NFL Player News
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Tanner McKee QB | PHI
Eagles' Tanner McKee: Diagnosed with fractured thumb
McKee is dealing with a fractured thumb and may not be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Though McKee's injury brings his availability for the beginning of the regular season into question, Rapoport notes that the issue isn't major, adding that the fracture is to "just the top of the thumb." Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that the quarterback suffered the injury during practice and agrees that it's not expected to be a long-term issue. The Eagles traded for Sam Howell in a deal with Minnesota on Sunday, giving them insurance in case McKee does indeed to need to sit out the team's opener Thursday, Sept. 4 against Dallas.
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Brett Rypien QB | MIN
Brett Rypien: Cut following Wentz signing
The Vikings released Rypien on Sunday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Rypien had been fourth on Minnesota's QB depth chart throughout camp, but for a brief moment it looked like he could move up when the team traded Sam Howell to Philadelphia on Sunday morning. However, that move was quickly followed by the Vikings' signing of veteran Carson Wentz, and Minnesota has opted to move on from Rypien with rookie Max Brosmer claiming the No. 3 QB spot. Rypien could draw interest from another team looking to add veteran depth at the quarterback position.
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Kenny Pickett QB | LV
Browns' Kenny Pickett: Might be available Week 1
Head coach Kevin Stefanski relayed Sunday that Pickett (hamstring) could be available for the Browns' regular-season opener against the Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 7, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Pickett did not play in any of the Browns' three preseason games due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in late July. He's on track to be available for Week 1, but his role (if healthy) remains to be seen. Joe Flacco has been named as the Browns' starting quarterback for the start of the regular season, but the backup job is a three-way competition between Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Regardless of who wins the QB2 job, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that the Browns are comfortable with carrying four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster to begin the campaign.
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Tanner McKee QB | PHI
Eagles' Tanner McKee: Expected to fade IR stint
McKee's finger injury is considered minor, and the 2023 sixth-rounder isn't expected to start the regular season on injured reserve, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.
McKee missed the Eagles' last two preseason games due to a finger injury. The injury isn't severe enough for him to miss extended time, but the Eagles' acquisition of Sam Howell from the Vikings on Sunday indicates that McKee is in jeopardy of being sidelined for Week 1 against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 4.
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Aidan O'Connell QB | LV
Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks
O'Connell has a fractured right wrist and is likely to miss 6-to-8 weeks, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
O'Connell suffered the injury during Saturday's preseason loss to Arizona. It's the second major injury in as many years for the 2023 fourth-round draft selection, who had a stint on IR last season due to a fractured thumb. O'Connell had been slated to be Las Vegas' No. 2 QB behind Geno Smith, but that role now may go to rookie Cam Smith -- at least for the first several weeks of the regular season -- unless the team acquires another QB in free agency or via trade.
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Sam Howell QB | PHI
Vikings' Sam Howell: Sent to Philly
The Vikings traded Howell along with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to Philadelphia on Sunday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round selection in 2027, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Howell had been slated to back up starting QB J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota, but that role now will go to Carson Wentz, who is set to sign with the Vikings, per Rapoport. As for Howell, he'll likely be behind both Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee on the Eagles' QB depth chart, though McKee is dealing with a finger injury and may not be ready to play by Week 1. Philadelphia also has Kyle McCord currently on the roster after waiving Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday, something that may also befall McCord following this trade.
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Geno Smith QB | LV
Raiders' Geno Smith: Sharp on one drive Saturday
Smith completed two of three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders' 20-10 preseason loss to the Cardinals on Saturday night.
Smith wrapped up his preseason by cashing in on the Raiders' opening drive, one where he recorded nine- and 17-yard completions to Michael Mayer and Dont'e Thornton, respectively, with the latter throw going for a touchdown. Smith also had a 10-yard completion to Thornton on third down erased from the books thanks to Las Vegas accepting a pass interference penalty, making it an encouraging night overall for the veteran signal-caller. Smith's primary backup Aidan O'Connell notably exited with a wrist injury later in Saturday's game, so Smith could be set to be backed up by rookie sixth-round pick Cam Miller for a Week 1 road matchup against the Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 7.
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Taylor Heinicke QB | LAC
Chargers' Taylor Heinicke: Enters game after Lance
Heinicke completed three of five passes for 31 yards in Saturday's 30-23 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Heinicke was the second Chargers quarterback into the game, notably after Trey Lance. The former wasn't asked to do much-- the playcalling heavily slanted toward the run -- though Heinicke did manage to record completions of 12 and 13 yards to Oronde Gadsden and JaQuae Jackson. Saturday's usage suggests Heinicke has slipped to third on the quarterback depth chart, though that won't become entirely clear until the team's Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs.
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Trey Lance QB | LAC
Chargers' Trey Lance: Starts final preseason game
Lance completed five of eight passes for 38 yards in Saturday's 30-23 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Lance drew the start with Justin Herbert resting, though he notably played ahead of Taylor Heinicke. Lance didn't lead a scoring drive, but he did have completions of 11 and 17 yards to Jalen Reagor to account for the majority of his production. It remains to be seen if Lance or Heinicke will serve as the No. 2 quarterback in Week 1 against Kansas City, though Lance has primarily played well with plenty of opportunity this preseason.
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Quinn Ewers QB | MIA
Dolphins' Quinn Ewers: Plays late in preseason win
Ewers completed seven of eight passes for 66 yards in Saturday's 14-6 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Ewers was the third Dolphins quarterback to enter the game, and he quickly connected on a 21-yard gain with Andrew Armstrong. He otherwise attempted passes primarily in the short areas of the field while limiting mistakes. Ewers had an inconsistent first preseason as a pro and looks likely to serve as the third quarterback in Miami to begin the season.