NFL Player News

Mayfield completed five of six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 30-10 win over Washington, resulting in a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3.

The Browns only put Mayfield out for one drive, but got him his work in quickly with six attempts on a seven-play touchdown drive. The sophomore passer couldn't connect on his first attempt, but quickly got in rhythm -- culminating in a 24-yard scoring shot up the seam to Rashard Higgins. Mayfield looked to be in midseason form and didn't even have top targets Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham on the field.

Darnold played one series in Thursday's preseason opener against the Giants, completing four of five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Darnold's first throw was nearly intercepted, but he was perfect thereafter, converting a pair of third downs and capping the drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to offseason acquisition Jamison Crowder. The second-year quarterback has reportedly increased his arm strength by working on his hips during the offseason, but it remains to be seen how much of an effect that has on his performance. This was a promising start, though.

Allen completed six of 11 attempts for 66 yards and rushed once for eight yards in the Bills' 24-16 preseason win over the Colts on Thursday.

Allen started and helmed the Bills' first two drives, with the second culminating in a Steven Hauschka missed 34-yard field-goal attempt. There are naturally high expectations for the second-year gunslinger after he demonstrated plenty of progress as a passer over the final five games of 2018 and also posted four performances of 95 or more rushing yards during that stretch. Allen saw a solid workload for an opening preseason game, and he'll potentially be in for even more volume in next Friday's exhibition contest against the Panthers.

Brissett completed two of five attempts for 21 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Colts' 24-16 preseason loss to the Bills on Thursday.

Brissett played the first three drives for the Colts to open the contest, but the offense netted all of 22 yards with him under center. The 2016 third-round pick offers head coach Frank Reich the rare combination of a young yet experienced backup, with Brissett having started all 16 games in 2017 while Andrew Luck tended to a shoulder injury. Brissett is once again logging heavy reps in Luck's stead, albeit in training camp practices at this point, as the latter deals with a calf injury. The 26-year-old Brissett should see more playing time in next week's second exhibition against the Browns.

Savage completed two of three passes for 40 yards and rushed once for 15 yards during Detroit's preseason opener against the Patriots.

Savage looked sharp and logged roughly 10 snaps before ceding quarterback duties to David Fales, who proceeded to complete under 40 percent of his passes and wasn't impressive in any sense of the word. However, Savage did take a pair of sacks and possibly left the game due to one of them causing a potential concussion, per Chris Burke of the Athletic. If this turns out to be more of a health scare than anything, Savage shouldn't have a problem holding on to the No. 2 gig behind Matthew Stafford throughout the remainder of the preseason. If not, it's likely that Detroit will need to find some outside help to solidify the backup quarterback job.

Sudfeld left Thursday's preseason game against the Titans with an apparent left wrist injury, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

Sudfeld landing awkwardly late in the first half and immediately grabbed at the wrist. After an examination in the sideline tent, he emerged with an air cast on his left arm and was carted to the locker room. Clayton Thorson and Cody Kessler round out the depth chart at quarterback behind Carson Wentz.

Keenum will start Thursday's preseason game in Cleveland, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

With Colt McCoy (foot) sidelined, Keenum, rookie Dwayne Haskins and Josh Woodrum will be the quarterbacks at coach Jay Gruden's disposal. Keenum is listed as the No. 2 QB on the current depth chart, but performance over the next month ultimately will determine the breakdown for the regular season.

Darnold will start Thursday's preseason game versus the Giants, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

Darnold likely won't play more than a series or two, but he'll at least get his feet wet in a game for the first time since the 2018 season finale. The Jets are holding out both Le'Veon Bell and holdover Bilal Powell, so we'll have to wait another week to see Darnold with his new-look backfield.

Mariota "won't play much" in Thursday's preseason opener against the Eagles, "if he plays at all," Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

In last season's preseason opener, Mariota played just one series and he's not likely to see extended duty this time around as well. Per the report, third-stringer Logan Woodside figures to see plenty of action Thursday night.

If Mayfield and other key starters such as Odell Beckham Jr. take the field in Thursday's preseason opener against Washington, "it won't be for long," Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

With Mayfield having solidified the Browns' QB position for the first time in years, the team has no incentive to expose him to a ton of preseason contact. With his reps likely to be curbed Thursday, added opportunities will be there for depth options Garrett Gilbert and David Blough.