NFL Player News

Winston (knee) sustained a foot injury at Monday's practice, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Initially, coach Dennis Allen noted Winston "rolled his ankle," resulting in an early exit from the session, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. But both Johnson and Jane Slater of NFL Network received confirmation after the fact that Winston is tending to a foot issue. Winston is in the later stages of his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee that he suffered Week 8 of last season, so the Saints may exercise utmost caution while he recovers from the current concern. If Winston is sidelined for any length of time, Andy Dalton is on hand to handle the reps with the first-team offense.

Burrow (appendix) is getting around practice without a cart, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Burrow returned to team meetings shortly after his late-July appendectomy and seems to be recovering along the normal timeline of 2-to-3 weeks. The Bengals don't figure to rush him, given their continuity at the skill positions and with their offensive coaching staff. They do have two or three new starters on the offensive line, all of whom profile as upgrades. Burrow is in a great situation to continue his efficient passing from last year, with the only real downside being that he hasn't used his legs the way he did at LSU. Still, he's a solid QB1, though perhaps without the fantasy ceiling of a Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts.

Lions coach Dan Campbell suggested Goff and other starters will play about one quarter in Friday's preseason game against Atlanta, Tim Twentyman of the team's official site reports.

Campbell also said the Falcons will play their starters, perhaps making this one of the few preseason openers in which the first units take the field. It's not all that surprising, given that they're two of the younger teams in the NFC, led by second-year head coaches and retread, veteran QBs surrounded by mostly young receivers. The Lions did sign DJ Chark this offseason, and Goff also has a nice array of young pass catchers at this disposal, including WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, RB D'Andre Swift and TE T.J. Hockenson, with first-round pick WR Jameson Williams (torn ACL) potentially helping somewhere down the line. The Lions also appear solid up front, giving Goff a much better situation that he had last year, albeit with similar potential for the Detroit defense to be a huge liability. Playing at home Friday night, Goff and Co. should have the edge over a talent-deficient Atlanta defense.

Coach Dennis Allen indicated that Winston (knee) "rolled his ankle" during Monday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Winston is bouncing back from a torn ACL that he suffered Week 8 last season, but so far there's nothing to suggest that Monday's issue is related to his prior injury. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the quarterback is slated to undergo further evaluation on his ankle, and if Winston is forced to miss any time, Andy Dalton is next up for first-team reps.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that Rodgers won't play during Friday's preseason contest against San Francisco, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers didn't play a single snap last preseason, so it's no surprise to see Jordan Love be handed the reins for Friday's matchup. However, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, LaFleur said the team still is considering allowing Rodgers to see the field during the Packers' final preseason matchup, Aug. 25 at Kansas City. The veteran quarterback could benefit from some additional reps with his revamped receiving corps, which includes newcomers like Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watkins (knee), in addition to incumbents Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Love will start Friday's preseason contest against the 49ers, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

LaFleur also relayed that Aaron Rodgers will sit out at least Green Bay's first two preseason contests, but that a decision hasn't yet been made about the Aug. 25 game against the Chiefs, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. It remains to be seen how many drives the 2020 first-round pick actually will lead Friday, but whatever snaps Love does take will help prepare him for handling backup duties this season. If the 49ers opt to start second-year quarterback Trey Lance, Friday's contest could prove to be one of the more intriguing matchups on the preseason slate.

Kelley was waived by the Commanders on Sunday.

Kelly joined Washington as an undrafted free agent out of Southeastern Louisiana in May. The 24-year-old threw for 5,124 yards and 44 touchdowns in 13 games during his final year there. This moves leave the Commanders with three quarterbacks on the roster, projected starter Carson Wentz, last year's starter and projected backup, Taylor Heinicke and 2022 fifth-round selection, Sam Howell.

Beathard (groin) was cleared to practice Sunday according to head coach Doug Pederson, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

Beathard was carted off the field during an early June minicamp practice, and has been out or limited since. The 28-year-old was considered the favorite to back up Trevor Lawrence, and he'll now work to regain any lost ground to Jake Luton and Kyle Sloter on those expectations, if any.

Lock completed 18 of 27 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's team scrimmage, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Lock spent four of five offensive drives with the second-team offense, where he played against the first-team defense. On the other side of the competition, Geno Smith handled nearly all the first-team reps on offense, where he battled against the second-team defense. Smith completed 10 of 19 passes for 94 yards. Lock had the inferior supporting cast and played against better competition, but he managed to put up better numbers anyway, despite those numbers being mediocre. Head coach Pete Carroll didn't make any judgements following the scrimmage, but Lock may have the edge heading into the preseason, which starts next Saturday against the Steelers.

Smith completed 10 of 19 passes for 94 yards (4.9 YPA) in Saturday's team scrimmage, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Smith played nearly the entire game with the first-team offense against the second-team defense. Meanwhile, Drew Lock operated with the second-team offense and played against the first-team defense, and he managed to complete 18 of 27 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Pete Carroll mostly avoided making any judgements about the quarterback competition in his press conference, but Lock clearly outperformed Smith on Saturday, even if the former's stat line was merely mediocre. There are still three preseason games to settle the competition, the first of which is Saturday, Aug. 13 against the Steelers.