NFL Player News

Brissett's chances of starting multiple games in 2022 appear to be increasing due to expanding legal issues surrounding Deshaun Watson in addition to the Browns' strained relationship with Baker Mayfield.

The news cycle has once again been busy on the Watson front in the early part of this week, with Sarah Barshop and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reporting that two new civil lawsuits against the star quarterback have been filed. Brissett presumably appealed to the Browns as a backup option due to his previous experience of having to take on a starting role on short notice while he was a member of the Colts; a similar scenario could very well come into play in Cleveland, considering a league investigation into Watson may now expand given the latest legal developments.

The Browns have excused Mayfield (shoulder) from next week's mandatory minicamp, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Mayfield will remain away from team facilities during mandatory minicamp without being subjected to fines. The 2018 first-round pick also hasn't attended voluntary OTAs, as both he and the team remain in favor of a trade following Cleveland's decision to bring in Deshaun Watson earlier this offseason. Mayfield is continuing to rehab from January shoulder surgery, so it's possible he wouldn't be handling on-field reps even if he were motivated to participate in team activities.

Corral (personal) returned to OTAs on Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Corral spent time away from the team during last week's voluntary offseason work due to a family tragedy. The rookie third-round pick will now resume working to pick up Carolina's offensive scheme, and to potentially compete with Sam Darnold for the starting quarterback job.

Beathard's recent groin injury isn't expected to require surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Beathard was carted off the practice field Monday after suffering the injury, but the quarterback appears to have avoided a significant issue. The 2017 third-round pick is the favorite to be Trevor Lawrence's primary backup in 2022, but his recent injury may give Jake Luton and EJ Perry an opportunity to compete for a larger role.

Jones (neck) has been cleared for contact, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Jones missed the final six games of the 2021 campaign due to a neck strain, but he appears to have moved past the issue with new Giants head coach Brian Daboll saying the quarterback would suit up if the Giants had a game Tuesday. Regardless, health isn't the only concern for Jones, who sports a 22:17 TD:INT the past two seasons after throwing for 3,027 yards and 24 touchdowns across 13 appearances as a rookie.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Rodgers will participate in Tuesday's mandatory minicamp after skipping the team's voluntary OTAs, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

While Rodgers skipped OTAs, LaFleur noted that he still was in communication with the reigning MVP about the offseason game plan during the quarterback's time away from the team. Regardless, Rodgers' absence still sparked speculation due to his grievances with Green Bay's front office during the prior two offseasons. However, after signing a four-year extension in March, the veteran quarterback appears to be content with the current position of the Packers, even after they traded Davante Adams this offseason.

Beathard was carted off the practice field Monday after injuring his groin during practice, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

An MRI is pending to determine the severity of the injury. Beathard is the favorite to be Trevor Lawrence's primary backup in 2022 after occupying that same position in 2021, but that's now up in the air until he gets his imaging results. Jake Luton, whom Jacksonville signed in February after he spent a season on Miami's practice squad, also is on hand for the Jaguars.

Beathard was loaded onto a cart and brought to the locker room after apparently sustaining an injury at practice Monday, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

It's unclear what exactly the injury is or when the Jaguars can reasonably expect Beathard to return, but it's a situation worth monitoring considering he was the primary backup to Trevor Lawrence in 2021 and the favorite to retain that position in 2022.

The 49ers have excused Garoppolo (shoulder) from this week's mandatory minicamp, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

San Francisco's three-day mandatory minicamp will take place beginning Tuesday, but Garoppolo will be able to stay away from the team without incurring fines. The 30-year-old quarterback is recovering from right shoulder surgery and expected to resume throwing this month, but his rehab will continue away from the 49ers' facilities. By all accounts, 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance is primed for a chance at the starting role this season, and coach Kyle Shanahan said back in May that he expects Garoppolo to be traded this offseason.

As Jones approaches his second NFL season, the quarterback's increased leadership has caught the eye of his teammates, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

"It's just at another level now," receiver Kendrick Bourne noted of the leadership Jones has displayed this offseason. "He's more comfortable, more confident. He knows what's going on, and the muscle memory is there [from having gone through it] -- OTAs, then camp, and the season. He's just more locked in, more secure in his position." Jones, who Reiss indicates is a candidate to become a team captain in advance of Week 1, is also noticeably thinner these days due to a changed diet, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports. Meanwhile, the 2021 first-rounder hopes to add some muscle to to his 6-foot-3 frame in order to better withstand hits as well as improve his arm strength. This coming season, Jones, who turns 24 in September, will continue to helm an attack that figures to be fueled by the RB duo of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, but the Patriots' offseason trade for DeVante Parker and the drafting of speedy Tyquan Thornton does add to the team's solid array of passing targets. There's definitely room for Jones to make strides in Year 2, but his fantasy upside remains tied to New England's approach on offense now that long-time coordinator Josh McDaniels has moved on.