NFL Player News

Dalton and the Bengals' first-team offense ran only 11 plays on three series in Thursday's preseason game against the Redskins, committing six penalties in the process, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports. "This week wasn't quite good enough. We've got a lot to improve on," coach Zac Taylor said. "That first drive, I don't know how to feel about it. Very disjointed. Too many penalties."

Dalton completed five of nine passes for 35 yards and threw a pick-six on a tipped ball that was returned 96 yards - had it not been tipped, it would have likely resulted in a touchdown pass to Trayveon Williams.

Smith (knee) is practicing Friday and could play in Sunday's preseason game against the Vikings, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Smith had a cyst in his knee removed last week and is back on the practice field after missing the last seven days. If Smith does end up being active for Sunday's exhibition, second-year quarterback J.T. Barrett likely will not get the opportunity to play.

Boyle completed 12 of 21 passes for 107 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Ravens. He threw a touchdown pass but also lost a fumble.

Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers was expected to make his preseason debut Thursday, but he ultimately did not play because of a back injury, which afforded DeShone Kizer a start for the second week in a row. Kizer played just two series, and then Boyle got a chance to play into the fourth quarter. Boyle did lead the Packers on their only touchdown drive of the game, but it came in the second half against the players at the bottom of the Ravens' roster, so it's tough to take too much away from that. Boyle remains behind Kizer on the depth chart heading into preseason game No. 3, but he's still seemingly alive in the competition to open the season with the backup job behind Rodgers.

Minshew completed 19 of 29 passes for 202 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions and rushed twice for two yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Eagles.

Minshew managed only 46 passing yards in the preseason opener last week, but he looked significantly better Thursday as he played well into the third quarter. The rookie sixth-round pick is still looking to lead his first touchdown drive, but it was undoubtedly a step in the right direction as he again played with mostly second- and third-string players. According to Hays Carlyon of 1010 AM WJXL, coach Doug Marrone is increasingly encouraged by the rookie, who remains the clear favorite for the backup job at QB behind Nick Foles. "[Minshew] did a lot for me where I feel that he's done a good job," Marrone said.

Keenum completed three of seven passes for 52 yards in the team's second game of the preseason against the Bengals on Thursday.

Keenum played three offensive series, leading the first-team offense. He was largely ineffective, though did show some rapport with veteran tight end Vernon Davis, connecting with him on 17 and 26-yard passes. While Keenum is expected to be the starter in Week 1 against the Eagles, he hasn't looked very strong early on with his new team, completing seven of 16 pass attempts for 112 yards and a touchdown through two preseason games. Both rookie Dwayne Haskins and Colt McCoy (foot/leg) could push Keenum to be the leader of the offense if he doesn't pick up his performance quickly.

Murray completed three of eight passes for 12 yards and added a four-yard run during Thursday's 33-26 loss to Oakland

Murray was humming in the preseason opener against the Chargers, but the Raiders knocked him off his mark Thursday. He sailed a handful of passes and was made uncomfortable by Oakland's rush on multiple occasions, including a nine-yard sack that resulted in a safety. The preseason is bound to get tougher on rookies as it progresses, with teams keeping starters in for longer periods and getting a little less vanilla with play calls. Murray got popped Thursday, and it'll be interesting to see how he responds next week against Minnesota.

Carr completed both of his attempts for 40 total yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 33-26 win over Arizona.

Carr enjoyed testing his chemistry with his new targets on Thursday. First, he took a quick drop and lofted a 27-yard dime to a leaping Tyrell Williams. He followed up two plays later with a quick strike to the flat to Ryan Grant, who raced into the end zone for a 13-yard score. Carr had an up-and-down first season in Jon Gruden's attack, setting career highs in completion percentage and yards while setting a career low in touchdown percentage. Carr looks like he could be taking a step up in 2019 and fans haven't even seen him throw it to his top new target, Antonio Brown, in a game situation yet.

Jackson completed 6 of 10 passes for 58 yards and rushed twice for 14 yards in Thursday night's 26-13 preseason win over the Packers.

Jackson also had an exciting touchdown scamper, but that run was unfortunately negated due to an offensive penalty. With a mix of flash and misfires, Jackson still led the Ravens to field goals on both his drives. He'll aim to use next week's game against the Eagles to get fully prepared for the regular season.

Darnold played the first three drives of Thursday's 22-10 win over the Falcons in Week 2 of the Jets' preseason slate, completing five of seven passes for 46 yards and adding a three-yard run on his only carry.

Darnold led the offense to a one-yard Ty Montgomery rushing touchdown on the opening drive, then failed to get much going in the rest of his action. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft looks comfortable running the offense and showed nice chemistry with wide receivers Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson in this one, so Darnold continues to give Jets fans reasons for optimism heading into his second NFL season.

Rodgers will be held out of Thursday's preseason game at Baltimore due to back tightness, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports. The move is deemed "precautionary."

Prior to this contest, coach Matt LaFleur indicated that Rodgers and most of the starters were in line to play "a quarter or so," but a minor issue will keep the quarterback sidelined for a second straight exhibition. In Rodgers' stead, DeShone Kizer should get the start, with Tim Boyle and Manny Wilkins splitting the remaining QB reps.