NFL Player News

Rypien will start Saturday's preseason finale against the Vikings, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

With Denver's No. 2 quarterback competition heating up heading into the 2022 campaign, Rypien will start and play for the first half of the contest. The 26-year-old signal caller will have the chance to win the backup job if he has another strong performance similar to Week 2 of the preseason, in which he completed 22 of 26 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown against the Bills. Josh Johnson, however, has been impressive in his own right and offers a lot of experience as an eight-year veteran in the league. Rypien and Johnson will each get a half to prove that they deserve to be Russell Wilson's backup when the Broncos open their season against the Seahawks on Sept. 12.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said "any scenario is possible" when asked about Garoppolo's future with the 49ers on Tuesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

The 49ers presumably still hope to trade Garoppolo before his contract becomes guaranteed Sept. 10. The team likely would release him if there's no trade to be had, but Shanahan won't tip his hand just yet. Garoppolo hasn't been practicing with the team or playing in preseason games.

Coach Pete Carroll said the competition between Lock and Geno Smith is even, adding that Lock will get a lot of snaps in the preseason finale Friday against Dallas, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Lock was scheduled to start the second preseason game last Thursday against Chicago before he tested positive for COVID-19. He returned to practice over the weekend and should now get a bunch of snaps for the second time this preseason, having previously gone 11-for-15 for 102 yards and two TDs in the Seattle's preseason opener. Smith also played well in that game, but in the team's second preseason contest he failed to produce any points on seven drives, keeping the door open for Lock.

Corral (foot) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, ruling him out for the 2022 season, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Players placed on IR before the end of the preseason aren't eligible to return. Corral struggled in two exhibition appearances before suffering a Lisfranc injury, and he likely would've been a gameday inactive to start his career if he'd stayed healthy. The rookie third-round pick faces a lengthy rehab after Lisfranc surgery, but the Panthers won't need to rush him back and presumably will have other options at quarterback next year, be it Baker Mayfield, a rookie or a new veteran. The 23-year-old Corral gets a redshirt year and can only hope for a shot to compete for the top spot next offseason.

The Steelers released Oladokun on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Oladokun was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, but evidently he didn't show his coaches enough to earn a roster spot ahead of the regular season. Pittsburgh is left with a competition between Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph at quarterback, while Oladokun will have to look for another opportunity elsewhere.

Fields is expected the play the entire first half in Saturday's preseason finale against the Browns, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

In addition to Fields, most of the starters will play the first half as well. This will be the offense's final tune-up before taking the field Week 1 against the 49ers.

With coach Matt LaFleur noting Tuesday that the Packers' key starters won't play in Thursday's preseason finale against Kansas City, Rodgers' next game action is slated to come Week 1 against the Vikings, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The Packers have little to gain by exposing Rodgers to preseason contact, so look for the veteran QB's focus to turn to building chemistry with a Green Bay wideout corps that no longer includes Davante Adams. As things stand, Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs profile as Rodgers' top options at the position.

Lawrence and other starters won't play in the Jaguars' third and final preseason game Saturday against Atlanta, Hays Carlyon of 1010 AM WJXL Jacksonville reports.

Lawrence played multiple drives in each of the first two games, completing 20 of 33 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown and adding 24 rushing yards. His next appearance will come Week 1 at Washington, facing a defense that was one of the league's best in 2020 and one of its worst in 2021, as no team allowed more fantasy points to quarterbacks last year.

The Jaguars signed Luton on Tuesday, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Luton was waived by Jacksonville a week ago, but he'll return to the squad ahead of the team's final preseason contest. The 2020 sixth-round pick appeared in each of the Jaguars' first two exhibition contests and completed 22 of 38 passes for 186 yards and one interception. In a corresponding move, the team waived Ryan Santoso.

Ridder completed 10 of 13 passes for 143 yards in Monday's preseason loss to the Jets.

Ridder entered the game for the Falcons' fourth offensive possession and led the team on two effective drives prior to halftime. Though Atlanta had to settle for field goals on both occasions -- primarily the product of penalties -- the rookie third-round pick showed the ability to push the ball deep by connecting for long gains of 34, 20, 18 and 17 yards to an assortment of backup skill-position players. Despite the strong performance, Ridder figures to open the regular season as the backup to Marcus Mariota.