NFL Player News

Love (thumb) is returning to practice Monday, but backup quarterback Malik Willis will open first-team reps under center, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Love's left thumb remains heavily taped in a soft cast, and Packers coach Matt LaFleur already indicated that he wouldn't be a candidate to return to 11-on-11 reps this week. LaFleur did say Green Bay is considering making some alterations to 7-on-7 drills that would allow Love to participate, so it's possible he gets some team work in, but a timetable for the starting quarterback's full clearance remains undetermined. Love likely won't be a candidate to suit up for Saturday's preseason finale against the Seahawks, as the Packers continue to prioritize his availability for Week 1. Meanwhile, starting wideout Romeo Doubs (back) has returned to practice in some capacity Monday, per Ryan Wood of USA Today.

Stick is positioned to start Atlanta's preseason finale against the Cowboys on Friday with Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins both in line to sit out, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Stick has been serviceable across two preseason starts so far, completing a combined 34 of 50 attempts for 322 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He's also rushed twice for 14 yards. The 29-year-old is expected to enter the regular season as the Falcons' third quarterback behind Penix and Cousins, and with Atlanta having waived/injured Emory Jones (concussion) on Monday, it will be new signee Ben DiNucci who enters Friday's preseason finale in relief of Stick.

The Falcons waived Jones (concussion) with an injury designation Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Jones was concussed after playing 12 offensive snaps in the Falcons' second preseason contest over the weekend. He'll revert to the Falcons' injured reserve list once he clears waivers. Jones has complete six of 10 passes 65 yards this preseason, while rushing five times for 19 yards.

Cousins will not suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Cousins will join starting quarterback Michael Penix on the sideline for a third consecutive preseason game, positioning Easton Stick for a final exhibition start, with free-agent pickup Ben DiNucci in line to close things out under center in the wake of Emory Jones (concussion) being waived/injured Monday. By all indications, Cousins will kick off the regular season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Penix in Atlanta, though the Falcons would likely pick up the phone for trade inquiries if a team in need of a capable veteran QB emerges at some stage.

The Falcons signed DiNucci on Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

In a corresponding move, Atlanta waived fellow QB Emory Jones (concussion) with an injury designation. DiNucci figures to see action in the final preseason contest but isn't a good bet to make the 53-man roster behind Michael Penix, Kirk Cousins and Easton Stick.

Penix will not play in Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Penix and veteran backup Kirk Cousins will both sit out a third consecutive preseason game, with Falcons coach Raheem Morris opting to rest veteran starters until the regular season. Atlanta waived quarterback Emory Jones (concussion) with an injury designation Monday, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site, leaving Easton Stick and new signee Ben DiNucci in position for preseason reps versus Dallas.

Williams completed six of 10 pass attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown and had no rushing attempts in Sunday's 38-0 preseason rout of the Bills.

Williams looked sharp in his first preseason action under new head coach Ben Johnson, moving the offense 93 yards on Chicago's first possession. Last year's No. 1 overall pick dialed up WR Olamide Zaccheaus for a 35-yard touchdown strike to cap off an impressive opening drive. Williams displayed improved footwork while looking decisive in the pocket, two areas Johnson was hoping to improve heading into his signal-caller's sophomore year. It is unclear if Williams will see the field in the Bears' preseason finale against the Chiefs on Friday, but Sunday's brief glimpse into his progression should be enough to drum up the fantasy hype machine.

Cook completed six of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants.

Cook didn't get into the game until the final 20 minutes, but it was still a memorable night for the rookie out of Missouri, whose four-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Skinner in the fourth quarter was Cook's first touchdown pass in the NFL. Tyrod Taylor (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the preseason, so either Cook or Adrian Martinez could begin the regular season as Justin Fields' backup if Taylor isn't ready to return by then. The competition between Cook and Martinez could come down to how they perform in Friday's preseason finale against the Eagles.

Martinez completed 12 of 21 passes for 114 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Saturday's 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants.

It was a forgettable night for much of the Jets roster, but Martinez was notably the second quarterback into the game for the team after starter Justin Fields. Rookie Brady Cook came in after Martinez's third-quarter interception and proceeded to complete six of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. The competition between Martinez and Cook has taken on greater importance following news that Tyrod Taylor (knee) will miss the remainder of the preseason after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. If Taylor isn't ready by Week 1, Martinez or Cook would begin the season as Fields' backup.

Trask completed three of 10 passes for 19 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers on Saturday night. He also rushed once for four yards.

Trask entered the game after starter Teddy Bridgewater, who he's trying to hold off for the No. 2 quarterback job. While Bridgewater looked impressive -- especially for a player who signed about halfway through training camp -- and led the Buccaneers to two touchdowns, Trask's performance over his four possessions was essentially the opposite. Tampa Bay's offense netted all of 44 yards across the quartet of drives, with each culminating in punts. Trask did put together a much better performance in the preseason opener against the Titans, when he completed 12 of 16 passes for 129 yards; however, the fact Bridgewater has proven a quick study in coordinator Josh Grizzard's offense presumably narrows the gap between both players considerably, and Saturday night's preseason finale against the Bills could serve as the platform for each to cement their fate come roster cutdowns.