NFL Player News

When the Brown' unofficial depth chart is posted later Tuesday, the top QB slot will show 'Watson or Shedeur Sanders,' Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Meanwhile, Jackson notes that coach Todd Monken doesn't plan to reveal his QB plans for Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears just yet, but it's expected that whichever of the two starts that contest will give way the other in the Browns' second exhibition tilt. The two signal-callers continue to share first-team practice reps, with Monken having yet to outline a timeline for his decision on when a Week 1 starter will be named.

Coach Aaron Glenn noted Tuesday that the Jets' starters, a group that includes Smith, will play in Friday's preseason opener against the Buccaneers, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

It remains to be seen how much work Smith will see Friday, but after the veteran QB gets his reps in, Cade Klubnik, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe are candidates to see action against Tampa Bay. As the coming campaign approaches, Smith is slated to lead a New York offense paced by top RB Breece Hall and which features a diverse pass-catching group that includes WRs Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper, as well as TEs Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) and Mason Taylor.

Jones won't play in the preseason, according to Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com.

By all accounts, Jones' recovery from the torn right Achilles that he suffered in Week 14 last season has gone well, but the Colts will play it safe with their starting QB. Per Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star, Anthony Richardson will start Thursday's preseason opener against the Patriots and play the first half, while Riley Leonard will work in the second half, an arrangement that is in line to be reversed in the team's second exhibition tilt against Atlanta.

UCLA football announced Monday that Carr has joined the program as a special adviser to head coach Bob Chesney, Paolo Uggetti of ESPN.com reports.

The 35-year-old quarterback remains on the Saints' reserve/retired list for now. Carr noted during an appearance on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" earlier this summer that he wouldn't completely close the door on a return to the NFL if the right opportunity presented itself, but that now appears far less likely to happen.

The Vikings have named McCarthy's teammate Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McCarthy, who the Vikings selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury and started just 10 games last year, with the team winning six of them. With Murray now having been named the starter ahead of Minnesota's preseason slate, McCarthy is slated to serve as the team's No. 2 signal-caller, with Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer rounding out the current depth chart.

The Vikings have named Murray their starting quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The former Cardinal had been competing with J.J. McCarthy for the assignment, but Murray will become the team's fourth Week 1 starter in the last four years. McCarthy is slated to serve as the top backup, while Murray will helm an offense that includes the talented pass-catching nucleus of wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Burrow and other starters are scheduled to play in Thursday's preseason opener against Detroit, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

WR Ja'Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins and DT Dexter Lawrence are also expected to play, so it sounds like all healthy starters will get some action. Last year, Burrow played two drives in Cincinnati's preseason opener, completing nine of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2024 preseason opener, he played a single 12-play drive, which also ended in a TD pass.

Love is scheduled to play in Thursday's preseason game at Pittsburgh, though Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that he reserves the right to change his mind, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

If Love does end up playing, history suggests it'll be his lone appearance of the preseason. He may be stuck with a mixed crew of starters and backups, given that RB Josh Jacobs (groin), TE Tucker Kraft (knee), WR Jayden Reed (ankle) and WR Matthew Golden (toe) have all missed time recently.

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Nix's deep accuracy has been "off the charts" at training camp, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Through two NFL seasons, Nix has mostly provided value via sack avoidance, scrambling and short-area accuracy. His 36.9 percent completion rate on passes 20-plus yards downfield last season ranked near the bottom of the league, but he also dealt with a number of drops on those throws from his receivers. The Broncos think he has another level to unlock, with new wideout Jaylen Waddle being a big part of that plan.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that he doesn't expect Maye to play in Thursday's preseason opener versus the Colts, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

While Vrabel noted that his decision on Maye's status is "subject to change," like most teams during the first week of the preseason, the Patriots are expected to prioritize playing time for players who are still competing for roster spots. After a spectacular sophomore campaign in 2025 in which he finished as the runner-up in the MVP balloting and led the Patriots to the Super Bowl, Maye will have to contend with a tougher schedule in 2026 but will have an improved pass-catching group to work with after New England lost Stefon Diggs but added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.