NFL Player News

Lock will begin the 2022 season as the Seahawks' backup quarterback after coach Pete Carroll announced Geno Smith as the team's Week 1 starter following Friday's preseason loss at Dallas, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Lock only had two opportunities during exhibition season due to a positive test for COVID-19, missing preseason Week 2 in the process. But he was up and down in his two chances, completing 24 of 39 passes for 273 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, rushing three times for seven yards and taking two sacks in close to six quarters of action. Ultimately, Smith's experience in the system (and likely his availability) won out in the end, and Lock now will be holding a clipboard to kick off his first year in Seattle.

Head coach Pete Carroll announced Friday that Smith will start at quarterback Week 1 against Denver, Liz Matthews of USA Today reports. Smith was 3-for-6 passing for 43 yards and led the Seahawks to a field goal in his lone series in Friday's preseason loss to Dallas.

Smith got the first QB reps in all three preseason games and beat out Drew Lock to take over the starting job vacated by the offseason trade of Russell Wilson. Smith likely will need to play well early in the season to keep the job, however.

Mayfield completed nine of 15 passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's preseason win over the Bills.

Mayfield led four offensive drives for the team and had mixed results, barely moving the team on two occasions but also leading two touchdown drives. He was most impressive on a 12-play, 53-yard march midway through the first quarter, which was highlighted by completions of 21 and 15 yards and capped by a two-yard touchdown toss to D'Onta Foreman. Mayfield played in two of Carolina's three preseason games and completed 13 of 22 passes for 134 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He's set to draw the start against Cleveland -- his former team -- in Week 1.

Jones completed nine of 13 passes for 71 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Patriots' 23-6 preseason loss to the Raiders on Friday night. He also rushed once for 13 yards.

Jones was expected to see minimal playing time, but he ended up on the field for the Patriots' first four drives. The second-year signal-caller and his teammates didn't get much done on the first three possessions -- which likely played a part in Jones coming back out for a fourth -- but he was able to help lead an 11-play, 46-yard march that culminated in a field goal on his final series of the game. Jones will now turn his attention to a big Week 1 AFC East showdown against the Dolphins on the road Sept. 11.

Winston (knee/foot) completed all four of his passes for 59 yards in Friday's 27-10 preseason win over the Chargers.

Winston started the preseason finale, showing that he's ready for live game reps after tearing his ACL last October. He only played one drive, but WInston was sharp in limited action, hitting Jarvis Landry for gains of 20 and 15 yards before adding a 19-yard completion to rookie Chris Olave and a five-yard pass to Alvin Kamara. The possession ultimately culminated in a one-yard Mark Ingram rushing touchdown. Along with the playmakers at his disposal in this one, Winston should also have star wide receiver Michael Thomas (hamstring) available as a target in the regular season.

Darnold likely suffered a high left ankle sprain during Friday's preseason game versus the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The diagnosis follows an initial examination of Darnold's left ankle, which rolled to the inside as he was taken to the turf by a Buffalo defender in the third quarter. He already had lost the Panthers' quarterback competition to Baker Mayfield this week, and Darnold's prospects to be the No. 2 signal-caller Week 1 now have taken a hit. Darnold will undergo an MRI on Saturday to learn the severity of the injury and whether or not there's additional damage in the region, but coach Matt Rhule told Darin Gantt of the team's official site postgame that he doesn't believe he has a fracture. This marks the second significant health concern to impact Carolina's QB room following a season-ending foot injury to rookie third-rounder Matt Corral. With Corral sidelined and Darnold potentially joining him in short order, P.J. Walker is in line to back up Baker Mayfield to begin the 2022 season.

Darnold won't return to Friday's preseason game against the Bills due to a left ankle injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

In the same week in which he lost Carolina's quarterback battle to Baker Mayfield, Darnold now may be in danger of missing the start of the coming campaign after having his left ankle roll to the inside as he was taken to the ground by a Buffalo defender in the third quarter. Darnold required a cart to go to the locker room, while P.J. Walker replaced him on the team's next possession. With rookie third-rounder Matt Corral (foot) out for the season, Walker is the only healthy signal-caller on the roster behind Mayfield.

Darnold needed a cart to go to the locker room after suffering an apparent left ankle injury during Friday's preseason contest versus the Bills, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.

While throwing an incompletion, Darnold's left ankle rolled to the inside as he was taken the ground by a Bills defender. He attempted to get to his feet but was unable to put any weight on his left leg, and after trainers checked him out he went to the locker room. In a week in which he lost the Panthers' quarterback battle to Baker Mayfield, Darnold now is in danger of beginning the upcoming season in street clothes instead of in uniform and at the ready if called upon by coach Matt Rhule. With rookie third-round pick Matt Corral (foot) already out for the season, P.J. Walker is the only healthy QB currently on Carolina's roster aside from Mayfield.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Grier (groin) will be "full speed" and likely play during the first three quarters of Friday's preseason finale against the Seahawks, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Grier aggravated his groin injury during last week's exhibition game, but he played through the issue and won't be limited during the preseason finale. The 2019 third-round pick has looked solid at times during training camp, but he'll likely need to significantly outperform Cooper Rush on Friday to have a real chance at claiming the No. 2 job.

GM John Schneider told Seattle Sports 710 AM that Smith will play "a series or two" during Friday's preseason game at Dallas, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Smith thus will get the first QB reps in all three of the Seahawks' exhibitions, but his workload will be far less than in the first two contests, when he handled the entire first half both times. This time around, he'll welcome back Drew Lock after the latter sat out preseason Week 2 due to a positive test for COVID-19. The competition between Smith and Lock remains unsettled, but Smith has maintained his lead from the offseason program into training camp and the preseason, so it appears he's the favorite to be under center for Seattle in Week 1.