NFL Player News

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers (calf) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's OTAs session, but the team is hopeful that the quarterback will practice fully Friday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Saleh said that Rodgers, who suffered a strained calf last week, is "fine," per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The Jets don't appear worried about the status of the veteran quarterback, which reinforces the belief that he's simply dealing with a minor injury. Saleh said Rodgers will "for sure" be back in full next week, according to Cimini.

Garoppolo's three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders contains a clause that would allow Las Vegas to release him without penalty if he's unable to pass a physical due to his surgically repaired foot, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic report.

Garoppolo fractured his left foot while playing with the 49ers in early December, then underwent surgery in March, shortly after he finalized his contract with Las Vegas. According to a waiver and release clause in the deal, Garoppolo acknowledged the risk of further injury while continuing to play upon his return from surgery, and he also waived any responsibility on the part of the Raiders, who can terminate his contract with no further obligation or financial ramifications. The waiver becomes null and void if Garoppolo passes a physical at any point during the 2023 season, however. While the terms of the deal give the Raiders an easy out to move on from Garoppolo if his recovery doesn't proceed as anticipated, the team won't have much in the way of appealing alternatives. The Raiders are left with 37-year-old journeyman Brian Hoyer, fourth-round rookie Aidan O'Connell and 2022 undrafted free agent Chase Garbers as the other signal-callers on the roster. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco are the most experienced options among an uninspiring crop of quarterbacks on the free-agent market.

Jackson said Thursday that he expects "less running and more throwing" under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reports.

It's not exactly a secret, after the Ravens parted ways with long-time, run-first OC Greg Roman and added WRs Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers. The new coordinator, Monken, spent four seasons with Tampa Bay (2016-18) and Cleveland (2019) in the same role and oversaw offenses that attempted 36.1, 37.8, 39.1 and 33.7 passes per game (Jackson's never averaged more than 31.8). Monken then opened up UGA's offense, culminating last year with QB Stetson Bennett compiling 4,128 passing yards, 27 pass TDs and 10 rushing TDs. The Ravens hope Monken can help guide Jackson from good to great as a passer, but it might mean fewer of the rush attempts that fantasy managers find so valuable. The 26-year-old QB completed 66.1 percent of his throws for 7.8 YPA and a league-high 9.0 percent TD rate back in 2019, so it isn't out of the question to make up for a dip in rushing stats with improvements in both passing volume and efficiency. Jackson is in Baltimore for the long haul after his contract saga ended at the end of April with a five-year, $260 million agreement.

Minshew shared first-team reps with Anthony Richardson on Thursday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Shane Steichen told reporters it was an important step in the Colts' evaluation of Richardson to see him with the first-stringers, adding that the fourth overall pick "made some big plays, some next-level stuff" during Thursday's practice. Minshew may still end up getting more snaps with the starters this spring, but he's got a challenge on his hands to stay atop the depth chart throughout the summer and into Week 1.

Wilson (knee) is participating in OTAs and said he feels "leaner and meaner" after losing some weight in the offseason, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Fitness was the least of his problems last year, but it's at least good to hear Wilson is healthy and feeling strong after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee this winter. The Denver offense has a bunch of other players coming back from more serious injuries/surgeries, namely RB Javonte Williams (ACL), LT Garret Bolles (broken leg) and WRs Tim Patrick (ACL) and KJ Hamler (torn pectoral). Even so, Wilson should be set up better under new coach Sean Payton than he was last year with Nathaniel Hackett, aided by pricey additions at left guard (Ben Powers) and right tackle (Mike McGlinchey) and a second-round pick at wide receiver (Marvin Mims). Any issues with the knee didn't seem to impact Wilson's mobility much last year, as a 55-277-3 rushing line in 15 games was an improvement from 43-183-2 in 14 games his final season in Seattle.

Richardson and Gardner Minshew are splitting first-team reps in 7-on-7s Thursday, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

The Colts seem open to starting Richardson as soon as Week 1 if he looks ready, rather than defaulting to Minshew's experience and track record of competence. The fourth overall pick is miles ahead of his veteran counterpart (and most other pro QBs) when it comes to physical traits, combining a strong arm with wide-receiver speed (4.44 40) and linebacker size (6-4, 244). Even if he doesn't start the season opener, Richardson will take the field at some point during his rookie year.

Hoyer is the favorite to win the backup job to Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) and will be part of the team's quarterback rotation at OTAs, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Hoyer signed a two-year deal with the Raiders in April with the expectation that he would earn the backup job. It's a role that could be fairly significant if Garoppolo is not recovered from foot surgery by Week 1, although he is expected to be. Hoyer played under head coach Josh McDaniels in New England and should be familiar with the team's offense.

Garoppolo had foot surgery in March, shortly after signing with the Raiders, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic report.

Coach Josh McDaniels didn't provide a timeline or details, though he told reporters Garoppolo's absence from spring practices was expected. The Raiders apparently discovered that the QB needed surgery during a physical exam, after he'd avoided going under the knife in December when he suffered the left foot fracture. The 31-year-old never returned from the injury last season but might've been able to do so had the 49ers won one more game and reached the Super Bowl. His new team is confident Garoppolo will be ready for Week 1, and it helps that both he and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer have played in McDaniels' offenses before.

Garoppolo (foot) hasn't been practicing and may be out until training camp, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Coach Josh McDaniels didn't say if Garoppolo had offseason surgery but did suggest that the quarterback's absence from OTA practices isn't any surprise to his new team, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic. While he avoided surgery on a broken left foot after suffering the injury in December, the 31-year-old never returned to action during the Niners' deep playoff run before signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Raiders in March. Brian Hoyer figures to get most of the first-team reps with Garoppolo not practicing, backed up by rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell and 2022 UDFA Chase Garbers.

Mahomes (ankle) has been participating in the first week of OTAs, PJ Green of Fox 4 Kansas City reports.

Mahomes played through the injury last winter and avoided surgery after the Super Bowl, but he revealed in mid-April that his ankle still wasn't quite back at full strength. Per Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid used the term "100 percent" when discussing Mahomes' health Wednesday, noting that the quarterback is "going after it" and "doing a great job" working with his teammates. There's been some change to the wideout room for a second straight offseason, with JuJu Smith-Schuster moving elsewhere and the Chiefs adding second-round pick Rashee Rice and veteran Richie James. The biggest change is at offensive tackle, where veterans Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor were signed to replace Orlando Brown (Bengals) and Andrew Wylie (Commanders). It'll likely be a downgrade on the blindside with Smith replacing Brown, but Taylor is coming off a big year for Jacksonville and received the largest contract of the three this offseason despite being a right tackle. It's still a great setup for Mahomes, aided by an elite interior offensive line and future Hall of Famers at head coach and tight end.