NFL Player News

Texans coach Lovie Smith said that Allen will not play in Saturday's preseason game against New Orleans due to personal reasons, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Smith also added that Allen missed practice Thursday for similar undisclosed reasons, though it's still unclear just how long the quarterback is expected to miss this preseason. The 26-year-old signal-caller signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Houston in March after completing 12 of his 19 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown over two games with Washington last season. In Allen's absence, journeyman backup Jeff Driskel figures to see increased run in Saturday's game behind starter Davis Mills.

Coach Lovie Smith said Mills is in line to play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Saints, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

Prior to this statement, Smith also noted backup quarterback Kyle Allen won't play Saturday due to personal reasons, leaving Mills and Jeff Driskel as the only Texans available at the position this weekend. Smith didn't mention how much action Mills can expect to see, but it's safe to say the breakdown of snaps and possessions likely will tilt in Driskel's favor, so as not to risk Mills' health.

Coach Matt Rhule said Thursday that Darnold and Baker Mayfield will each play roughly one series apiece during Saturday's preseason game at Washington, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Darnold and Mayfield are in the midst of a quarterback competition, with the latter seeming to take on more of the first-team reps as training camp went on. That said, Rhule didn't announce who will start Saturday, only noting both players will earn 8-to-10 plays. The Panthers aren't expected to name a Week 1 starter between the two until after their second exhibition Friday, Aug. 19 at New England, at the earliest.

Coach Matt Rhule said Thursday that Mayfield and Sam Darnold will each play roughly one series apiece during Saturday's preseason contest in Washington, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

In particular, Rhule noted each quarterback will get 8-to-10 snaps, but he also didn't state who will be under center first between the duo. Mayfield took on more reps with the first-team offense as training camp progressed, so he may be the favorite to start this weekend. Still, the team isn't expected to name its No. 1 QB for the regular-season opener until after its second exhibition Friday, Aug. 19 in New England, at the earliest.

Mahomes is expected to see action in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Based on coach Andy Reid's comments, after Mahomes works in the first quarter of the contest, the team will turn to Chad Henne in the second quarter, Shane Buechele in the third and finish up with Dustin Crum in the fourth quarter. In that scenario, Mahomes may not rack up a ton of passing attempts, but he will at least have a chance to get in some game reps with Kansas City's retooled wide receiver corps.

Willis is slated to start Thursday's preseason game at Baltimore, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

With starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill in line to sit out the Titans' exhibition opener, Willis and Logan Woodside will split QB duties, earning roughly a half of work apiece, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official site. Willis, a third-round pick in this year's draft, is getting the first shot to lead the offense and will have rookie first-round wide receiver Treylon Burks at his disposal as well.

Jones is slated to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Patriots, Michael Giardi of NFL Network reports.

It remains to be seen how long Jones will be in the game, but Dan Duggan of The Athletic speculates that the Giants' healthy starters "could play as little as a series or as much as a quarter," depending on how they fare early on in the contest. Once Jones exits the game, Tyrod Taylor and Davis Webb are next in line for the team's QB reps.

Wilson won't play much, if at all, in Saturday's preseason game against Dallas, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Wilson might get a few more snaps than other top QBs this preseason, considering he and coach Nathaniel Hackett both are new to Denver. Still, it probably won't amount to much more than a few series, and perhaps in the second/third week of the preseason rather than Saturday.

Cousins wasn't feeling well Thursday and was sent home by the Vikings, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

At this stage, it's not clear how long the QB will be away from the team, with Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press relaying via coach Kevin O'Connell that it remains to be seen if Cousins will be available to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders.

The Browns will consider acquiring Garoppolo if Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension is significantly increased upon appeal by the NFL, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The range of potential outcomes for Watson at this point still includes a full-year ban. If that were to happen, the Browns would explore avenues to upgrade on backup QB Jacoby Brissett, with Garoppolo being the obvious option. The 49ers haven't been using Garoppolo in practice, instead moving on to Trey Lance as their starting quarterback. The team still hopes to trade Garoppolo but might ultimately end up releasing him.