NFL Player News

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that he doesn't plan to play Tagovailoa and most starters during Saturday's preseason game against the Lions, David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa played one drive during Miami's preseason opener against the Bears, completing five of six passes for 27 yards, but he'll rest during the team's second exhibition matchup. Instead, backup Zach Wilson will get the start Saturday while rookie Quinn Ewers enters in relief. Jaylen Waddle returned to team drills this week, but top wideout Tyreek Hill (oblique) remained sidelined Thursday.

Willis is positioned to start Saturday's preseason game against the Colts with Jordan Love (thumb) recovering from surgery undergone to address a ligament injury, Jacob Slinkman of SI reports.

Willis' growth as he enters Year 2 in coach Matt LaFleur's scheme will be interesting to monitor, especially after he managed to impress with two early-season wins when called upon to step up under center in 2024 (one of which came Week 2 versus Indianapolis). He'll be tasked with overcoming injuries to the wide receiver corps during Saturday's exhibition tilt, however, with Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs (back) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) all having missed practice Thursday. The Packers expect Love to resume practicing next week, and the team hasn't expressed any concerns about his status for Week 1.

Milton will likely play the majority of Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

The Cowboys are still trying to get Milton ready to be Dak Prescott's top backup, whereas No. 3 QB Will Grier is more of a known quantity. Prior to leaving the preseason opener against the Rams with a minor elbow issue, Milton completed 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while adding 22 rushing yards on five carries.

Huntley could be the starting quarterback in Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Noah Monroe of the Browns' official site reports.

The Browns are dealing with several injuries in the quarterback room, with only Huntley and Joe Flacco deemed 100 percent. "We'll work through all (the injuries). Obviously, (Huntley) knows exactly what to do, how to do it, so is ready to roll," Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Thursday. Flacco, the presumptive Week 1 starter, was ruled out from playing by the coach. Shedeur Sanders (oblique) didn't practice this week and is not expected to play. That leaves Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring), both of whom practiced this week, albeit in limited fashion.

Coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Mayfield won't suit up for Saturday's preseason game at Pittsburgh, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bowles changed his tune from comments he made following Thursday's joint practice with the Steelers, when he noted that every Buccaneers starter on offense except for WR Mike Evans would play. The new reality was keyed by Bowles watching tape of the session and now will leave Kyle Trask to direct the first-teamers to begin Saturday's contest. Beyond Trask, veteran Teddy Bridgewater and undrafted rookie Connor Bazelak will handle any QB reps that don't go to Trask. Mayfield has just more chance for exhibition action ahead of a Week 1 road matchup with the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 7.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that he expects Purdy and "some" starters will suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Purdy thus appears poised to make his preseason debut Saturday, though he may be tasked with operating without wide receivers Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (hamstring) and Jordan Watkins (ankle), in addition to Brandon Aiyuk (ACL), who remains on the active/PUP list and may be sidelined until Week 6. Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson look set to operate as Purdy's top two wide receivers Saturday, while it remains to be seen whether Shanahan will opt to rest veteran playmakers Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Mayfield and every starter on offense aside from Mike Evans will play in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mayfield will be without not only Evans, who will rest Saturday, but also Chris Godwin (ankle), who remains on the active/PUP list without a clear timetable to return as he works his way back from surgery undergone to address a dislocated left ankle. Tampa Bay's impressive pass-catching depth will still leave Mayfield with Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan at his disposal Saturday, however, with TE Cade Otton (hamstring) also potentially ready to return to action.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Howell will start Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots.

Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards and rushed four times for two yards and a touchdown during Minnesota's preseason opener against Houston, which he entered after J.J. McCarthy started the first drive. Top wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) won't be available Saturday, but Jordan Addison (suspension) remains eligible to suit up for preseason action despite having to delay his regular-season debut until Week 4. It seems more likely than not, though, that O'Connell will sit the rest of Minnesota's starters alongside McCarthy.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Thursday that Stafford (back) will work out on Saturday, similarly to what he did before sitting out Los Angeles' preseason opener last weekend, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Stafford hasn't yet practiced this week, despite McVay having indicated after a positive workout last Saturday, Aug. 9, that the veteran quarterback was on track to handle individual drills. "Hopefully [Stafford's back] responds a little bit better" after this coming workout, McVay said. That Stafford is set to reprise a similar workout plan confirms expectations that he'll sit out Saturday's preseason matchup against the Chargers, with the Rams likely hoping he returns to the field in at least a limited fashion next week to begin ramping up for Week 1 against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 7. Regardless of McVay's apparent confidence that Stafford will be ready for the regular season, however, the early-round ADPs of wideouts Puka Nacua and Davante Adams could continue to slide until fantasy managers are able to see Stafford retake the practice field without setbacks.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that McCarthy will not suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against New England.

McCarthy played one drive during Minnesota's preseason opener against the Texans, completing four of seven passes for 30 yards while rushing once for eight yards, but Sam Howell will get the start versus the Patriots. During the Vikings' exhibition finale versus Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 22, McCarthy could get a chance to handle more reps. Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains absent from practice but will be re-evaluated next week, while Jordan Addison (suspension) will be eligible to play the remainder of the preseason but will begin the regular season with a three-game suspension.