NFL Player News

Gabriel will start at quarterback in Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gabriel has seen limited action during the preseason, but with fellow signal-callers Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders set to sit out Thursday -- per the same source -- Gabriel will get an extended look. One of the other quarterbacks is expected to be announced as Cleveland's starter Monday, and Gabriel will presumably open the regular season behind both.

Sanders will learn Monday if he or Deshaun Watson will start at quarterback for the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The two signal-callers have alternated starting reps so far this preseason, as Watson started the first half of Cleveland's preseason opener while Sanders started in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to Buffalo. The 24-year-old Sanders outplayed Watson during the second exhibition, going 9-for-11 passing for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but neither quarterback has obviously pulled away in the competition this preseason. In any case, word on the team's Week 1 starter is on track to arrive Monday via coach Todd Monken, while both Sanders and Watson are not slated to play in Thursday's preseason finale. The Browns' regular-season opener will come versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Watson will learn Monday if he or Shedeur Sanders will be named the starting quarterback for the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The two quarterbacks have gone back and forth on reps during the preseason. Watson started the first half of Cleveland's preseason opener, but then he didn't play until after halftime when Sanders started in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to Buffalo. The 30-year-old has completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards and zero touchdowns to one interception through two exhibition game appearances. With neither quarterback obviously pulling away in the competition this preseason, it's possible that whoever is named the Week 1 starter could be on a short leash. Cleveland will open its 2026 campaign versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Head coach Jeff Hafley said Sunday that he's "hopeful" that Ewers (groin) will return to practice this week, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ewers sustained a groin injury during the Dolphins' preseason opener against the Commanders, and the injury prevented him from playing in Saturday's 26-3 loss to the Giants. A return to practice this week is crucial for the 2025 seventh-rounder, as it would put him on track to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons. Ewers is currently leading the backup quarterback competition against Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski.

Tagovailoa's teammate, Michael Penix (knee), is in line to return to 11-on-11 drills in Monday's practice, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Penix had been participating in practice since training camp began but hadn't yet been cleared for contact or full-team work. However, coach Kevin Stefanski relayed Saturday that the QB has been given the green light to practice without restrictions. With one preseason game remaining, the Falcons have yet to settle on a starting quarterback, and Penix's looming return to team drills sets the stage for him to have an opportunity to compete with Tagovailoa on equal footing ahead of Week 1. It remains to be seen what the team's plans are for the two signal-callers in Friday's exhibition finale against the Dolphins, and at this stage Stefanski hasn't outlined a timeline for when he'll make a call on his starter for Atlanta's Sept. 13 contest against the Steelers.

Milton completed nine of 13 passes for 179 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed three times for two yards and another score in the Cowboys' 34-13 preseason win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

Milton drew the start and immediately led the Cowboys on a 12-play, 66-yard march that ended on downs at the Cardinals' 12-yard line. However, Dallas got the ball back three plays later thanks to an interception, and Milton cashed in on the short field with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Malik Davis. The strong-armed third-year pro then connected with Jonathan Mingo on a perfectly thrown 53-yard scoring strike down the left side of the field the next time he had the ball, and Milton would run it in himself from a yard out to cap off the following possession. He'd subsequently lead the Cowboys to three more points to finish out his stellar first half. Milton may have already locked in the No. 2 quarterback job over Sam Howell with Friday's preseason finale at home against the Saints still to be played.

Nussmeier completed nine of 17 passes for 74 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Chiefs' 16-15 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday.

For the second time in as many preseason games, the rookie seventh-round pick followed starter Justin Fields into the contest. Nussmeier once again mostly kept his throws close to the line of scrimmage while averaging just 4.4 yards per attempt, but he did lead the Chiefs to a field goal on a 13-play drive during his first possession beginning just past the midway point of the second quarter. Nussmeier is likely to see plenty of action and potentially even draw a starting assignment in Friday's home preseason finale against the Seahawks.

Fields completed nine of 12 passes for 64 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed once for 15 yards in the Chiefs' 16-15 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Kansas City.

Fields drew the start due to Patrick Mahomes being inactive and got his night off to a sluggish start, moving the Chiefs just 30 yards on 12 plays over the first three drives. However, the veteran signal-caller found his rhythm in the second quarter, when he led Kansas City to a field goal via an 11-play, 43-yard march on what turned out to be his final possession. Fields is set to operate as the No. 2 quarterback come the regular season, serving as a highly mobile and experienced emergency option should injury befall Mahomes again.

Morton completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing once for minus-1 yard in the Patriots' 24-21 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday.

The 2026 seventh-round pick followed Tommy DeVito into the game and finished out the Patriots victory by throwing a game-winning 37-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro. Given DeVito's experience edge, Morton projects to serve as an emergency third quarterback throughout the 2026 season barring injuries to the former or Drake Maye, but Morton could play close to the full game in the preseason finale on the road against the Browns on Thursday.

Brosmer completed 11 of 17 passes for 98 yards and an interception while logging a four-yard carry during the Vikings' 13-3 preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday.

Brosmer ended up seeing additional playing time as the Vikings' third quarterback in the game after J.J. McCarthy left early due to an undisclosed injury. Brosmer was under center for the entire second half and led an 11-play, 57-yard drive into Ravens territory in the fourth quarter, but the drive ended after this short throw for Terrill Davis was picked off by Silas Walters. McCarthy and Carson Wentz are battling for the backup job behind starter Kyler Murray, and Brosmer will likely be on the Vikings' practice squad to open the regular season. Minnesota's preseason finale takes place Friday on the road against Denver.