NFL Player News

The Vikings activated Mond (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Mond can now join teammates on the practice field. The rookie third-round pick had been away from the team since July 31 after returning a positive test for COVID-19, resulting in his missing out on valuable training camp reps. If he can catch up quickly, Mond could have a chance to see some action during Saturday's preseason contest against the Broncos.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Rodgers "will 'most likely not' play during the preseason," according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official website.

Rodgers missed some offseason work amid a dispute with management, but he has taken part in every practice session since training camp began, and the Packers don't see a need to expose Rodgers -- who will be entering his 17th season -- to a potential injury. With Rodgers unlikely to play before Week 1, backup quarterback Jordan Love will get as many reps as he can handle during the exhibition season, and third-stringer Kurt Benkert will presumably get the rest. Barring something unforeseen, expect Rodgers to be under center for the Packers when they kick off the regular season against the Saints on Sept. 12.

According to head coach Matt LaFleur, Love "will play a majority" of Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official website reports.

The 2020 first-round pick did not take a snap in a non-practice setting in his first season as a professional, but with preseason games returning this year, he will finally get a chance to show what he can do in a game. LaFleur added that starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers will "most likely not" play during the preseason, so Love should have plenty of chances to show what he can do in the weeks ahead. Barring something unexpected, Love is in line to open the season as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart behind Rodgers.

Texans head coach David Culley said Watson is "unlikely" to be available for Saturday's preseason opener versus the Packers "based on the limited reps" the quarterback has had in training camp, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Watson was back on the field Monday after missing time last week with ankle and calf issues, but the Texans aren't yet eager to expose him to game action. The 25-year-old's status for the remainder of the preseason is up in the air at this point, given his pending legal situation along with his stated desire to be traded elsewhere ahead of Week 1. Expect Tyrod Taylor to start against Green Bay, with Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel also picking up reps under center later in the contest.

Mond (COVID-19) has been feeling better recently, Darren Wolfson of KSTP reports.

Mond has been away from the team since July 31 after he tested positive for coronavirus, but he's eligible to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list as early as Tuesday. The rookie may have a chance to return for Friday's preseason opener against the Broncos if he returns to practice early in the week, but his recent absence could impact his status as he competes with Nate Stanley and Jake Browning to serve as Kirk Cousins' primary backup.

Head coach Dan Campbell implied Monday that Goff is expected to play about a quarter during Detroit's preseason opener Friday against the Bills, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

While we'll get our first glimpse of Goff in Honolulu Blue, the quarterback probably won't see enough playing time to warrant consideration in preseason DFS formats. Instead, with Tim Boyle virtually locked in as the backup, No. 3 option David Blough might be the best choice among Lions signal-callers.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Murray will play in Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

With the preseason schedule down to three games, it's possible more teams will play starters in their respective openers. In any case, Murray likely will play only a series or two Friday night.

The Texans have yet to clarify whether Watson will travel with the team to Green Bay ahead of its preseason opener Saturday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Watson, who recently missed practice time while receiving treatment on his ankle and calf, returned to the field Monday and participated in some individual drills. The report adds that the quarterback headed to the locker room once 11-on-11 work began, but he later returned to the field and observed the session, minus his pads. Though Watson is back at practice, his desire to be traded and his pending legal situation have led to continued uncertainty with regard to how things will play out between the signal-caller and the Texans.

Jackson, who has resumed practicing with his teammates after spending time on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the second time in the last eight months, noted Monday that he's taking things "day by day right now," Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

At this time, the Ravens' star QB hasn't yet decided if he'll get vaccinated following his latest COVID issue, noting, "I just got off the COVID list. I got to talk to my team about this and see how they feel about it. Keep learning as much as I can about it. We'll go from there." In the meantime, the signal-caller will look to get back up to speed after missing practice time, and in that context it's unclear when he'll make his first preseason appearance. Baltimore's first exhibition game is Saturday against the Saints.

Watson (ankle) is in uniform for Monday's practice, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.

Watson was a limited participant at the beginning of training camp -- he reportedly was held out of most team drills -- and then missed practice entirely last week while nursing a minor foot/ankle injury. He's now back on the field, but the combination of his trade request and legal situation likely will impact his practice involvement even if the ankle is no longer an issue. Tyrod Taylor has worked as the first-team quarterback throughout camp.