NFL Player News

Watson dressed for Wednesday's practice but merely served as Houston's No. 4 quarterback, even lining up with the defense at times, Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports.

New Texans head coach David Culley told Smith that Watson has fallen behind his teammates after missing the offseason program, but Culley also said the quarterback will now need as many reps as possible to catch up. However, Culley declined to answer when reporters asked if Watson could eventually start for the Texans this season. Watson's presence at training camp suggests it's a possibility, but between his trade request and the 22 civil lawsuits he's facing, the Texans can't assume they'll have him in the lineup Week 1. Their other quarterbacks are Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driskel and rookie third-round pick Davis Mills.

Lance agreed Wednesday with the 49ers on a four-year, $34.11 million contract, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Now that he's put pen to paper on his rookie deal, Lance may be available later Wednesday, when the 49ers hold their first practice of training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said multiple times that he views Jimmy Garoppolo as his starting quarterback heading into 2021, but Lance's status as the No. 3 overall pick means he'll likely make starts at some point this season. Meanwhile, Jets quarterback and No. 2 overall selection Zach Wilson is left as the only first-round pick who hasn't signed a contract.

Rodgers will direct the first-team offense Wednesday at the first practice of Packers training camp, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Meanwhile, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Packers are finalizing a trade for Texans slot receiver Randall Cobb, whose return to Green Bay seems to have been requested by Rodgers. Whatever the case, the 37-year-old quarterback is on board for at least one more year with the Packers, following an offseason filled with rumors of trades and retirement. He'll have a deeper wideout group at his disposal this year, with Cobb, Devin Funchess and third-round pick Amari Rodgers joining Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Minshew took the first snap of training camp Wednesday during 7-on-7 drills, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

New head coach Urban Meyer may defer to veterans on the first day of camp, but there's little doubt No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence will get the Week 1 start. Minshew profiles as one of the top backup quarterbacks in the league, potentially making him a valuable trade chip if the Jaguars want to take things in that direction. The team signed C.J. Beathard to a two-year, $5 million contract this offseason, so the backup spot will be in decent hands even if Minshew isn't around. It's possible the Jaguars proceed cautiously with Lawrence this summer, given that he had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder in mid-February.

Jackson is absent from Wednesday's practice due to a "COVID-related case the league is still trying to process," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jackson tested positive for COVID-19 last November and missed a game against the Steelers, but he returned to action the following week and proceeded to guide Baltimore to five straight wins and a playoff berth. He has apparently tested positive for the virus again, but there's been no official move to place him on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Ravens are left with Trace McSorley and Tyler Huntley as their quarterbacks for the first practice of training camp.

The NFL released a statement Tuesday saying that its "review of the serious allegations against [Watson] remains ongoing and active" and that "at this time, there are no restrictions on Watson's participation in club activities," Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

The NFL has been conducting an investigation into Watson's legal situation since March, but the league has reportedly not yet "been given access to speak to any of the civil plaintiffs or to third parties who might have relevant info." Watson has shown up at training camp, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network recently reported that the Texans are willing to listen to trade offers. Though it's clear the NFL doesn't have immediate plans to place Watson on the Commissioner's Exempt List, at least until new information is made available to the league, teams may still be hesitant to deal significant draft capital in exchange for the quarterback until such time as his legal situation is resolved.

Although the Bears have affirmed Dalton as the Week 1 starter, coach Matt Nagy dodged a question Tuesday as to whether Justin Fields can impress enough in camp to win the job , Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

As of now, there's no reason to expect the Bears to change their stance on Dalton beginning the year under center, but after Nagy's lack of immediate support for the team's current plan, there may be an element of doubt. It's possible that performances in preseason games could change who's named the Week 1 quarterback, but it's nothing more than speculation as training camp is set to open.

Coach Matt Nagy dodged the question Tuesday when asked whether Fields could impress enough in camp to be the Week 1 starter, possibly opening the door for Fields to start the year under center Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

At this point, the report is attempting to read between the lines of an answer that was not directly stated. The official stance of the Bears is that Andy Dalton is the Week 1 starter, but fantasy managers may want to remain open to the idea that Chicago could be impressed enough by its first-round pick that the team feels he's ready to face the Rams in the season opener. It's possible that performances in preseason games could impact this unofficial camp battle.

Rush (back) is present at Tuesday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rush missed two days of practice due to a back injury, but he's already gotten healthy enough to get back on the field. The 27-year-old veteran is competing with Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci for reserve work behind Dak Prescott (ankle).

Lock will get the first snap of training camp, but Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Teddy Bridgewater will get just as much work with the starters, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

While the split won't be even each day, Fangio said he's aiming for 50/50 overall, making it a truly equal competition. Bridgewater has more NFL experience and a better track record as a starter, while Lock has the advantage of scheme familiarity with holdover OC Pat Shurmur, in addition to superior arm strength and mobility. Bridgewater does also have some level of familiarity with Shurmur, whose time with the Vikings coincided with the quarterback's severe knee injury and subsequent rehab. The QB spot now looms as Denver's biggest issue at the start of training camp, with the roster otherwise appearing playoff caliber.