NFL Player News

Hurts and the Eagles' starting offense will play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

While he has an improved supporting cast around him, Hurts also is learning a new system, so taking a test drive with the first-teamers in Philly's exhibition opener is no surprise. Coach Nick Sirianni wouldn't divulge exactly how long he'll allow the starters to remain on the field, but in any case, Hurts will be without 10th overall pick and college teammate DeVonta Smith for most of the preseason slate as Smith recovers from an MCL sprain, leaving Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward and Travis Fulgham as the team's primary wide receivers for the time being.

Coach Vic Fangio said Drew Lock will start the Broncos' preseason opener Saturday in Minnesota, while Bridgewater will get the nod in the team's next exhibition Aug. 21 at Seattle, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

As expected, Fangio is sticking to his word that Lock and Bridgewater will split first-team reps, as they've done since the beginning of training camp. Along the way, neither of the quarterbacks have separated from the other, meaning there's a decent chance Fangio may need preseason Week 3 to make the final call.

Lock will start Saturday's preseason game at Minnesota, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

He took the initial snap of training camp with the first-team offense, and Lock will do the same as the Broncos open their exhibition slate. In the next breath, though, coach Vic Fangio relayed Teddy Bridgewater, Lock's competition for the starting QB role in Denver, will be under center with the starters in preseason Week 2 against Seattle. Clearly, Fangio is sticking to his word that Lock and Bridgewater will split the first-team reps from the beginning of camp until a decision is made on who will be under center Week 1.

Rudolph will start Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Per the report, the plan is for Ben Roethlisberger to sit this one out, while Dwayne Haskins is slated to enter the contest late in the first half, with Joshua Dobbs in line to finish the game. In this past Thursday's Hall of Fame game, a 16-3 win over the Cowboys, Rudolph completed six of nine passes for 84 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Ehlinger is in line to continue to share first-team QB reps with Jacob Eason, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.

With regard to the decision to split the team's top signal-caller reps, coach Frank Reich noted Tuesday that "it wasn't (Eason) doing anything wrong. This is a meritocracy and (Ehlinger) has looked good so we decided to split it up. The good news is they both looked sharp today. We'll continue to split those reps." Though it appears as though the two QBs will have an opportunity compete going forward, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin relays that Eason is still expected to start Sunday's preseason opener against the Panthers and see first-team work in that contest. In any case, this is a situation worth monitoring, given that No. 1 QB Carson Wentz (foot) is expected to miss time early on this season.

The Giants cut Stevens on Tuesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Stevens linked with the Giants on August 4, but now that Rysen John has been cleared to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team needed to free up a roster spot. The second-year tight end will search for a depth role elsewhere.

Ehlinger worked with the starters to close out Tuesday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ehlinger hadn't handled any first-team reps until Tuesday, when he was given the opportunity to split starting work with Jacob Eason. Coach Frank Reich praised the rookie sixth-round pick's consistency while running the second-team offense earlier in camp, and with Carson Wentz set to miss the beginning of the season after undergoing foot surgery, the Week 1 starting gig looks to be a legitimate competition. The Colts could opt to give both Ehlinger and Eason substantial opportunities during Sunday's preseason matchup against the Panthers.

Fields has shown great accuracy while also showing effectiveness throwing from multiple arm angles, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.

Although Fields is still working with the second-team offense, he's impressed the team by showing the ability to get the ball out quickly while also displaying excellent arm strength. With Andy Dalton also having a good camp, Fields hasn't been getting first-team practice reps, but he's progressing well, which could help him force his way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later. It's clear that fantasy managers expect Fields to be the starter for most of the season, as he's being drafted as roughly the 15th quarterback off the board while Dalton is going undrafted in many leagues.

The Vikings activated Mond (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Mond can now join teammates on the practice field. The rookie third-round pick had been away from the team since July 31 after returning a positive test for COVID-19, resulting in his missing out on valuable training camp reps. If he can catch up quickly, Mond could have a chance to see some action during Saturday's preseason contest against the Broncos.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Rodgers "will 'most likely not' play during the preseason," according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official website.

Rodgers missed some offseason work amid a dispute with management, but he has taken part in every practice session since training camp began, and the Packers don't see a need to expose Rodgers -- who will be entering his 17th season -- to a potential injury. With Rodgers unlikely to play before Week 1, backup quarterback Jordan Love will get as many reps as he can handle during the exhibition season, and third-stringer Kurt Benkert will presumably get the rest. Barring something unforeseen, expect Rodgers to be under center for the Packers when they kick off the regular season against the Saints on Sept. 12.