NFL Player News

Stidham (hip) practiced Sunday but didn't participate in team drills, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

While Stidham reportedly deals with some hip/leg discomfort, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com suggested Sunday that "it feels like Stidham's status in the QB picture is fading the last two practices." Meanwhile, Howe notes that Newton, the favorite to be the team's No. 1 QB in Week 1, has "sustained momentum from the end of last week." That's a notion echoed by Andrew Callahan of The Springfield Republican, who believes that Newton is on "the fast track" to becoming the team's starting signal-caller.

Jackson's Saturday absence at practice was merely for rest according to assistant head coach and WR coach David Culley, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Fantasy players can breathe a sigh of relief, as it was initially unclear why Jackson was held out of practice Saturday. Despite a proclamation to limit his running in 2020, Jackson figures to still be one of the top fantasy scoring quarterbacks again, especially if the likes of Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin and Devin Duvernay develop into major pass-catching threats.

Jackson did not practice Saturday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

There's no official word as to why Jackson will miss Saturday's practice with the team choosing to simply list the designation as "undisclosed". More clarification regarding the absence will surely come in the ensuing days.

Jones showed up in camp at 229 pounds, up from last year's 220, after working out and putting on extra muscle, ESPN reports.

Jones also worked to reduce his league-leading 18 fumbles and held players-only throwing sessions this spring. He has a good deal of upside in Year 2, given his skills, weapons and ability to add points with his now more substantial legs.

NFL Network's Mike Giardi notes that Stidham has been dealing with some leg/hip discomfort and it could be several weeks before the QB is back to 100 percent, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

That said, this sounds like an issue that Stidham plans to work through, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels indicating Friday, "I'm pretty sure he'll be ready to roll the next time we practice." Stidham has been competing with Cam Newton for the Patriots' starting QB job. It's a gig that Newton is favored to land, and if Stidham's hip/leg issue persists at all, it won't help his chances of prevailing. On the plus side, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that precautionary tests Stidham took Thursday at a local hospital came back negative

Jeff Howe of The Athletic relays that from what's been told, the leg injury that Stidham suffered Friday "doesn't sound overly concerning."

With that in mind, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels believes that Stidham will be ready to practice the next time the Patriots are back on the field, which is slated to be Sunday. If that's the case, at that time Stidham will continue to vie with Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer for the Patriots' starting QB job, an assignment that Newton is favored to secure.

Stidham is dealing with a leg injury and isn't expected to do much work, if any, at Friday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Any absence will free up more first-team reps for Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer. Recent reports from Patriots camp suggest Stidham has been struggling, but it's possible his leg injury is part of the problem.

Winston operated as the Saints' No. 2 QB on Thursday as he continues to split work with Taysom Hill, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

After signing with New Orleans in the offseason, Winston was expected to battle for the backup job with the incumbent Hill, and that's how things are playing out thus far in camp. Hill is likely to see some work on offense regardless of his place in the quarterback pecking order, but Winston's fantasy value is tied to the health of Drew Brees.

Goff connected with tight ends Tyler Higee and Gerald Everett consistently during Wednesday's practice, Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

The Rams leaned on 12 personnel late in the 2019 campaign, and Goff finished the season with 1,643 passing yards and 11 touchdowns over the team's final five games, so it's encouraging to see Los Angeles continuing to utilize its athletic tight ends. Higbee's late-season breakout last year has been well documented, and Everett caught a touchdown pass from Goff during red-zone drills Wednesday. The pair could quickly prove to be reliable options for the 26-year-old quarterback again in 2020. Additionally, It's easy to forget that Goff's entering just his fourth full season as a starter, and his pricey contract often fogs over his serviceable fantasy production the past three years.

The Titans waived McDonald on Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

McDonald's spot on the roster was swiftly occupied by veteran signal-caller Trevor Siemian. The rookie seventh-round pick could draw interest from other organizations as a developmental project.