NFL Player News

Former Falcons, Eagles and Jets quarterback Michael Vick is headed to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers, a league source told ESPN. 

The Steelers have developed a need for quarterback depth since Bruce Gradkowski dislocated a finger on his left hand and is having surgery Tuesday, a source told ESPN.

Top draft pick Jameis Winston rebounded nicely from a shaky first preseason game to perform well in his second one Monday night for the Buccaneers.

Winston completed 8 of 13 passes for 90 yards and added a short touchdown run in a lopsided defeat of Cincinnati.

According to a report from NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport, the Texans have decided to go with Brian Hoyer as their quarterback to start the 2015 campaign. 

Hoyer, who signed a two-year deal with the Texans in the offseason, threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year with the Browns. He was in a quarterback battle with Ryan Mallett for the starting job. 

Hoyer was 7 of 11 for 52 yards in Houston's second preseason game against the Broncos. 

Both Marcus Mariota and backup quarterback Zach Mettenberger performed well Sunday in leading the Titans to a preseason victory over St. Louis.

After committing two turnovers in the first exhibition game, Mariota was error-free against the Rams. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 59 yards.

Mettenberger was perhaps more effective. He hit on 7 of 9 attempts for 91 yards and a 3-yard touchdown to Chase Coffman in the second quarter.

Bill O'Brien launched a quarterback derby between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett well before training camp began for the Texans. And now he is insisting that the two are still running neck-and-neck for the starting job.

"They both have the quality of leadership; they both have the quality of intelligence," O'Brian told the team website. "So, it's an even battle. And like I said, we'll make a decision at some point. We'll go with one guy to start the season. That other guy needs to be ready to play."

Despite his insistence, O'Brien is leaning toward Hoyer, according to NFL.com, which is claiming that the coaching staff is more comfortable with him. But O'Brien will continue to give Mallett an opportunity to show what he can do.

"If I had the body of knowledge right now, I would probably make the decision," O'Brien said. "I need to see a little bit more and I want to give Ryan a chance to start a game, and put some more thought into it."

Mallett completed 10 of 11 passes for 90 yards and no scores in the first preseason game against San Francisco. Hoyer hit on 2 of 4 for 67 yards and a 58-yard touchdown to Cecil Shorts.

Dan Orlovsky inched ahead of Kellen Moore in the battle for the backup quarterback job with the Lions on Thursday with a strong effort in the second preseason game against Washington, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Orlovsky completed 13 of 17 passes for 118 yards. He engineered two touchdown marches in just two quarters of action.

"He's had very good performances," Jim Caldwell said. "Dan is, obviously, a guy that has real good understanding of systems, does a good job in terms of the leadership and he's effective. So he's doing a good job. (But) this is Game 2, so we've got a little ways to go."

Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor strengthened the competition for the starting job at that position with a fine effort Thursday in Cleveland.

Taylor completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards in helping his cause in what is shaping up as a battle with Matt Cassel, according to ESPN. Taylor only put three points on the board, but he added 41 yards rushing in just four attempts.

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said Tuesday it is a "possibility" quarterback Geno Smith (jaw) goes on short-term injured reserve, which means he would miss at least the first eight weeks of the season. However, Maccagnan quickly added it was unlikely Smith would be placed on short-term IR.

Maccagnan suggested Smith would likely miss the first four games of the season. Although, he is expecting Smith to rejoin the team later this week. Smith is recovering from surgery to fix his broken jaw. He suffered the injury in a fight with former teammate IK Enemkpali.

Steelers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has been activated from the team's Physically Unable to Perform list, the team announced Sunday.

Gradkowski had been sidelined due to a sore shoulder, but he was able to practice Sunday.

Browns quarterback Connor Shaw will be out an extended amount of time after sustaining a thumb injury, the team announced Sunday.

Shaw suffered the injury during Thursday's preseason game and he will need surgery to correct the issue.

"I feel for Connor because he has worked extremely hard," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. "He's a competitor and has had a great offseason and a good camp so far. He is good for the quarterback room and it's unfortunate that this injury won't allow him to compete."