NFL Player News

Walker will start Sunday's preseason contest at Indianapolis, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

With coach Matt Rhule sitting Sam Darnold and many of the starters, Walker will lead the offense in the Panthers' exhibition opener. In four appearances, including one start in relief of Teddy Bridgewater, last season, Walker completed 32 of 56 passes (57 percent) for 368 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions. Meanwhile, 2019 third-rounder Will Grier didn't see the field at all in 2020. As this preseason wears on, any in-game reps that Darnold doesn't get will trickle down to Walker and Grier, whose respective performances will determine if the team keeps two or three QBs this fall.

Coach Frank Reich said Ehlinger likely will start the Colts' second preseason game Saturday, Aug. 21 in Minnesota, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Before then, though, Jacob Eason will be under center first during Sunday's exhibition opener versus the Panthers. After Carson Wentz underwent foot surgery earlier this month, Eason received most of the first-team reps, but the second-year pro and Ehlinger -- a 2021 sixth-rounder -- have been splitting those snaps in recent practices.

Coach Matt Rhule said Darnold won't suit up for Sunday's preseason game at Indianapolis, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Darnold will have to wait to get his first taste of in-game action until Saturday, Aug. 21 against the Ravens, at the earliest. Rhule specifically mentioned "most of the starters" will join Darnold on the sideline this weekend, which likely means Christian McCaffrey, Robby Anderson and DJ Moore will log DNPs as well.

Woodside is slated to start Friday's preseason opener against the Falcons, Jim Wyatt of the Titans official site reports.

Top QB Ryan Tannehill won't play in the contest, so Woodside -- who remains the favorite to serve as the team's No. 2 option at the position -- will get the starting nod Friday and is expected to play at least until halftime. Once he's lifted, Matt Barkley will take over and finish the game under center for the Titans.

Tannehill won't play in Friday night's preseason game against the Falcons, Jim Wyatt of the Titans official site reports.

While the Titans play it safe with Tannehill, Logan Woodside is in line to get the start at QB on Friday and is expected to play at least until halftime. Meanwhile, look for Matt Barkley to finish up the contest for Tennessee.

Prescott (shoulder) won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Cardinals, but he is traveling to Phoenix with his teammates, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

It could be taken as a small sign of progress after Prescott stayed back in Texas last week while the Cowboys traveled to Ohio for the Hall of Fame Game. He's scheduled for another MRI on Monday, but it isn't indicative of a setback, with Prescott even saying he'd be able to play this weekend if the Cowboys had a regular-season contest. The current issue with Prescott's throwing shoulder has overtaken last year's severe ankle injury as the primary concern for fantasy managers, as the 28-year-old QB is otherwise set up for success, boasting dual-threat skills in a fast-paced offense that has Amari Cooper (foot), CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup as the starting trio at wide receiver.

Heinicke completed nine of 15 passes for 86 yards in Thursday's 22-13 preseason loss to New England.

Ryan Fitzpatrick got the start and completed five of eight passes for 58 yards. Neither Fitz nor Heinicke had a touchdown or interception, though the latter did lead a 64-yard drive capped off by Peyton Barber's one-yard TD at the goal line. While coach Ron Rivera says his quarterbacks are competing for the starting job, Heinicke remains a long shot to defeat Fitzpatrick.

Rudolph completed eight of nine passes for 77 yards without a touchdown or turnover in Thursday's 24-16 preseason win over the Eagles.

Despite his accuracy, Rudolph failed to lead the Steelers to any points on the team's first three drives, even while working with the team's starting skill position players. Dwayne Haskins then led a trio of touchdown drives over the next two quarters, and he remains hot on Rudolph's heels for the backup job behind Ben Roethlisberger. Both Rudolph and Haskins should get plenty of reps in next week's preseason tilt against the Lions.

Jones completed 13 of 19 passes for 87 yards and rushed twice for no gain in Thursday's 22-13 preseason win over Washington. He had no touchdowns or turnovers.

After watching Cam Newton lead the offense to a field goal on his second drive, Jones came in and got the same result on the team's third possession, though the rookie would have had a touchdown if Kristian Wilkerson had been able to haul in a well-placed deep ball in the end zone. Jones moved the offense well throughout his time in the game, but on a Patriots team without much talent on the outside, Newton's mobility and leadership give him the inside track on the starting quarterback job. Expect Jones to see plenty of action in preseason Week 2 against the Eagles as the Patriots continue to evaluate what they have in the 15th overall pick out of Alabama.

Hurts completed three of seven passes for 54 yards and rushed once for four yards in two drives of work in Thursday's 24-16 preseason loss to the Steelers.

All three of Hurts' completions went to tight ends, as we got a preview of an Eagles offense that's likely to feature plenty of looks for both Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz. The mobile quarterback didn't use his wheels much here, but Hurts will likely utilize his rushing ability more once the games start to count. Backup Joe Flacco was significantly more effective against Pittsburgh's backups, producing a touchdown and two field goals on four drives, but Hurts remains locked in as Philadelphia's starting quarterback and should see more playing time against the Patriots in Week 2 of preseason.