NFL Player News

Smith completed seven of his 11 passing attempts for 45 yards and an interception in Saturday's 36-7 preseason loss to the Saints.

Locked in a heated battle with Cardale Jones for the backup position, Smith didn't do much to separate himself, tossing two pick-six interceptions, one of which was called back due to a penalty. The former Jets starter did enter Saturday's preseason game after Jones, but that decision seemed based more on getting the younger QB reps with the second unit as opposed an indication of the Chargers' preferred pecking order. Regardless of who wins the competition, neither player appears to be in a position to garner any sort of fantasy relevancy, considering Philip Rivers' excellent health throughout his career.

Bradford played the first two drives in Sunday's 27-3 preseason win over the Cowboys, completing one of four passes for six yards.

Bradford saw limited action while top skill-position players David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald sat out entirely. Mike Glennon and rookie Josh Rosen (thumb) don't appear to be serious threats to Bradford's starting job heading into the Sept. 9 season opener against Washington.

Allen completed six of 12 passes for just 34 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Sunday's preseason loss to the Bengals, posting a 56.3 passer rating.

If Allen's teammates wanted the rookie to win the starting quarterback job over AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman, they certainly didn't do him a solid in this one between horrible blocking and missed catches. Allen was sacked five times for 39 yards -- in other words, he was dumped on his behind for more yardage than his passing total. With McCarron about ready to return from a shoulder injury, the quarterback battle in Buffalo remains wide open just two weeks prior to the start of the season.

Peterman completed 16 of 21 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown and added seven yards on two rushes in Sunday's 26-13 preseason loss to the Bengals.

Peterman entered after Josh Allen exited with a possible concussion in the final minute of the first half (Allen was later cleared). Peterman led touchdown drives on the first two possessions of the second half, capping the first with a 17-yard scoring pass to tight end Jason Croom. While Peterman looked terrific, it's important to note that he didn't have to face a starting Cincinnati defensive line that engulfed Allen with five sacks in the first half. Between his strong preseason play and the injury statuses of Allen and AJ McCarron (shoulder), Peterman's building a case to start Week 1 in Baltimore.

Dalton completed 11 of 16 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 26-13 preseason win over the Bills.

Dalton received a standing ovation from the Buffalo crowd upon entering the game thanks to his role in helping the Bills snap their 17-year playoff drought last year. Those cheers quickly dissipated after his first throw of the game resulted in a 57-yard touchdown to deep threat John Ross. Dalton added a 14-yard score to A.J. Green two drives later, then set up a field goal on his fifth and final series of the game. The 30-year-old quarterback can now turn his focus toward Cincinnati's Sept. 9 season opener in Indianapolis.

McCoy was absent from Sunday's practice after injuring his right thumb in Friday's game against the Broncos, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

McCoy was 3-of-8 passing for 19 yards and was sacked twice by the Broncos defense. The Redskins went out and acquired undrafted free agent quarterback Connor Jessop on Sunday, which could be a move corresponding to McCoy getting injured. As long as the veteran remains out of practice, expect Kevin Hogan to take snaps with the second-team offense.

Allen has been medically cleared after being evaluated for a head injury.

Great news for the Bills after the rookie signal-caller left Sunday's preseason game against the Bengals after being taken down to the ground by a defender and landing awkwardly. He was replaced in the contest by Nathan Peterman and presumably won't return to action Sunday despite being cleared.

Prescott is not in line to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Cardinals, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The same applies to running back Ezekiel Elliott, which sets the stage for the duo's next game action to arrive in Week 1 of the regular season, against the Panthers.

Allen left Sunday's game against the Bengals late in the second quarter, presumably to undergo concussion testing, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

With Allen forced out of the game, Nathan Peterman took over at QB for the Bills. Regardless of whether Allen is medically cleared during halftime, his day is probably done. The Bills' Week 1 QB situation remains cloudy.

Beathard (foot) completed seven of eight pass attempts for 78 yards in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Colts.

Beathard suffered a foot sprain in the 49ers' second preseason game, but his presence in Saturday's contest confirms his good health heading into the regular season. The 23-year-old is a lock to serve as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup this year. With the latter not expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale, Beathard could get some decent run in the club's final tune up against the Chargers.