NFL Player News

The Jets decided to part ways with quarterback Josh Johnson on Saturday, a source told NFL.com. Johnson was competing for a backup role on the team.

Texans quarterback Tom Savage suffered a right shoulder sprain during Thursday's preseason game, reports the Houston Chronicle. The injury will keep Savage out for four-to-six weeks.

The Eagles traded quarterback Matt Barkley to the Cardinals for a conditional seventh-round pick, ESPN reports. Barkley has appeared in four games in his career and has four interceptions with no touchdowns.

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said Monday rookie quarterback Jameis Winston is dealing with a sprained right ankle, according to The Tampa Tribune. 

While the injury is not expected to keep Winston from starting the season opener against the Titans, Koetter admitted the ankle injury is having a negative impact on his play. 

“It’s affecting him a little bit,” Koetter said. “If you’ve ever had (a sprained ankle) and had to move around and cut and plant, it can be painful. But it’s easily something he can get through. He’ll be ready to go. He’ll be full-speed by Tennessee. It’s not anything he can’t play on.”

Bills coach Rex Ryan made the news official at a press conference Monday, naming Tyrod Taylor the team's starting quarterback, citing his "explosiveness" at the position, per The Buffalo News. 

Taylor has put up impressive numbers during the preseason, going 24-for-31 for 236 yards, but has not started a game since the 2011 Orange Bowl when he was the signal-caller for Virginia Tech. He has played in 14 games as a backup with the Ravens.

Ryan said that Taylor is "on top of what we are doing," and that with a team built to win now, Taylor gives them the best chance over fellow quarterbacks EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel. 

Taylor is scheduled to make $833,333 this season, but that figure could increase to $2 million with performance- and playing-time bonuses. 

The Redskins made it official Monday, with coach Jay Gruden saying in a press conference that Kirk Cousins will be the team's starting quarterback in 2015, usurping former starter Robert Griffin III, per The Washington Post. 

"It's Kirk's team," Gruden said. "He's proven that he is the best quarterback on our roster at this time."

Cousins is entering his fourth season with the Redskins. In nine career starts, he is 2-7. Last year, he started five games and led Redskins quarterbacks in passing yards (1,710) and touchdowns (10), but also threw nine interceptions.

After a wide-open quarterback competition, the results are apparently in for Bills coach Rex Ryan. According to FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer, the Bills are prepared to name Tyrod Taylor their starter for Week 1. 

Taylor has performed well in the preseason, earning the edge over EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel, perhaps due to his threat as a runner in addition to his passing ability. 

Taylor has yet to make an NFL start, appearing in 14 games in four seasons as a backup with the Ravens. 

The drama never stops in D.C. and according to CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the Redskins have informed players that they are planning to have Kirk Cousins start their Week 1 contest against the Dolphins and not Robert Griffin III, who is apparently battling a concussion problem. 

There are reports of a rift between the football operations and ownership regarding Griffin, who has struggled this preseason before getting injured in the team's second preseason contest against Detroit. Griffin was cleared to play in the team's third preseason game before an independent neurologist reversed course, saying Griffin was still dealing with concussion-related symptoms.

Cousins has played well during the preseason, going 40-for-53 for 435 yards. 

Bills coach Rex Ryan said EJ Manuel will get the start over Tyrod Taylor and Matt Cassel in the team's third preseason game Saturday against the Steelers. Taylor and Cassel have each started one preseason game.

"My plan was to give everybody opportunities," Ryan said Thursday. "Nobody can say nobody wasn't given a fair shot here."

Manuel has completed 13 of 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns through two preseason games.

Taylor has completed 12 of 18 passes for 114 yards. He also has rushed for a team-high 88 yards on 10 attempts through two games.

Cassel has appeared in just one game, completing 7 of 8 passes for 45 yards.

The Steelers signed quarterback Michael Vick and placed Bruce Gradkowski on the injured reserve list on Tuesday, the team announced.

Pittsburgh was in need of a backup quarterback after Gradkowski dislocated a finger in his left hand, requiring surgery.

Vick played in 10 games for the Jets last season. He passed for 604 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.