NFL Player News

McCarthy (ankle) won't suit up for Friday's preseason game at Denver, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

McCarthy emerged from preseason Week 2 with an ankle injury, and while the Vikings were hopeful that he'd be able to play in the team's final exhibition, he'll instead remain in street clothes. After losing out on the starting QB job to Kyler Murray in early August, McCarthy has been serving as the backup in the meantime. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are the likely candidates to be under center for Minnesota on Friday.

The Browns waived Terry on Friday.

Terry signed with the Browns in mid-August to compete for a tight-end role throughout the remainder of the preseason. The tight end would have been a victim of Sunday's cutdown day and will now be placed on waivers until Monday. If Terry goes unclaimed, he will become a free agent able to sign with any franchise's 53-man roster or practice squad.

The Browns waived Patterson on Friday.

Patterson spent time with both the Jaguars and Browns this preseason, ultimately being waived by both organizations. The undrafted free agent out of UT Permian Basin will need to wait until after Sunday's cutdown day for his waiver stint to elapse. If Patterson goes unclaimed Monday, he will become a free agent able to sign with any team's roster or practice squad.

The Browns claimed Blackmon off waivers from the Colts on Friday, Howard Balzer of USA Today reports.

The move became official following the Browns' 37-13 preseason win over the Patriots on Thursday. Blackmon was able to play in all 17 regular-season games for the Colts last year after missing the entire 2024 campaign (as a member of the Vikings) due to a torn ACL. His addition gives the Browns extra depth at outside cornerback behind Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell.

The Jets waived Lacy (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Friday.

Lacy was set to miss the entire 2026 season after reverting to the Jets' IR. With the settlement, the Louisville product will have the opportunity to sign with a team and play once he is fully healthy.

The Browns released Stoll (undisclosed) with an injury settlement Friday.

Stoll was placed on IR on Aug. 20. The tight end is now a free agent and can sign with any franchise that wants his services. Stoll will likely wait until after Sunday's cutdown day to begin looking for another team to join, though the 28-year-old could also rejoin the Browns on the team's practice squad.

Pineiro made all six of his field-goal attempts in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders.

Pineiro had a flawless performance, accounting for all 18 of the 49ers' points in the contest. The kicker converted attempts from 24, 25, 48, 59, 51 and 54 yards away. Pineiro has now been perfect in back-to-back preseason contests while going 3-for-3 on kicks of 50 yards or more.

Daniels will start and likely play the entire first half of Friday's preseason game at Jacksonville, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Baker Mayfield taking a seat for preseason Week 3, Daniels will be the first QB up for the Buccaneers, followed by Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak. This appears to be an open competition for the direct back role to Mayfield, and Daniels, an undrafted rookie, so far has completed 19 of 29 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing 10 times for 28 yards and one more TD through two exhibitions.

Desrosiers turned nine carries into 118 yards and a touchdown while logging one catch (on two targets) for eight yards during the Chargers' 20-18 loss to the Rams in Thursday's preseason game. He added one kickoff return for 29 yards.

Desrosiers saw most of his playing time in the second half. He made an immediate impact in the running game with carries of 15 and 14 yards in the third quarter before adding a 33-yard rush and a 34-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth frame. Desrosiers was responsible for four of the Chargers' 10 longest plays in Thursday's game and will finish the preseason with 23 carries for 166 yards (7.2 YPC) and a touchdown over three games. He probably won't make the team's 53-man roster by the end of training camp, but Desrosiers may have shown enough to stick around in Los Angeles as a member of the Chargers' practice squad.

Watkins caught four of eight targets for 64 yards in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders.

Watkins did come down with only half of his game-leading eight targets, but the consistent attention may offset the lack of consistency. The wide receiver was the favorite target of both Mac Jones and Adrian Martinez in the contest. Watkins also returned two kicks for 48 yards and two punts for 14 yards. The 2025 fourth-rounder's versatility was on full display in Thursday's preseason finale, and he has likely confirmed a roster spot for the beginning of the 2026 regular season.