NFL Player News

Coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa will play in the Dolphins' preseason finale against the Jaguars on Saturday, Tom D'Angelo of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Tagovailoa will play "more than a series, less than a half," according to McDaniel. In the same breath, McDaniel praised Tagovailoa's offseason work, which recently drew criticism from ESPN on-air personality Ryan Clark. "I can say hard facts that I've seen with my own eyes and it's been top five on the team," McDaniel said about the QB's work ethic. "Every metric of strength that is measured he's shattered his previous highs and in some instances he's almost twice as strong with things. And that's a daily commitment that he hasn't wavered from. He's taken nutrition to another level. He's taken his commitment to what he's trying to do and really thought outside the box, and really, really worked at it. I couldn't be happier with the work that he's put in and what I've actually viewed from my own eyes."

Clifford has officially been named the Packers' top backup to Jordan Love, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

No surprise here, as Clifford has operated as Green Bay's primary backup all through training camp and the preseason thus far. He beat out Alex McGough for the opportunity to back up Jordan Love under center. The rookie fifth-round pick is second in passing yards (345) among all quarterbacks through two preseason games.

Coach Matt Eberflus said on Thursday that Fields and the Bears' starters will play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Bills, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

The coaches will meet later and determine just how long the starters will play in the final exhibition. Fields played seven snaps in the preseason opener before getting the second one off last week. Fields went a perfect three of three passing for 129 yards and two touchdowns back in Week 1 of the preseason versus the Titans.

Ridder is not expected to play in the Falcons' preseason finale against the Steelers Thursday night, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

The Falcons are not expected to play any of their starters in the final exhibition ahead of Week 1, and instead Logan Woodside is likely to see plenty of reps against Pittsburgh in an effort to convince the coaching staff to keep him around as the QB3 behind Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. In total this preseason, Ridder played 17 offensive snaps, completing seven of nine pass attempts for 80 scoreless yards and a red-zone interception.

Mariota will start Friday against the Colts, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Mariota is only expected to play one series before giving way to Tanner McKee, and eventually Ian Book. The Oregon product has struggled at times learning his new team's offense during training camp, but he's fully expected to remain the team's No. 2 option behind Jalen Hurts this season.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said on Thursday that Lance is "most likely" going to remain with the 49ers as the third quarterback, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports.

Shanahan admitted the team is exploring all options for Lance after he lost the QB2 job to Sam Darnold on Wednesday, but "the most likely option is that he's here." Shanahan did say he'd look to do right by Lance if a change of scenery is needed, but the 49ers were ravaged by quarterback injuries last season and could be hesitant to send one away. Lance's trade value is the lowest it's been at any point. Perhaps a strong showing in the final preseason contest could get another team to surrender a mid-round pick, but San Francisco might not be willing to move on yet.

Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Thursday that Dobbs will open the coming season as the Browns' No. 2 QB, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

With Kellen Mond having been waived Thursday, 2023 fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson slots in as the team's QB3 ahead of Week 1. Dobbs thus is next in line for regular-season signal-caller reps in the event that starter Deshaun Watson misses any time.

Hurts is unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason game against Indianapolis, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It sounds like the Eagles will focus on competitions for back-end roster spots, with even No. 2 QB Marcus Mariota expected to play just one series. Hurts can soon turn his focus to the regular season, opening with a trip to New England on Sept. 10 and then a home game against the Vikings four days later (Sept. 14). His toughest matchups are mostly bunched together in early November through early December during a five-game stretch in which the Eagles face Dallas (twice), Kansas City, Buffalo, San Francisco

White is still in the league's concussion protocols despite practicing Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

White entered protocols Monday and after returning to the field Wednesday, it was believed he had been fully cleared. However, the 28-year-old still hasn't made it through every step of the protocol. Head coach Mike McDaniel has stated White will not play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Jaguars, even if he's been cleared to play.

Mond was waived by the Browns on Thursday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Mond was unable to surpass Joshua Dobbs or Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the depth chart during training camp and the preseason and will ultimately be the odd man out even if Cleveland chooses to keep two backup quarterbacks behind starter Deshaun Watson. The 2021 third-round selection will now work to find another opportunity.