for 74 yards and a TD -- and head coach Vic Fangio has consistently called it a close competition. Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur may have dropped a hint Thursday afternoon, noting that Lock "just needs to play well and continue on the right path. We've seen the improvement. We've seen a young player get better with an offseason and with a training camp." Lock may have nudged ahead, but it seems the Broncos will stick with their original plan of having Bridgewater start the second preseason game, facing the Seahawks this weekend.

Coach Dan Campbell said he may sit some veterans, including Goff, during Saturday's preseason matchup against the Steelers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Goff turned in a middle-of-the-road performance during his preseason debut with the Lions last weekend, completing seven of nine passes for 56 yards in two possessions against the Bills. With a tough matchup against Pittsburgh's defense on deck, and top offensive weapons T.J. Hockenson (undisclosed) and D'Andre Swift (groin) already ruled out, it could be in Goff's best interests to watch Saturday's action from the sidelines.

Gabbert will start Saturday's preseason contest against the Titans, Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gabbert entered last weekend's exhibition matchup against the Bengals after Tom Brady handled a single series, but the journeyman veteran will officially get the start Saturday. After Gabbert, who looks set to reprise his role as Brady's primary backup during the regular season, Ryan Griffin and rookie Kyle Trask also stand to see some action.

Coach Matt LaFleur said it is "probably unlikely" that Love (shoulder) will suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Jets, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Love turned in a solid performance during his preseason debut against the Texans last weekend, but he sustained a minor shoulder injury in the process, and the Packers aren't taking any risks in his recovery process. Kurt Benkert will be in line to start Saturday's exhibition matchup if Love indeed remains sidelined, while Jacob Dolegala, who only re-signed with Green Bay on Tuesday, would operate as his backup and potential relief option. Per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Love is not practicing Thursday.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Thursday that Lawrence is likely to start Monday's preseason game against New Orleans, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Urban Meyer called it a "decent chance" on Monday, and Bevell is now using slightly stronger language. Lawrence and Gardner Minshew continue to split first-team reps in practice, but it's telling that the rookie is expected to start the Jags' preseason game for a second straight week. Both QBs were average in the opener, and Minshew remains a long shot to get the Week 1 nod.

Trubisky should get a lot of playing time in Saturday's preseason game against the Bears, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

With the Bills holding out Josh Allen and other key veterans, Trubisky figures to play at least two or three drives -- and possibly quite a bit more -- in a preseason revenge game for the ages. Davis Webb and Jake Fromm will be the team's other QB options Saturday, with neither posing any real threat to Trubisky's No. 2 standing on the depth chart.