NFL Player News

GM John Elway told starter Trevor Siemian -- who Lynch backs up -- not to worry about looking over his shoulder, ESPN.com reports.

The vote of confidence in Siemian doesn't necessarily serve as a knock on Lynch, who performed statistically better than Siemian in the preseason, albeit against lesser competition. Few would question that Lynch has the better physical skill-set, but he lacks where Siemian shines. Broncos coaches have praised Siemian's ability to handle a lot of information and control the line of scrimmage. When and if Lynch takes over this season will be dependent on when his ability to handle and process information rises to a level that his physical gifts push him over to the starting spot on the depth chart. Cementing the backup role to start the season should help in his development.

Broncos GM John Elway told Siemian to go out and play and not worry about making mistakes, ESPN.com reports.

The message reiterates the sentiment that head coach Gary Kubiak has repeated all week: that Siemian cannot play tentatively. Typically, with a first-round rookie in the wings, that's hard to take seriously. However, given the fact that Paxton Lynch has been billed as a longer-term project and Siemian has been praised for his mental acumen and understanding of the offense, last year's seventh-round pick might have a longer run under center for the Broncos than some anticipate.

Shaun Hill led quarterback drills in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to reporters with Bradford following him, ESPN reports. However, head coach Mike Zimmer said he will not announce a starting quarterback for this week until Sunday.

Week 1's starter will likely depend on how quickly it takes Bradford to become familiar with the offense. Both quarterbacks are expected to split reps with the first-team offense this week and it may not be known who will start until Sunday. It's also possible both quarterbacks see action, especially if the game is lopsided.

Morris was released by Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Star reports.

It was always curious that the Colts decided to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. Scott Tolzien will be the backup to Andrew Luck. Morris will likely land on the Indianapolis practice squad.

Goff will likely be a healthy scratch Week 1 in San Francisco, but he is expected to serve as the backup Week 2 against Seattle, NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano reports.

With Goff coming off a hideous preseason, the Rams apparently feel their quarterback of the future isn't quite ready for the backup role. Sean Mannion will thus serve as the No. 2 quarterback, at least for the first week of the season. Case Keenum may have a longer leash than initially expected when he was named the starter.

Bridgewater will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn ACL and other structural damage in his left knee, ESPN's Ed Werder reports.

It's a good sign that Bridgewater will be ready for surgery just nine days after suffering a torn ACL, dislocated knee and other structural damage, as a long wait for surgery is often associated with a longer recovery/rehab schedule. The 23-year-old quarterback does still face a lengthy process, but he at least avoided any nerve or arterial damage, which means he should get back on the field at some point, if not by Week 1 next season. With Bridgewater placed on injured reserve, Sam Bradford is expected to take over as the starting quarterback, though Shaun Hill may handle the first game or two of the season while Bradford gets up to speed.

Vikings' head coach Mike Zimmer has yet to commit to a Week 1 starter.

Both Bradford and Shaun Hill are expected to split reps with the first-team offense as practice progresses throughout the week. Week 1's starter will likely depend on how quickly it takes Bradford to become familiar with the offense. The most reasonable expectation in terms of a timetable involves Bradford taking over under center in Week 2, but the Vikings are still hopeful he can figure things out for Week 1.

Head coach Mike Zimmer said Bradford and Shaun Hill will both get first-team reps at practice this week, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune reports.

According to Vensel, Hill was the first quarterback on the field at the portion of Monday's practice that was available to the media. Early reports suggest Hill is the favorite to start Week 1 against Tennessee, with Bradford hopefully taking over Week 2 against the Packers. However, Bradford may still have time to push ahead of Hill for the regular-season opener, depending on how well he practices and shows command of a new playbook.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Petty (shoulder) will be ready to play "in about a week or two," Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

There is still some fogginess surrounding Petty's timetable for return, but it doesn't appear to be anything to serious moving forward. Geno Smith will be the lone backup quarterback for the Jets as they start the season.

Johnson signed with the Giants on Monday, Adam Caplan of ESPN reports.

Johnson, who was released by the Ravens this weekend, will provide a veteran presence at quarterback behind Eli Manning and young backup Ryan Nassib. Barring any extraordinary circumstance, Johnson likely won't see the field in 2016, but he gives the team some needed insurance at the position.