NFL Player News

Bennett completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and rushed for two touchdowns during the Rams' 34-0 preseason win over the Saints on Saturday.

Bennett was once again named the starter for Saturday's exhibition contest while Matthew Stafford and most of the Rams' first-team offense observed the game from the sidelines. Bennett proceeded to lead the Rams on scoring drives on four of five series, with the fourth-year QB rushing for one- and eight-yard touchdowns in the second quarter. Rookie first-rounder Ty Simpson took over under center in the second half but couldn't match Bennett's production, which puts the latter in the driver's seat to be the Rams' backup quarterback behind Stafford for the regular season. The Rams will wrap up the preseason Thursday against the Chargers.

Simpson completed eight of 12 passes for 73 yards and added three carries for 10 yards during the Rams' 34-0 preseason win over the Saints on Saturday.

Matthew Stafford and most of the Rams' starters were sidelined for Saturday's exhibition contest. As was the case in the preseason opener against the Kansas City, Stetson Bennett served as the starter against New Orleans, and he played well under center before turning the keys over to Simpson midway through the third quarter. Simpson couldn't replicate the production he had against the Chiefs, but he managed to lead an 11-play, 66 yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter that ended with an 12-yard rushing touchdown by Jarquez Hunter. It appears as though Simpson is securely slated as the Rams' QB3 behind Stafford and Bennett heading into the regular season. The Rams wrap up their preseason slate Thursday against the Chargers.

Dart didn't suit up for Saturday's 26-3 preseason win over the Dolphins.

Backup Jameis Winston got the start as Dart and some other key starters rested for the second preseason game. Dart played two series in the preseason opener, capping that appearance with a touchdown pass. It remains to be seen whether coach John Harbaugh gives the 2025 first-round pick any action in Friday's preseason finale against the Jets before the Giants kick off regular-season play with a Week 1 home game against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Gabriel didn't complete his only pass attempt in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to the Bills.

Gabriel didn't get into the game until the Browns' final possession. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson divided up QB duties before then. Neither contender for the starting role impressed Saturday, as they combined for 110 passing yards and a 1:2 TD:INT, with Sanders tossing the lone touchdown pass. Gabriel appears to be a distant third on the depth chart heading into Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, but nobody is running away with the starting job.

Williams is in uniform in advance of Saturday's preseason game in Cincinnati, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After sitting out Chicago's exhibition opener, Williams now appears set to make his preseason debut. His participation is notable for the Bears' first-team offense, especially with WRs Rome Odunze and Kalif Raymond and TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet also suited up.

Watson completed five of 12 passes for 36 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to the Bills. He also rushed twice for 13 yards.

After starting the preseason opener, Watson didn't enter Saturday's second preseason game until after halftime. Shedeur Sanders started and threw for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Watson played all but one possession in the second half but failed to get anything going. Head coach Todd Monken said after the game that he will wait until Sunday to name a starter for Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. There doesn't appear to be much daylight between Watson and Sanders in the competition for the starting QB role in Cleveland.

Sanders completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to the Bills. He also rushed once for two yards.

Sanders started and played the first half. After an early lightning delay, Sanders led a touchdown drive on his first possession, capping it with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Luke Floriea. Sanders also threw a red-zone interception in the second quarter. Deshaun Watson struggled in the second half, completing five of 12 passes for 36 yards and an interception before ceding the final possession to Dillon Gabriel, who threw one pass. Cleveland's QB competition between Sanders and Watson remains too close to call. After the game, head coach Todd Monken said he will wait until Sunday to name a starter for Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Richardson completed three of nine passes for 24 yards and rushed three times for 15 yards in Saturday's 34-6 preseason loss to the Falcons.

Riley Leonard started Saturday's second preseason game Saturday and played the first three quarters before Richardson came in for the fourth quarter. Leonard wasn't much better than Richardson, completing seven of 14 passes for 62 yards, but the usage of the two young QBs in this game suggests Richardson has fallen behind in the battle for the second spot on the depth chart behind Daniel Jones. Richardson will have one more chance to stake his claim to the backup role in next Saturday's preseason finale against the Lions.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters that McCarthy was "a little hobbled" during Saturday's 13-3 preseason loss to the Ravens, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

McCarthy appeared to sustain the injury toward the tail end of the first quarter, and O'Connell relayed that the third-year quarterback would have been in the game for one more offensive series had it not been for the injury. McCarthy will undergo further tests over the next couple of days, which will factor into whether he's available for the Vikings' preseason finale against the Broncos this Friday. Kyler Murray has been named Minnesota's starter, and while McCarthy is lined up to be the backup, the latter is facing competition from Carson Wentz for the QB2 job.

Penix (knee) has been cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

It's a positive step in Penix's recovery from ACL surgery that he underwent in November. He's been limited to 7-on-7 drills for most of training camp, but the expectation is that he'll upgrade to full team drills Monday. Depending on how his knee reacts to additional work, Penix could play in the Falcons' preseason finale against the Dolphins on Friday.