NFL Player News

Mayfield completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions after replacing Tyrod Taylor (concussion) in the second quarter of Thursday's 21-17 win over the Jets. He also lost two yards on his two rushes, fumbled once and completed a two-point conversion pass.

Taylor is highly unlikely to regain his starting job following the sharp contrast between his performance before injury and that of Mayfield once he entered the game with 1:23 remaining in the first half. The first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft was seemingly sharp from his first professional regular-season snap, which resulted in a 14-yard completion to Jarvis Landry. That initial late second-quarter possession resulted in a field goal, and Mayfield would go on to lead two impressive scoring marches that culminated in Carlos Hyde rushing touchdowns in the second half. The entire Browns offense looked exponentially more effective with Mayfield at the controls, leading to the team's first win since the 2016 regular-season finale. Mayfield will now have 10 days to prepare for a Week 4 matchup against the Raiders that he would appear a virtual lock to start irrespective of Taylor's status.

Darnold completed 15 of 31 passes for 169 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in Thursday's 21-17 loss to the Browns.

Darnold faced consistent pressure from an aggressive Browns front, but he also extinguished any hopes of a victory when his pass attempt to Robby Anderson was intercepted at the Cleveland 34-yard line with 15 seconds remaining. The rookie had short-circuited the previous possession with a pick as well, as Joe Schobert snagged a throw intended for Jermaine Kearse at the Jets' 43 with 1:27 left. Darnold did show encouraging rapport with Quincy Enunwa and Kearse in particular, and he was able to avoid a blanking for Terrelle Pryor by connecting with him for 25 yards to open the final series. The 2018 first-round pick will try to bounce back from his pair of costly miscues against the Jaguars in Week 4.

Taylor has been ruled out of Thursday's contest with a concussion, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

Taylor took a shot late in the second quarter and was sent to the locker room to be evaluated. His absence will clear the way for 2018 top overall pick Baker Mayfield to lead the Browns against the Jets defense. Mayfield completed three of four passes for 47 yards in his lone drive before halftime. It is unclear at this point who will retain the starting quarterback job going forward once Taylor is cleared for action.

Taylor headed into the locker room just before halftime in Thursday's game against the Jets and is being evaluated for a concussion, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

Taylor hit his head hard on a hit in the second quarter and appeared to be jarred. After a brief evaluation in the tent, the veteran quarterback headed to the locker room, opening the door for rookie Baker Mayfield to take over the Browns offense. Taylor took three sacks and was 4 for 14 for 19 yards before exiting Thursday's contest, so there is no guarantee he will reclaim the starting quarterback job once cleared for return.

The Rams signed Allen to their practice squad Thursday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Allen was waived by Los Angeles earlier this week, but he'll stick around in the organization after going unclaimed off waivers. The 2016 sixth-round pick will likely need an injury to hit either starting quarterback Jared Goff or backup Sean Mannion to earn a promotion back to the 53-man roster.

Rodgers (knee) was held out of practice Thursday,

As expected, Rodgers was listed as a non-participant for a second consecutive day, instead rehabbing the MCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee. Considering his Week 2 performance came on the heels of no practice until Saturday's session, he may merely have to fulfill the same schedule to play in Sunday's game at Washington. Even so, he appears certain to earn a questionable designation for Week 3.

Keenum (knee) practiced fully Thursday, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Keenum's availability for this weekend's game against the Ravens is in no peril and he'll look to bounce back from a subpar fantasy outing in Week 2, in which he completed 19 of 35 pass attempts for 222 yards and an interception in a 20-19 win over Oakland. He'll be taking aim Sunday at a Baltimore defense that embarrassed the Bills in a 47-3 triumph in Week 1, then turned around surrendered four passing TDs to the Bengals in a 34-23 loss this past Sunday.

Offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur noted that Mariota looked as good in practice Thursday as he has since suffering his elbow injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Meanwhile, coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that Mariota is doing better as of Thursday and was able to do more in practice. He was officially deemed a limited participant. The QB is therefore trending in the right direction, but Friday's final injury report of week should be telling with regard to Mariota's chances of starting Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Keenum (knee) returned to practice Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Knee soreness caused the quarterback to rest Wednesday, but his return to work Thursday supports the notion that Keenum will be fine for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Bridgewater is locked in as the team's top backup quarterback and would be first in line to start if Drew Brees were unavailable at any point this season, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Given that second-year signal-caller Taysom Hill is unproven at the NFL level outside of preseason action, there was never much doubt that Bridgewater would capture the top backup role after the Saints acquired him from the Jets on Aug. 29. It's more noteworthy, however, that Payton indicated Bridgewater entered Week 1 as the team's top backup, with the coach praising the 25-year-old for how quickly he picked up the playbook. Though Bridgewater has apparently impressed the Saints' staff in practices and in the film room, it's difficult to envision him logging meaningful snaps this season with Brees being one of the NFL's more durable starters over the last several years.