NFL Player News

The NFL released a statement Monday following disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson's decision to recommend a six-game suspension for Watson for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per Pelissero, the NFL has yet to decide whether to appeal Robinson's ruling, with the statement noting, "pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL or the NFLPA on behalf of Watson may appeal the decision within three days. In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson's imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps." Jake Trotter of ESPN notes that if Watson's suspension is upheld, the quarterback still will be able to participate in practice during the preseason and would be eligible to be reinstated in advance of the Browns' Oct. 23 game at Baltimore.

Though Mahomes tweaked his ankle during Monday's practice, coach Andy Reid downplayed the issue, Charles Goldman of USA Today reports. "Yeah, he got stepped on," Reid noted of the Chiefs' starting QB. "He's OK. He's alright. An offensive lineman got pushed back into him."

With Mahomes evidently having avoided any injury of note, the star signal-caller will look to continue building his rapport with Kansas City's re-tooled wide receiver corps, which features JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore. With former top wideout Tyreek Hill now with the Dolphins, there are targets up for grabs in the team's passing game, but however they are allocated, Mahomes no doubt will benefit from the continued presence of clear-cut top end Travis Kelce.

Brissett's teammate, Deshaun Watson, is slated to serve a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Trotter notes that if Watson's suspension is upheld, he still will be able to participate in practice during the preseason. At the start of training camp, coach Kevin Stefanski indicated that Brissett would fill in as Cleveland's starting QB in the event of a Watson suspension, and as things stand, Brissett is slated to handle the role through the team's Week 6 contest against the Patriots on Oct. 16.

Per a ruling from NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, Watson is slated to be suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Prior to Robinson's ruling, the NFL Players Association announced that it wouldn't appeal the decision. According to Peliserro, the NFL has three days to file an appeal, and if that occurs, it would be heard by commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it's unclear at this stage whether the league will appeal the ruling. Per Jake Trotter of ESPN.com, if Watson's suspension is upheld, he still will be able to participate in practice during the preseason, after which Jacoby Brissett would be in line to fill in as the Browns' starting quarterback to begin the regular season.

Trevor Siemian is expected to serve as Justin Fields' backup Dustin Riese of ChicagoBearsHQ.com reports.

In his five-year career, Siemian has made starts for both the Broncos and Saints. After posting a 30:24 TD:INT in three years with Denver, he had an impressive 11:3 TD:INT with the Saints last year. However, he's yet to reach a 60 percent completion rate in any season during his career. He'd likely be an emergency fantasy option if Fields missed time.

NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson's decision regarding a possible Watson suspension is expected to be announced Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Cabot, the NFL reportedly argued for an indefinite suspension of the quarterback under the league's personal conduct policy for at least the coming season (with a chance to apply for reinstatement afterward), while the NFL Players Association argued for a shorter length of time. The report notes that once Robinson's ruling arrives, either side can appeal to league commissioner Roger Goodell, but a statement released Sunday noted that the NFLPA does not plan to do so. Watson, who has been participating in training camp, has been taking the Browns' first-team QB reps at practice, while Jacoby Brissett -- who would be in line to start if Watson is suspended -- has handled second-team snaps.

Stafford, who didn't throw during spring workouts as he dealt with a right elbow issue, has resumed throwing in training camp, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

In the process, the veteran QB has been able to begin building his on-field rapport with Allen Robinson, who was signed this offseason to bolster a wide receiver corps that also includes returnees Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson (knee), but no longer currently rosters Robert Woods (traded to the Titans) and Odell Beckham (still unsigned). Per Barshop, as training camp has progressed, the chemistry between Stafford and Robinson appears to be developing, with the report noting that the two connected on a nice play during team drills Saturday, which resulted in the signal-caller finding Robinson between two defenders in the back of the end zone.

Beathard (groin) was working on the side during training camp Sunday, John Oehser and J.P. Shadrick of the Jaguars' official site reports.

Beathard suffered the injury during practice in early June. The injury was severe enough for him to be carted off the field, but he was expected to be available for training camp. Although he is participating, it appears that he is still currently limited by the injury. Beathard is supposed to serve as Trevor Lawrence's backup, although the extra snaps with the offense for Jake Luton and Kyle Sloter could be a detriment to those expectations.

Brissett worked with the first-team offensive line after Deshaun Watson operated behind the unit Saturday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

As has been the case since camp started Wednesday, Watson was first in line behind the starting offensive front, but coaches reserved snaps for Brissett, who is expected to lead the team if/when Watson is suspended. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the potential suspension of Watson and an ensuing change in practice snap counts depending on the terms of the disciplinary action.

Prescott may not see many reps during the preseason, and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy wouldn't commit to playing his starting quarterback in either of the team's first two exhibition games, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

"We have a plan, really for the first two [preseason games]," McCarthy said Friday. "And then I think we'll evaluate." The coach emphasized that veteran players like Prescott would see plenty of action during joint practices against the Broncos and Chargers, however. "This is the first time I've done this heavy practice against other teams. We're going one (practice) against Denver, two (practices) against the Chargers. When we get past the Chargers game we'll set a plan for the Seattle week. That's what we're looking at." Prescott didn't play in the preseason at all last year while finishing his recovery from ankle surgery, but with the QB healthy in camp this time around, he could see some exhibition game action before Week 1.