NFL Player News

Jackson is absent from Wednesday's practice due to a "COVID-related case the league is still trying to process," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jackson tested positive for COVID-19 last November and missed a game against the Steelers, but he returned to action the following week and proceeded to guide Baltimore to five straight wins and a playoff berth. He has apparently tested positive for the virus again, but there's been no official move to place him on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Ravens are left with Trace McSorley and Tyler Huntley as their quarterbacks for the first practice of training camp.

The NFL released a statement Tuesday saying that its "review of the serious allegations against [Watson] remains ongoing and active" and that "at this time, there are no restrictions on Watson's participation in club activities," Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

The NFL has been conducting an investigation into Watson's legal situation since March, but the league has reportedly not yet "been given access to speak to any of the civil plaintiffs or to third parties who might have relevant info." Watson has shown up at training camp, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network recently reported that the Texans are willing to listen to trade offers. Though it's clear the NFL doesn't have immediate plans to place Watson on the Commissioner's Exempt List, at least until new information is made available to the league, teams may still be hesitant to deal significant draft capital in exchange for the quarterback until such time as his legal situation is resolved.

Although the Bears have affirmed Dalton as the Week 1 starter, coach Matt Nagy dodged a question Tuesday as to whether Justin Fields can impress enough in camp to win the job , Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

As of now, there's no reason to expect the Bears to change their stance on Dalton beginning the year under center, but after Nagy's lack of immediate support for the team's current plan, there may be an element of doubt. It's possible that performances in preseason games could change who's named the Week 1 quarterback, but it's nothing more than speculation as training camp is set to open.

Coach Matt Nagy dodged the question Tuesday when asked whether Fields could impress enough in camp to be the Week 1 starter, possibly opening the door for Fields to start the year under center Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

At this point, the report is attempting to read between the lines of an answer that was not directly stated. The official stance of the Bears is that Andy Dalton is the Week 1 starter, but fantasy managers may want to remain open to the idea that Chicago could be impressed enough by its first-round pick that the team feels he's ready to face the Rams in the season opener. It's possible that performances in preseason games could impact this unofficial camp battle.

Rush (back) is present at Tuesday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rush missed two days of practice due to a back injury, but he's already gotten healthy enough to get back on the field. The 27-year-old veteran is competing with Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci for reserve work behind Dak Prescott (ankle).

Lock will get the first snap of training camp, but Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Teddy Bridgewater will get just as much work with the starters, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

While the split won't be even each day, Fangio said he's aiming for 50/50 overall, making it a truly equal competition. Bridgewater has more NFL experience and a better track record as a starter, while Lock has the advantage of scheme familiarity with holdover OC Pat Shurmur, in addition to superior arm strength and mobility. Bridgewater does also have some level of familiarity with Shurmur, whose time with the Vikings coincided with the quarterback's severe knee injury and subsequent rehab. The QB spot now looms as Denver's biggest issue at the start of training camp, with the roster otherwise appearing playoff caliber.

Coach Kyle Shanahan reiterated Tuesday that the 49ers don't have a quarterback competition, with Jimmy Garoppolo being the starter and Lance the backup, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Other coaches have said the same thing before quickly changing their minds once the veteran QB faltered. However, there is a little more reason to believe it in this case, with Lance being a 21-year-old rookie who got just one season of experience as a starter at FCS North Dakota State. Of course, none of this stopped the 49ers from trading up to the No. 3 overall pick to acquire him -- a move that confirmed Garoppolo was on borrowed time. As for the immediate future, Lance still hasn't signed a rookie contract and may thus be absent from practice when the 49ers take the field Wednesday morning. Nate Sudfeld and Josh Rosen are the options for second-team QB reps if Lance is unavailable.

Coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that both Woodside and DeShone Kizer will see playing time during the preseason, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Woodside served as the primary backup to Ryan Tannehill in 2020, but new teammate Kizer reportedly impressed during minicamp and could offer strong competition for the No. 2 gig. Through six appearances last season, Woodside only had three pass attempts, with one seven-yard completion. However, he did have seven carries for 10 yards.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that the 49ers don't have an open competition at quarterback, adding that Garoppolo will work with the starters during training camp, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Shanahan made similar comments in early May, shortly after the 49ers picked QB Trey Lance third overall in the NFL Draft. In any case, the 21-year-old rookie may not be available Wednesday when the team holds its first practice of camp, as he still hasn't signed a rookie contract. Garoppolo may not have job security beyond September, but he is on track for the Week 1 start, leading an offense with TE George Kittle and WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

Coach Matt Nagy said Tuesday that Fields will "get a healthy amount of reps" this preseason, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.

Nagy labeled Fields as the Bears' No. 2 quarterback back in June, indicating that veteran Andy Dalton is most likely to begin the 2021 season under center. That said, Nagy's declaration that he will take a "more aggressive approach to playing time in preseason games" hints that Fields will get numerous opportunities to showcase his talents leading up to Week 1. It seems as though Fields doesn't have a clear path to immediately starting, but if he flashes in practices and preseason action he could earn a shot at some point in his rookie season, especially if Chicago's offense underwhelms with Dalton at the helm.