NFL Player News

Smith is scheduled to start Friday's preseason game against the Steelers, Connor Hughes of SNYtv reports.

Smith sat out the Jets' preseason opener due to a sore ankle, paving the way for rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik to get the start. The veteran starter has since recovered and is set for the first game action of his second stint with the Jets. Smith sits safely atop the team's QB depth chart, while Klubnik looks like the favorite to secure the backup role over Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook.

Murray isn't expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell relayed Thursday that Murray and many other starters are unlikely to play, adding that J.J. McCarthy is expected to get the starting nod under center. Murray has been named the team's Week 1 starting QB over McCarthy and Carson Wentz.

Goff will be rested for Saturday's preseason game against the Commanders, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Joshua Dobbs will get the start and is expected to split the game evenly with Luke Altmyer. Goff is healthy and locked in atop Detroit's quarterback depth chart, while the organization is using the preseason to evaluate Dobbs and Altmyer as backup options following Teddy Bridgewater's retirement.

Stroud is expected to play a few series during Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

On Wednesday, head coach DeMeco Ryans told Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle that he was preparing to rest most of the team's starters for Thursday's game, but that apparently applied mainly to the Texans' defensive starters. Ryans wants to get a more thorough evaluation of the offensive personnel Thursday, especially when it comes to determining Houston's five starters on the offensive line heading into Week 1. According to Wilson, Stroud is expected to take around 20-to-25 snaps, so he'll likely be on the field for around two or three possessions before turning the game over to backups Davis Mills and Brett Rypien.

Head coach Andy Reid said that Mahomes (knee) won't play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Buccaneers, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

The Chiefs will have Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun split the reps at quarterback while Mahomes is held out for a second straight game. Mahomes has incurred no reported setbacks in his recovery from the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that he sustained last December, as the Chiefs are seemingly just exercising caution by holding him out of action during the preseason slate. He was cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills at the beginning of training camp and took snaps with the first-team offense during Thursday's practice after Fields went first through the order in preparation for his start Saturday, per Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Mahomes remains on track to start the Chiefs' regular-season opener Sept. 14 versus the Broncos.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that Burrow and other key starters are in line to be rested for Saturday's preseason game against the Bears, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Burrow will participate in Thursday's joint practice with the Bears, so he'll still be getting the equivalent of game-like reps this week despite sitting out the Bengals' second preseason contest. The 29-year-old signal-caller directed the Cincinnati offense for the first two possessions of last week's preseason-opening win over the Lions, completing five of six passes for 39 yards.

Fields took first-team reps with the Chiefs offense during Thursday's practice and appears in line to start Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

The Chiefs appear prepared to err on the side of caution and hold out Patrick Mahomes (knee) for another exhibition game as he works his way back from ACL surgery. Mahomes has taken part in 11-on-11 drills during training camp and should be ready to go for the start of the regular season, but Fields looks poised to play extended snaps Saturday while the two-time MVP is in street clothes. Fields started and played two drives in the Chiefs' 20-12 loss to the Rams in the preseason opener last week, completing four of four pass attempts for 41 yards and carrying twice for nine yards.

Trubisky (biceps) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Trubisky exited Monday's practice due to the initial biceps issue, making Wednesday's absence a pattern. The backup quarterback's injury is apparently not a huge issue, and Trubisky is still day-to-day as he manages it. If the Titans want to stay safe with their first line of defense if Cam Ward goes down, they will likely have Will Levis or Hendon Hooker play most of the snaps in Sunday's preseason showdown with the Seahawks.

Coach Sean Payton said Nix is expected to play roughly 14 snaps during Friday's preseason game against the Packers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Nix was rested preseason Week 1 in Atlanta, but he'll see his first game action this week since suffering a broken bone in his right ankle during the Broncos' divisional-round win against the Bills. After undergoing surgery shortly thereafter and another clean-up procedure in April, he took part in mandatory minicamp in June and opened training camp in late July as a full participant. Considering Nix is poised to get a possession or two Friday, he likely will get to work with new WR Jaylen Waddle in a game setting for the first time.

Allar is set to play in Friday's preseason game against the Jets, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Allar will check into the game at an undetermined time after starter Will Howard finishes his reps. Allar and Howard are likely battling for a roster spot, with Allar's three-touchdown performance and 154.8 passer rating in last Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers being the standard Howard will likely need to match to keep up on the depth chart.