NFL Player News

Neither Mayfield nor Sam Darnold has pulled away from the other over the first few days of training camp, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Mayfield has had the higher highs, per Gantt, but Darnold thus far has been more consistent. While Mayfield faces a steeper learning curve after having been acquired via trade in July, his Thursday session was the sharpest from either quarterback to date. This competition may take a while to resolve, but Mayfield is the consensus favorite to eventually beat out Darnold as Carolina's Week 1 starter under center.

Darnold has been more consistent than Baker Mayfield over the first few days of Carolina's training camp, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Gantt points out that Darnold likely has benefited from having more time in the team's system than Mayfield, who was acquired via trade in July. Mayfield thus far has shown more upside but less consistency. While Mayfield is the consensus favorite to win Carolina's quarterback competition, Darnold won't make it easy to do so.

Mills studied his throw chart from his rookie season and has worked on improving his weaker areas, Mark Lane of USA Today reports.

Mills played his best football down the stretch last season, going 2-3 with a 9:2 TD:INT in his final five starts after an 0-6 start to his career. He's looking to build on his promising finish by eliminating his weaknesses, and Mills hopes he'll be able to make every throw asked of him after addressing his weak spots.

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.