NFL Player News

Head coach Adam Gase said Monday that Darnold won't be benched following the Jets' 0-3 start to the season, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. "He just needs to keep playing," Gase said of the quarterback. "He needs to keep playing and keep fixing the mistakes that are made and really emphasize the things he's doing really well, and just keep building on those."

Darnold has had a rough start to his third NFL season, with his 29.0 QBR placing him ahead of only Washington's Dwayne Haskins (28.4) among qualified quarterbacks. He had an especially rough showing in the Jets' 36-7 loss to Colts on Sunday, when he threw three interceptions and had two of them returned for touchdowns. A lack of healthy, experienced pass catchers and poor offensive line play undoubtedly contributed to Darnold's struggles, so the Jets will give the 23-year-old some more time to try and right the ship and make the case that he's the franchise's long-term answer under center. Darnold at least draws his most favorable matchup of the season to date Thursday, with the Jets hosting a winless Broncos squad that will turn to backup options Jeff Driskel or Brett Rypien for a start while top quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) misses a second straight game.

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said Tuesday that Lock (shoulder) may be ready to play in Denver's Week 5 game Oct. 11 at New England, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Denver is facing a quick turnaround Week 4 with a Thursday night game against the Jets, so Lock will be sidelined for a second straight game with the strained right rotator cuff/labral injury he sustained in the Week 2 loss at Pittsburgh. The Broncos' decision not to place Lock on injured reserve had already implied the signal-caller had some hope of avoiding a three-game absence, but he'll still need to ramp up his practice activity next week to have a realistic chance at suiting up against New England. Fangio admitted that the Broncos have more hope that Lock will be ready to go for the Week 6 game against the Dolphins, so the 23-year-old is probably best viewed as doubtful for the Patriots game at this stage.

Jackson completed 15 of 28 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 34-20 loss to the Chiefs. He also rushed nine times for 83 yards, but lost one of his two fumbles.

Jackson and the Ravens' high-flying offense was grounded in uncharacteristic fashion in Monday's much-anticipated tussle. Whereas opposing quarterback Patrick Mahomes totaled over 400 yards and five touchdowns, Jackson failed to even top 100 passing yards. Along with that career low, Jackson also needed until the fourth quarter to score Baltimore's first offensive touchdown, a five-yard pass to tight end Nick Boyle. If there was any silver lining, Jackson at least had a big game running the ball, setting a new season high while topping 75 rushing yards for the 13th time of his career. Nonetheless, after falling flat in Monday's matchup, Jackson will undoubtedly be eager to return to his MVP best in Week 4 versus Washington.

Mahomes completed 31 of 42 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns in Monday night's 34-20 win over the Ravens. He also rushed four times for 26 yards and another score.

Mahomes brought out his bag of tricks, finding the end zone in a variety of ways. The quarterback started by scampering in from three yards on the ground, then threw an underhand shovel pass to fullback Anthony Sherman for his second score. For his next act, Mahomes connected with speedy wideouts Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman on superb touchdown tosses prior to halftime, showing his signature arm strength and touch. To cap things off, the reigning Super Bowl MVP found his starting left tackle, Eric Fisher, of all people, for a two-yard exclamation point on the evening. Through three games, Mahomes now sports nine passing touchdowns versus zero interceptions, which along with Monday's win puts him in great standing ahead of another AFC showdown versus the Patriots in Week 4.

Coach Kyle Shanahan is "still not sure" if Garoppolo (ankle) will be able to practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Garoppolo sat out Week 3 due to a high right ankle sprain, but Shanahan noted the quarterback looks "a lot better" this week than he did at the same point last week. Still, considering the injury, Garoppolo may be hard-pressed to gain clearance from the team's medical staff for Sunday's game against the Eagles. In the event he's unable to suit up, the 49ers again will turn to Nick Mullens to serve as their starting signal-caller.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Monday that he's "not in a position" to rule Taylor (chest) out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Taylor is recovering from both a punctured lung sustained Week 2 and cracked ribs suffered during the season opener, and Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reported that he's considered unlikely to face the Buccaneers. Lynn has stated on multiple occasions that Taylor will reclaim the starting job when fully healthy, so his chances of returning Week 4 can't be ruled out, but it looks as though Justin Herbert at least is trending toward receiving another chance to showcase his talents under center.

Coach Vic Fangio relayed Monday that he hasn't decided whether Rypien or Jeff Driskel will start against the Jets on Thursday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

With Drew Lock (shoulder) out, Driskel started this past Sunday's loss against the Buccaneers, but he was replaced by Rypien after recording just 5.9 yards per attempt, a touchdown and an interception. Rypien was more accurate and just as efficient, completing eight of nine passes for 53 yards (5.9 YPA) and an interception in his first NFL action. The two may compete during the practice week, and Fangio was clear that Blake Bortles isn't in the starting conversation at this time.

Vic Fangio said Monday that he has yet to decide whether Driskel or Brett Rypien will start in New York on Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Driskel was benched during the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, and he only had 176 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving the field. Brett Rypien wasn't much more effective in relief of Driskel, as his only drive ended in a red-zone interception. Whomever of Driskel or Rypien gets the nod Thursday will get the benefit of a more favorable matchup against the Jets secondary, and Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports that Blake Bortles isn't in consideration to start.

Trubisky will transition to a backup role Week 4 while Nick Foles handles the starting gig, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Trubisky was benched during Sunday's game against the Falcons after an erratic first half, in which he completed 13 of 21 passes for 128 yards and a score (while also adding one rush for 45 yards). Nick Foles was efficient upon taking the field, and he led the Bears to a comeback win while tossing three touchdowns and a single interception, so it doesn't come as much of a shock to see Trubisky officially lose his job. It remains to be seen whether the 2017 No. 2 overall pick, who is scheduled to become a free agent in 2021, will get another chance to prove himself under center in Chicago.

Rodgers completed 21 of 32 pass attempts for 283 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 37-30 win over the Saints.

Rodgers was in vintage form under the bright lights, picking apart a Saints defense that is no slouch against opposing quarterbacks. The 36-year-old has thrown nine touchdowns while committing no turnovers through the first three games of the season. His 8.4 yards per attempt is the highest it has been since his 2014 MVP campaign. Injuries and Father Time seemed to have Rodgers on a gradual decline over the past few seasons, but the future Hall of Famer looks healthy and comfortable in his second season under Matt LaFleur. Consider Rodgers a premium fantasy option heading into a favorable Week 4 matchup against Atlanta next Monday, especially if Davante Adams (hamstring) is able to return to action.