NFL Player News

The Panthers waived Grier on Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Grier, a 2019 third-round pick, wasn't able to beat out P.J. Walker for the backup gig behind Sam Darnold. The 26-year-old is coming off back-to-back impressive preseason outings, so it may be that the Panthers are hoping to bring him back via the practice squad. Of course, another team could interrupt those plans by claiming Grier off waivers.

The Cowboys waived DiNucci on Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Cowboys cut both DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert on Tuesday, leaving Cooper Rush as the backup to Dak Prescott (shoulder). As a rookie last season, DiNucci completed 23 of 43 passes for 219 yards without a touchdown or interception in three appearances.

Jones will begin the season as the Patriots' starting quarterback after Cam Newton was released Tuesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Jones apparently showed enough to not only win the starting job but also push Newton off the roster. With Jarrett Stidham (back) on the PUP list and likely out for at least the first half of the season, 35-year-old Brian Hoyer is the only remaining quarterback on the Patriots' active roster behind the rookie out of Alabama. As such, Jones should have a long leash to work through any struggles, especially after splitting first-team reps all summer. He'll start things off with a home game against the Dolphins in Week 1, followed by a trip to the Meadowlands to face the Jets in Week 2 and then home dates with the Saints (Week 3) and Buccaneers (Week 4).

Walker is one of two quarterbacks on Carolina's roster after the team cut Will Grier on Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Walker appears to have won the No. 2 job for a second straight year, despite completing just 16 of 39 passes (41.0 percent) this preseason. He at least avoided any sacks or interceptions, after throwing five picks on 56 pass attempts for the Panthers last season. Walker did dominate in the XFL back in 2020, and he'll have talented pass catchers surrounding him if he replaces Sam Darnold at any point this year.

Driskel was cut by the Texans on Monday, independent NFL journalist Aaron Wilson reports.

Driskel wasn't expected to make the roster with expected starter Tyrod Taylor and rookie third-round pick Davis Mills on the team in addition to Deshaun Watson, who could reportedly be a healthy scratch all year. The 28-year-old quarterback has played in 15 games (nine starts) over the last three seasons, completing 59 percent of his passes for 2,120 yards (6.1 YPA), 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for 309 yards and three scores. Driskel may serve as practice-squad depth for the Texans.

Rypien was waived by the Broncos on Monday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Teddy Bridgewater will start at quarterback for the Broncos while Drew Lock serves as the backup. Rypien played in three games last season with one start, completing 68 percent of his passes for 295 yards (7.4 YPA), two touchdowns and four interceptions. If he clears waivers, he'll land on the practice squad.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Lance emerged from Sunday's preseason win against the Raiders with "a small chip in his finger" and will be out approximately one week, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Lance appeared to jam a finger on his right throwing hand in the second quarter Sunday, but he was able to gut it out en route to 6-for-13 passing for 46 yards and six carries for eight yards and one touchdown. The rookie and Jimmy Garoppolo alternated series and snaps during the contest, with both QBs scoring short TD runs. This injury may have hurt Lance's chances to be named the Week 1 starter, which was trending to be Garoppolo anyway. However, Lance has two weeks to heal up in advance of the 49ers' season opener Sept. 12 at Detroit, where he'll likely be used in certain packages, assuming he's healthy and available.

Blough will enter the season as the No. 2 quarterback after it was determined that Tim Boyle (thumb) will undergo surgery for a broken right thumb, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

While it's not clear if Boyle will miss the entire season, Blough is set to serve as the backup for as long as the free-agent acquisition is sidelined. When forced into action for five games with Detroit in 2019, Blough managed 5.7 yards per pass attempt with a 54 percent completion rate.

The Texans are prepared to have Watson on their 53-man roster and inactive every week, independent NFL journalist Aaron Wilson reports.

Watson has a standing trade request, and with no deal imminent as he faces 22 civil lawsuits for allegations of sexual assault, the Texans will keep him on the roster but away from the field. The team tried to talk him into sticking around earlier in the offseason, but at this point it may be resigned to trading him -- be it next week or next offseason.

McSorley (back) returned to practice Monday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

The Penn State product seems to have recovered from his back injury and will be ready to go for his presumed No. 2 role behind Lamar Jackson this season.