NFL Player News

Watson's hearing before the NFL and NFLPA's jointly appointed disciplinary officer ended Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

After three days in front of the officer, the league is drawing closer to concluding its 15-month long investigation into Watson, who faced 24 civil suits for allegations of sexual misconduct. All but four of those were settled Tuesday, June 21, and among them one suit added his former team, the Texans, as a defendant Monday. According to Cabot, the officer requested that post-hearing briefs from both parties be filed the week of July 11. Once those are submitted, a ruling on Watson's punishment likely won't be announced until mid-July, at the earliest, after which he'll have an opportunity to appeal any proposed suspension. As Cabot reported Monday, the NFL is aiming for an indefinite ban of at least one year.

Watson's hearing in front of the NFL and NFLPA's jointly appointed disciplinary officer began Tuesday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The NFL is at the tail end of its 15-month long investigation into Watson's legal situation, which included 24 civil suits for allegations of sexual misconduct. Of those, 20 were settled last Tuesday while four are pending, with one of them amending its wording Monday to name the Texans as a defendant. According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the league is seeking an indefinite suspension which would last at least one year, but there remains no timetable for the disciplinary officer to make a decision on the matter.

Mayfield (shoulder) hasn't totally ruled out the possibility of a reconciliation with the Browns, but at this stage the signal-caller is ready to move on from the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2018, ESPN's Jake Trotter reports.

"I think for that to happen there would have to be some reaching out," Mayfield noted of potentially remaining with Cleveland in the event that fellow quarterback Deshaun Watson is handed a lengthy suspension. "But we're ready to move on, I think -- on both sides." Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are still trying to trade Mayfield, who is reportedly fully recovered from a torn labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder and is slated to be full go for the start of training camp. As things stand, however, it's presumed that Jacoby Brissett would handle the team's starting duties (backed up by Joshua Dobbs) if Watson is suspended.

Jackson reported to the Ravens' minicamp at 220 pounds after adding upwards of 15 pounds of muscle mass during the offseason.

The added strength is notable for Jackson as a quarterback who relies heavily on his rushing ability to threaten defenses. He missed the final four games of the 2021 season due to an ankle injury suffered in Cleveland, and the added bulk could help Jackson hold up over the course of the 17-game season. Reports around camp also noted that his offseason work as a passer was also paying dividends, as his passes had more zip and his fundamentals looked more crisp. Jackson is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, but an extension could be on the table before the season gets underway.

Garoppolo (shoulder) is expected to resume throwing in the coming weeks, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The 49ers have maintained the veteran quarterback is still on pace to participate in training camp after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery in early March, but Garoppolo has yet to participate in any offseason OTAs as he continues to rehab from the injury. Second-year quarterback Trey Lance has taken all the starting reps in Garoppolo's absence and figures to be the frontrunner for the starting job, especially if the 30-year-old continues to miss time.

Watson has reached confidential settlements in 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed against him, NFL.com and Sarah Barshop of ESPN report.

In a statement Tuesday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy noted "today's development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process." The quarterback, who was traded from the Texans to the Browns in March, faces potential discipline from the NFL, which is independently investigating whether Watson violated the league's personal-conduct policy. The NFL.com report indicated that a timeline for such a determination has not been provided.

Grier has been rotated in as the Cowboys' third-string quarterback during mandatory minicamp this past week, Mickey Spagnola of the team's official site reports.

Grier was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury in January after failing to find the field during his first season with the Cowboys. The 2019 third-round pick has logged just two games in his NFL career, throwing for 228 yards and four interceptions on 28-of-52 passing as a rookie in Carolina. Grier's current standing on Dallas' depth chart suggests that he will continue to compete for a spot on the team's final 53-man roster this offseason.

Prescott is expected to have more leeway to make plays outside the pocket this season, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The quarterback won't suddenly become a top rushing threat a la Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts, but Prescott's passing numbers throughout his career have been better when he's been on the move. He wasn't allowed out of the pocket as much in 2021 after coming off multiple ankle surgeries the prior offseason and then dealing with a midseason calf issue. In fact, his 99 dropbacks with a rollout or scramble were the fewest of his career over a full season, even though he still posted a quarterback rating of 112.1 on those attempts. The 28-year-old appears to be fully healthy ahead of training camp and looks ready to use his legs again. He could also be more active again as a runner in the red zone in 2022. After scoring exactly six rushing touchdowns in each of his first three NFL seasons, Prescott ran for only one in 2021.

Burrow (knee) is practicing Wednesday without a brace on his left leg, the Associated Press reports.

Burrow wore a brace on his left knee all last season after suffering ACL and MCL injuries as a rookie. The 25-year-old also battled an MCL sprain in his right knee during the Bengals' 2021 playoff run that culminated in a Super Bowl loss to the Rams, but he didn't need to undergo offseason surgery. Burrow has been taking part in spring practices, and though the Bengals haven't yet officially announced that the quarterback has received full medical clearance, everything appears to be trending in the right direction. Burrow was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL last season (51), but he heads into the 2022 campaign with a revamped offensive line. Cincinnati kicks off training camp July 30.

Ehlinger appears to be firmly slotted into the No. 3 spot on the Colts' quarterback depth chart, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.

Ehlinger entered the offseason as the No. 2 QB behind Carson Wentz, who's now a Commander. However, the addition of Nick Foles in May pushed Ehlinger down a notch, as the Colts found the veteran backup they were seeking to complement new starter Matt Ryan.