NFL Player News

Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Murray will play in Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

With the preseason schedule down to three games, it's possible more teams will play starters in their respective openers. In any case, Murray likely will play only a series or two Friday night.

The Texans have yet to clarify whether Watson will travel with the team to Green Bay ahead of its preseason opener Saturday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Watson, who recently missed practice time while receiving treatment on his ankle and calf, returned to the field Monday and participated in some individual drills. The report adds that the quarterback headed to the locker room once 11-on-11 work began, but he later returned to the field and observed the session, minus his pads. Though Watson is back at practice, his desire to be traded and his pending legal situation have led to continued uncertainty with regard to how things will play out between the signal-caller and the Texans.

Jackson, who has resumed practicing with his teammates after spending time on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the second time in the last eight months, noted Monday that he's taking things "day by day right now," Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

At this time, the Ravens' star QB hasn't yet decided if he'll get vaccinated following his latest COVID issue, noting, "I just got off the COVID list. I got to talk to my team about this and see how they feel about it. Keep learning as much as I can about it. We'll go from there." In the meantime, the signal-caller will look to get back up to speed after missing practice time, and in that context it's unclear when he'll make his first preseason appearance. Baltimore's first exhibition game is Saturday against the Saints.

Watson (ankle) is in uniform for Monday's practice, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.

Watson was a limited participant at the beginning of training camp -- he reportedly was held out of most team drills -- and then missed practice entirely last week while nursing a minor foot/ankle injury. He's now back on the field, but the combination of his trade request and legal situation likely will impact his practice involvement even if the ankle is no longer an issue. Tyrod Taylor has worked as the first-team quarterback throughout camp.

Even though Ehlinger continues to make a strong impression, he isn't set to get any starting reps at this point in training camp, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports. "Fair question, because (Ehlinger's) looked good," said coach Frank Reich. "But, right now, our plan is to put Jacob [Eason] in the driver's seat."

Ehlinger has drawn raves from coaches and reporters with his poise and consistency in running the second-team offense in training camp, while Eason has been inconsistent and often is seen struggling with the first-teamers. Eason is seen as having a stronger arm, but Ehlinger has more mobility and can extend plays with his running ability. With Carson Wentz out 5-12 weeks after foot surgery, it's not out of the question that Ehlinger could get a chance to play if Eason struggles and the team doesn't add a veteran quarterback. Indy's preseason games are certainly worth monitoring as both Eason and Ehlinger should get meaningful playing time, and their performance could impact the quarterback competition.

Cookus is signing with the Raiders, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Cookus won't have to wait long for another opportunity after being waived by the Vikings on Thursday. He will compete with Nathan Peterman for the third-string quarterback spot behind Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota.

Wilson struggled in the Jets' first practice at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, throwing two interceptions without a touchdown, Steve Serby of the New York Post reports.

While Wilson failed to lead the offense into the end zone and was nearly picked off a third time, backups Mike White and James Morgan combined to throw three touchdowns. Reports about Wilson's play have been positive up to this point, so chalk this effort up to some rookie nerves as the second overall pick finally met Gang Green Nation. Wilson remains the favorite to open the season as New York's starter under center.

After struggling some at practice this past Tuesday, Jones bounced back in the Patriots' subsequent two sessions, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

In the process, Jones' workload increased, while Reiss observed that during the team's two recent full-pads practices that "it sometimes looks like the team is running separate attacks. The threat of (Cam) Newton as a ballcarrier with the read-option is prevalent -- and effective at times -- while Jones often looks like he's running the more traditional Patriots passing offense." Thus far, coach Bill Belichick has maintained that he views Newton as New England's current starter, though this is a situation that remains worth monitoring in the coming weeks, given that Jones still has some time to gain ground on his veteran counterpart in advance of the team's regular-season opener.

Prescott (right shoulder) has been able to do some "light throwing" for the first time since exiting practice July 28, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Prescott is dealing with a latissimus strain in his throwing shoulder, with the Cowboys understandably proceeding cautiously with their star QB. Though it's unclear exactly what his "light throwing" has entailed, coach Mike McCarthy did note that Prescott is improving, and on the plus side the report adds that the signal-caller has been taking part in footwork drills as well as conditioning work, while experiencing no issues with his surgically-repaired ankle. With no clear timetable for a return to practice, however, it's starting to look like we won't see Prescott take an exhibition game snap any sooner than Dallas' Aug. 21 tilt versus the Texans.

Coach Sean McVay recently indicated on Fox Sports Radio that Stafford will not play in the preseason. "There is zero chance you will ever see Matthew Stafford take a snap in the preseason for the Rams as long as I'm the coach," McVay said. "That will never happen."

McVay won't be taking any risks with his starting quarterback before the regular season. With No. 2 QB John Wolford week-to-week after recently undergoing an appendectomy, it seems as if second-year signal caller Bryce Perkins -- who used his 4.55 speed to rush for over 750 yards with at least nine rushing scores in each of his final two years at Virginia -- could handle a large amount of snaps when the Rams open the exhibition slate Aug. 14 against the Chargers. The team's only other quarterback under contract is third-year Samford product Devlin Hodges, who seems less likely to make the Rams' final roster than Perkins.