NFL Player News

The Browns plan to re-evaluate their quarterback situation following Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, with Sanders being next in line to start if Cleveland elects to bench Deshaun Watson, Ian Rapoport of ESPN reports.

After winning the battle for the starting job during the preseason, Watson will direct the offense for a second straight game to begin the regular season, but he heads into Sunday's contest with limited job security. In the Browns' season-opening 34-10 loss to the Jaguars, Watson struggled to move the ball throughout the afternoon, completing 16 of 22 attempts for 205 yards and an interception while throwing his lone touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. If Watson bounces back with a strong performance against Tampa Bay, he'll likely retain the starting job heading into the Browns' home opener Week 3 versus the Panthers, but another poor showing could set up Sanders to take over as the team's top quarterback.

Penix (knee), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, could be cleared to start Thursday's game against the Packers in Week 3, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Penix was ruled out for Week 2 on Friday, so Cooper Rush will start for the Falcons for the second time in as many games. However, Penix has been practicing fully for two weeks, and if he feels confident that he is ready to play on his surgically-repaired left knee, he could take over as Atlanta's starter in Week 3.

Burrow (back) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans, but he "should be good to go" barring a setback, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor indicated Friday that Burrow -- who was limited in practices Wednesday and Thursday before finishing the week with a full session -- was "good to go" for Week 2, and the quarterback remains on track to play. Burrow's availability for Sunday's game will be confirmed when the Bengals reveal their inactive list at 11:30 a.m. ET.

O'Connell (personal) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers, Paul Gutierrez of Raiders.com reports.

O'Connell must miss Sunday's contest due to a personal matter. With the quarterback out, Fernando Mendoza is currently the sole backup if Kirk Cousins goes down due to injury.

The Bengals elevated Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

With Joe Burrow (back) listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans, Johnson has a shot to be active. The quarterback will either be the backup to Joe Flacco if Burrow cannot suit up, or he will be inactive if Burrow is good to go.

The Jaguars elevated Mullens to the active roster from the practice squad Saturday.

Mullens was elevated for the Jaguars' Week 1 win over the Browns last Sunday. The quarterback took seven offensive snaps for the team in the fourth quarter, once the game was all but over. The 31-year-old veteran is set to play the backup role to Trevor Lawrence again and should only enter the game if Lawrence goes down or the team gets to garbage time.

O'Connell is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers due to personal reasons.

O'Connell did not participate in practice Thursday and Friday while attending to a personal matter, putting his availability for Sunday's AFC West tilt in doubt. He was the emergency QB3 in Week 1 against the Dolphins, and with the Raiders not carrying a quarterback on the practice squad, Las Vegas may just go with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as its quarterbacks for Sunday if O'Connell is unavailable.

Strand is listed as the No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game versus the Panthers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

With Michael Penix (knee) out and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) doubtful, Cooper Rush (back) will start again in Week 2. While Strand is currently penciled in as the No. 2 signal-caller against Carolina, he'll see action if Rush is forced to miss any time.

Burrow (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Houston, but Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Friday that the quarterback is good to go, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Burrow's return to full participation Friday should answer any remaining doubts, following limited practices earlier in the week. He'll be on the road against a tough Houston defense, but the Bengals at least appear in good shape from a health standpoint with Burrow being the lone starter that has an injury designation. The Bengals and Texans are scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that Wentz will be the Vikings' starting quarterback Sunday at Chicago with Kyler Murray (concussion) ruled out for that contest.

Wentz stepped in for Murray 12 plays into this past Sunday's game against the Packers and helped guide the Vikings to a 39-22 win, but the former completed 12 of 19 passes for just 133 yards. Wentz did toss three touchdowns -- 39 and nine yards to Justin Jefferson, 16 yards to T.J. Hockenson -- but otherwise he managed the game and didn't commit a turnover. O'Connell relayed to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com that he expects Murray to clear the concussion protocol next week, so Sunday's nod could be Wentz's last for some time.