NFL Player News

Allen was waived by the Rams on Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

Allen had been making a strong case for the third-string quarterback job throughout the preseason, but came up short in his efforts. The Arkansas product could be an intriguing option as a backup, especially for teams running a similar style to the Rams.

Minshew is set to serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Nick Foles on the Jaguars' initial 53-man roster, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Minshew finished a lackluster preseason Thursday in which he didn't lead a touchdown drive, completing 54 of 96 passes for 468 yards with zero interceptions and two lost fumbles. The rookie sixth-round pick played almost exclusively with the reserves and wasn't provided much help, but it's hardly a confidence-inspiring performance for the team's backup quarterback. Alex McGough was waived Friday, leaving Foles and Minshew as the lone signal callers on the roster. The Jaguars could still opt to bring in an outside quarterback, but for now Minshew is locked in as the No. 2 guy.

The Seahawks waived Lynch on Friday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Timesreports.

Condotta also notes that Seattle could try to keep Lynch on their practice squad for the 2019 season. Regardless, the 25-year-old will have to continue to wait for his shot at a bigger role under center. Lynch didn't see any regular-season action in 2018. The former first-round pick appeared in five games for Denver between 2016 and 2017, completing a total of 79 passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Heinicke was cut by the Panthers on Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

Heinicke backed up Cam Newton (foot) for most of the 2018 season. He made one start in Week 16 versus the Falcons before suffering a season-ending hyper-extended elbow, completing 33 of 55 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown (the first of his career) and three interceptions. He wasn't able to beat out Kyle Allen and rookie third-round pick Will Grier this offseason and will now look for a gig elsewhere in the league.

McGough was waived by the Jaguars on Friday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

McGough endured a rough preseason in Jacksonville, completing 11 of 29 passes for 60 yards and one interception, though he did add five carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie sixth-round pick Gardner Minshew had similar struggles throughout the preseason, but he nonetheless showed enough to win the backup job behind starter Nick Foles.

Head coach Pete Carroll called Smith's knee injury a "tweak," stating that the QB will need to have it examined in the coming days, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Smith,who had to exit Thursday's final preseason game with what appeared to be a minor knee injury, was able to stand on the sideline in pads after exiting. The team will have the knee looked at, but assuming the injury isn't serious, Smith is the strong favorite to begin the season as Russell Wilson's primary backup.

General manager Jason Licht describes Gabbert (shoulder) as "iffy" for Week 1 but expects him to be ready to return very early into the season, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Licht went on to praise Gabbert's toughness and seems to have full confidence the veteran quarterback will be ready to serve as the primary backup to Jameis Winston in relatively short order. The fact Gabbert's shoulder dislocation is on his non-throwing arm certainly helps matters, but the fact the team's general manager is seemingly guaranteeing a roster spot for Gabbert is interesting considering how well fellow quarterback Ryan Griffin played this preseason.

McGough completed six of 12 pass attempts for 31 yards while rushing for 35 yards and a touchdown on three carries during Thursday's 31-12 preseason loss to Atlanta.

The 23-year-old McGough resuscitated what had been a dormant offensive operation through most of three quarters, helping the Jaguars convert five first downs and score a touchdown on his third drive of work after the team managed just two field goals on its first 10 possessions of the evening. McGough was enduring a dreadful debut preseason with Jacksonville prior to Thursday, completing five of 17 attempts for 29 yards, zero touchdown passes and one interception in outings against the Ravens and Eagles.

Boyle completed three of six passes for 18 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 27-20 preseason win over the Chiefs.

Boyle started at quarterback ahead of DeShone Kizer, but saw the offense falter with two punts to begin the game. After a fumble recovery from the defense, Boyle's third series commenced at the Chiefs' 29-yard line, enabling him to lead a touchdown drive capped by a two-yard toss to rookie Jake Sternberger. At that point, Boyle was withdrawn for Kizer, who finished 8-of-15 for 77 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Overall, Boyle's six touchdowns versus zero turnovers this preseason should surely help his case to serve as Aaron Rodgers' top backup, but it remains to be seen whether the Packers will promote him over Kizer, who held the job last season.

Rypien completed eight of 11 attempts for 86 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Broncos' 20-7 preseason win over the Cardinals on Thursday. He also lost two yards on his two rushes.

Rypien got his interception out of the way early, as he was picked off at the Cardinals' 43 yard-line on his first drive. Then, following a four-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on which Rypien failed to throw a pass, he bounced back to help lead an 11-play, 73-yard march that culminated in a field goal. The Boise State product remains in contention for the No. 2 job behind Joe Flacco to open the season as a result of Drew Lock (thumb) being on the shelf, with Kevin Hogan serving as Rypien's competition for that role.