NFL Player News

The Raiders expect Mariota to miss multiple weeks after he aggravated an existing quadriceps injury in Monday's 33-27 overtime win over the Ravens, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mariota picked up the injury on a 31-yard run on what proved to be his lone play of the game in the season opener. While Derek Carr is secure as Las Vegas' No. 1 quarterback, head coach Jon Gruden had planned to make use of Mariota's running ability in a few packages per game, so the signal-caller's expected absence will rob the Raiders of a dynamic weapon. Nathan Peterson will step in as the top understudy to Carr for however long Mariota is sidelined.

Burrow took 53 percent of Sunday's snaps under center after averaging around 80 percent of his snaps in shotgun formation last year, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports.

The change possibly signals the Bengals are more committed to the running game this season, particularly in OL coach Frank Pollack's wide zone-centric scheme, and that taking snaps under center suggests play-action can be more effective. Of course, it's also easier to emphasize the run and taking snaps under center when you already have the lead, as the Bengals did for most of the second half last week.

Mariota (quadriceps) missed practice Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Mariota injured his quadriceps in his only snap in Monday's season-opening win over the Ravens. The quarterback was able to run for a big gain early in the game, which resulted in his injury. If Mariota is unable to play Sunday against the Steelers, expect Nathan Peterman to takeover as Derek Carr's backup.

Watson sat out Wednesday's practice for non-injury reasons.

After he was inactive for the Texans' season-opening win over the Jaguars, Watson is headed for another healthy scratch Sunday at Cleveland. The Texans and the NFL seem content to keep Watson on the roster but away from the field for the time being.

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said Mariota aggravated a strained quadriceps during his 31-yard run in the first quarter of Monday's 33-27 overtime win over the Ravens, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Mariota created a big gain with his legs on his lone snap of the day, and Gruden suggested the quarterback likely would have been featured in a few more packages over the course of the game had he not suffered the injury. The Raiders aren't yet aware of the extent of Mariota's injury, but Gruden said he fears the No. 2 signal-caller could be headed for a long-term absence after the quad issue kept him sidelined for the entire preseason, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic. If Mariota isn't available for the Raiders' Week 2 game in Pittsburgh and beyond, Nathan Peterman would serve as the backup to starter Derek Carr.

Carr completed 34 of 56 passes for 435 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Monday night's 33-27 overtime win against the Ravens.

Carr attempted to force feed tight end Darren Waller early on, but the duo struggled to connect amid a couple drops as well as a smothering Baltimore secondary. However, they ultimately got on track, with Waller catching 10 of his whopping 19 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. Carr also incorporated slot man Hunter Renfrow and waited until crunch time to get second-year wideout Bryan Edwards going. The two set up a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation, then had a game-winning, 33-yard touchdown brought back to the one-yard line in overtime. Incredibly, Carr would subsequently throw an interception shortly after play resumed, but once he got the ball back from that miscue, he emphatically ended the contest with a 31-yard touchdown to Zay Jones. Monday's thrilling, back-and-forth finish enabled Carr to rack up the yardage, but he'll face another usually stingy AFC North defense as he travels to Pittsburgh in Week 2.

Hoyer reverted from the active roster back to the practice squad Monday, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Hoyer was elevated to the active roster Sunday in order to serve as the team's backup quarterback. He's likely to return to the same role for the New England in its Week 2 matchup against the Jets, and he could be signed to the active roster with Jarrett Stidham (back) sidelined through at least Week 6.

Jackson completed 19 of 30 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 12 times for 86 yards but lost two of three fumbles in Monday night's 33-27 overtime loss to the Raiders.

Jackson had an uneven performance to begin the campaign. With a few unfamiliar skill-position players around him, his timing appeared off on a number of passes and handoffs, yet he still electrified at times with his signature improvisation ability. His 10-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown came after he evaded three pass-rushers in the pocket, then Jackson made a breathtaking 28-yard run to set up a go-ahead field goal late. However, he twice coughed the ball up while facing pressure, ultimately leading to two Raiders touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Following a disappointing defeat, Jackson and company will aim to iron out a few wrinkles prior to Week 2's primetime matchup against the Chiefs.

Allen (coach's decision) will serve as the No. 2 quarterback in Thursday's Week 2 matchup against the Giants, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The 25-year-old was a healthy scratch in Sunday's season opener, but he'll step in as the primary backup behind Taylor Heinicke because Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) is expected to be ruled out for Thursday's game. Allen appeared in four games for Washington last year and completed 60 of 87 passes for 610 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

Heinicke will start Thursday's Week 2 matchup against the Giants, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Heinicke filled in for Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip) in Sunday's season opener and completed 11 of 15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Fitzpatrick will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his injury, but he's at least expected to miss the Week 2 contest because Washington will be playing on a short week. Kyle Allen is slated to serve as Heinicke's primary backup against the Giants.