NFL Player News

The Jaguars activated Beathard from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

Beathard missed less than a week of practice while progressing through the league's COVID-19 protocols. He can now resume working as Jacksonville's third quarterback behind Trevor Lawrence and Gardner Minshew.

Watson (ankle) is not practicing Friday, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Watson is not on the field for the start of Friday's walkthrough session, marking his fourth consecutive absence from practice. When Watson was on the field during the early portion of training camp, prior to his ankle injury, he was reportedly stuck working with the backups. Meanwhile, veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor has handled most of Houston's first-team reps.

Rudolph completed six of nine passes for 84 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed once for no gain during the Steelers' 16-3 preseason win over the Cowboys in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game. He also was charged with a lost fumble on a mishandled handoff in the first quarter.

The veteran backup acquitted himself well while getting a chance to play with first-team wideouts Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson. The most productive drive Rudolph was a part of was his final one, which began early in the second quarter and included a 45-yard completion to Claypool. However, it culminated in a Samuel Sloman missed field goal from 49 yards out. One-time Washington Football Team first-round pick Dwayne Haskins, battling Rudolph for the No. 2 job behind Ben Roethlisberger, also turned in a solid performance, so the competition between the two figures to extend through the balance of the team's remaining three preseason contests.

The Cowboys expect Prescott (shoulder) to be their starting quarterback Week 1 at Tampa Bay, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.

Prescott's focus this offseason was getting back to full health from the gruesome right ankle injury he suffered Week 5 last October. He progressed enough to participate fully at the start of training camp, only to strain his right shoulder in a July 28 practice. Glazer clarified the nature of the injury before Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, relaying it's more like a baseball injury because it's "kind of under the armpit." As a result, the Cowboys contacted the Texas Rangers' training staff to get additional advice on how to proceed with his recovery. During a halftime interview with Fox Sports, Prescott said the team is "being cautious" with his health and added "it's five weeks for the season opener," time that he's using "to get myself ready for that game." Taking Glazer's and Prescott's comments into account, Dallas seemingly will take all precautions in advance of Week 1, meaning a preseason appearance may not be in the cards.

Cookus was waived by Minnesota on Thursday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Minnesota brought in Cookus while the team had three quarterbacks in the league's COVID-19 protocols, but the team waived him upon getting Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley back Thursday.

Tagovailoa has shown improvement with his downfield passing through the first week of training camp, but he still looks indecisive against blitzes, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

The lack of a downfield passing game was Miami's biggest weakness last season, particularly when Tagovailoa was under center. Out of 35 qualified quarterbacks, he placed 31st in yards per completion (9.8) and 25th in average depth of target (7.8), struggling to find big plays while directing an undermanned Dolphins offense (he also finished 22nd in sack rate - 6.5 percent). Tagovailoa will have more help for his second NFL season, particularly in the downfield passing game with WRs Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle. Injuries have prevented Fuller, DeVante Parker and Preston Williams (foot) from getting steady reps with Tagovailoa this summer, while rookie first-rounder Waddle -- a former college teammate at Alabama -- largely has been available for practice.

Barkley announced Thursday that he's signed a contract with the Titans.

Barkley, who spent the last three seasons operating as the Bills' reserve signal-caller, now joins Logan Woodside behind Ryan Tannehill in the Titans' quarterback room. The 30-year-old is an experienced veteran whose presence in the locker room has previously drawn praise. He'll have a shot at winning the No. 2 gig, though Woodside arguably has the advantage as an incumbent in the role.

Watson will be held out of practice Thursday with calf and ankle tightness, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Watson wasn't doing much at camp before the injury, seemingly participating just to avoid fines. He still wants to be traded, and he's still facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct. Tyrod Taylor has been handling most of Houston's first-team QB reps, but rookie Davis Mills could also make starts if Watson eventually is traded, suspended or placed on the commissioner's exempt list.

Cousins has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list for Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

As expected, Cousins will rejoin his teammates after missing five days. He was a close contact of rookie QB Kellen Mond, who tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend and remains out of action Thursday. The third-round pick may eventually be a threat to Cousins, but the 33-year-old is safe for the time being and even has guaranteed base salaries for the final two years (2021-22) of his contract.

Stevens signed a contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Michael Elsen of the team's official site reports.

Stevens was waived by the Panthers at the start of June and will now join the Giants in training camp. The 2020-seventh round pick appeared in one game as a rookie and totaled four carries for 24 yards.