NFL Player News

Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while rushing twice for minus-1 yard during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

The reigning NFL MVP looked anything but during a shockingly poor performance by his side of the ball, and Stafford finished with his lowest passing yardage total since Week 11 of last season. The veteran signal-caller tossed his one interception shortly before the halfway point of the second quarter on a pass intended for Puka Nacua just inside the 49ers' 15-yard line, a play that was costly both from the standpoint of the potential scoring opportunity it short-circuited and the fact it led to a San Francisco touchdown. Stafford's first chance to atone comes in a Week 2 home matchup against what is expected to be a fearsome Giants pass rush on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while adding five rushes for 29 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

After an offseason in which the Rams' fearsome pass rush garnered plenty of headlines, Purdy navigated the season-opening matchup against his talented NFC West rival in nearly flawless fashion. The fifth-year signal-caller got off to a fast start with new No. 1 receiver Mike Evans, connecting with him on three occasions for 22 yards during a 15-play opening drive that culminated in a field goal. Purdy went on to hit Evans for a contested two-yard scoring strike early in the third quarter, and he sandwiched impressive touchdown tosses to Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel of 39 and 15 yards, respectively, around that play. Purdy's early second-quarter interception on a pass intended for George Kittle did lead to the Rams' only touchdown, but as the final numbers indicate, the veteran quarterback did more than enough to atone. Purdy should have a strong chance of carrying over the season-opening momentum into Week 2, as a home date with what's expected to be a vulnerable Dolphins defense awaits on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Simpson is inactive as the Rams' emergency third quarterback for Thursday's matchup against San Francisco in Melbourne, Australia, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

It thus appears Stetson Bennett has won Los Angeles' No. 2 QB job, at least for the first game of the season. Simpson, who was taken by the Rams in the first round of April's NFL Draft, can make his NFL debut Thursday only if both starter Matthew Stafford and Bennett have to exit due to injury, illness, or ejection.

Lock is likely to start Week 2 against the Cardinals, as Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports that Sam Darnold (hip) is expected to miss at least one game.

Lock stepped up in relief after Darnold was hurt in the first quarter of Wednesday's season opener, as the backup guided the Seahawks to a 13-10 win over the Patriots while finishing the game with 187 passing yards and one touchdown. Darnold hasn't officially been ruled out for Week 2, but the Seahawks are likely to take a cautious approach with their starting QB since the strength of Seattle's team is the defense, so Lock is in good position to hold the fort effectively while Darnold recovers. Lock has a 10-18 career regular-season record as a starter.

Bennett is set to work as the Rams' backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford on Thursday versus San Francisco, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

Rookie Ty Simpson has been deemed Los Angeles' emergency third quarterback for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia, leaving Bennett to serve as Stafford's backup. Bennett has yet to take an NFL regular-season snap and doesn't figure to see action Thursday unless Stafford has to exit early or the game turns into a blowout by either side.

Bagent (back) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Bagent was competing with veteran Case Keenum for the No.2 quarterback job during the preseason, but Bagent's injury issue might make the team's decision an easy one in Week 1. Unless he's able to practice in some capacity Friday, it's unlikely Bagent will suit up for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Tagovailoa (oblique) is considered day-to-day due to the strained oblique that he suffered during Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.

Tagovailoa went to the ground during individual drills Thursday and then grabbed at his back after getting to his feet. Subsequently, he missed the rest of the session while reserve QB Cooper Rush handled all the reps with the first-team offense. Tagovailoa officially was a limited participant in the Falcons' second practice of Week 1 prep, and the potential now exists for him to join Michael Penix (knee) in street clothes this weekend. The team may make a decision on Tagovailoa's status as soon as Friday's injury report, and if he's ruled out, Rush would be in line to direct Atlanta's offense Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Mahomes (knee) opened Week 1 prep as a full practice participant Thursday.

Per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com, head coach Andy Reid relayed prior to the Chiefs' first official practice of Week 1 that Mahomes was "geared up and ready to go" for the season opener Monday versus the Broncos. The quarterback backed up his coach's optimism by taking every rep with the first-team offense Thursday, setting the stage for him to play in his first game since his 2025 season came to an end Dec. 14, when he sustained a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. Mahomes made tremendous strides in his rehab from surgery and was cleared for full practices prior to training camp, and though he didn't play in any preseason games, he steered clear of any setbacks with his knee. According to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com, Mahomes said that he'll continue to wear a protective brace on his knee, and while the Chiefs aren't expected to alter their game plans as a result, the 30-year-old could naturally scale back his involvement as a runner coming off major surgery.

Tagovailoa was limited at Thursday's practice by an oblique injury, according to the Falcons' official site.

It appeared Tagovailoa was dealing with a back injury, but it turns out he's actually tending to an oblique issue. This is a curveball for the Falcons, who are already shorthanded at quarterback with Michael Penix (knee) out for the opener. With Tagovailoa tending to the injury, the Falcons gave all the first-team reps to Cooper Rush on Thursday. Suddenly, Friday's injury report becomes one of the most impactful ones across the whole league as the Falcons could be down their top two quarterbacks for Week 1 if Tagovailoa doesn't bounce back quickly.

Rush took all of the first-team reps at Thursday's practice while Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was unable to participate, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Michael Penix (knee) has already been ruled out, so if Tagovailoa is sidelined by the oblique injury he suffered during individual drills Thursday, Rush would be next in line to get tabbed for the Week 1 start Sunday against the Steelers, ahead of undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Tagovailoa officially went down as a limited participant Thursday, per Raimondi. Rush has a career 9-7 record as a regular-season starter, having gone 9-5 with the Cowboys from 2021 through 2024 but 0-2 with the Ravens last season.