NFL Player News

Jackson is expected to see minimal playing time in Thursday's preseason game against the Jaguars, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

With Thursday marking Baltimore's preseason opener, Jackson is unlikely to play more than a series or two. In the past, coach John Harbaugh has tended to give his starter some reps in the opener before turning things over to the backups. Jackson's expected minimal playing time limits his upside in daily contests Thursday.

Mahomes is slated to start Saturday night's preseason opener against the Bengals, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Per coach Andy Reid, the team's QB rotation for the contest will mimic the rotation that's been used during training camp. Mahomes will therefore be followed by Chad Henne, Kyle Shurmur and Chase Litton. It remains to be seen how much action Mahomes sees Saturday, but we suspect it won't be extensive.

Winston is adapting to throwing more checkdown passes to his running backs within coach Bruce Arians' new offense, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "Sometimes checking that ball down is the simple decision," Winston said. "It's about moving the chains. It's about a completion here and a completion there. And that's how you know the game really slows down is when you're able to do that, when it's just second nature."

Winston has a well-earned reputation as a gunslinger, a notion supported by the fact he boasts 163 completions of over 20 yards -- including 23 over 40 -- in his first 56 NFL games. However, he's also thrown 58 interceptions over that span, so a more cautious approach may be just what Winston needs to take the next step in his development. Additionally, Arians' offenses typically include a solid amount of passing-game involvement for the running backs, with David Johnson's 80 receptions in Arizona during the 2016 season the best example of such. While Winston will certainly take his share of downfield shots this season to the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman and O.J. Howard, it's clear he may find himself operating in shorter passing windows by design more often than in past years.

Dobbs will draw the starting assignment for Thursday's preseason opener against the Buccaneers, Bob Labriola of the Steelers' official site reports.

Dobbs is hoping to hold off second-year quarterback Mason Rudolph and retain the top backup job behind Ben Roethlisberger in 2019. In order to aid his efforts, Dobbs would do well to turn in a solid showing in the exhibition opener after he mostly disappointed during the 2018 campaign. Rudolph will also be given a fair share of opportunities to show what he can do against Tampa Bay, and likely in the three preseason contests to follow.

Smith will start Thursday's preseason contest against the Broncos, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

The Seahawks are holding out Russell Wilson in the exhibition opener, leaving Smith and Paxton Lynch to handle quarterback. After the game, Smith will have an injury addressed, per coach Pete Carroll. It isn't clear if Smith will require some sort of procedure, but Carroll expects the signal-caller to be ready in time for the team's second preseason game Aug. 18 in Minnesota, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. Assuming Smith reaches Week 1 with his health intact, he appears to be the leader for the backup job to Wilson.

Wilson won't suit up for Thursday's preseason game against the Broncos, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Wilson doesn't need many preseason reps to be ready for the regular campaign, but the Seahawks will be well served by getting the quarterback some game action in the post-Doug Baldwin era. In particular, the offense is breaking in three rookie wide receivers [DK Metcalf (oblique), Gary Jennings and John Ursua] while having minimal work with tight end Will Dissly, who didn't play after Week 4 last season due to a patella tendon injury. No matter how the pecking order plays out among Seattle's pass catchers, Wilson will be looking to uphold his record-setting contract extension from earlier this offseason.

Bridgewater said Wednesday that he feels healthier now than he did before sustaining a noncontact knee injury in 2016, Amie Just of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

"I can honestly say that this is the best I've ever felt in my six years," Bridgewater said, referring to his six seasons in the NFL. Bridgewater turned down a contract offer from the Dolphins earlier this offseason, opting instead to reprise his role as Drew Brees' backup, and possible eventual heir, in New Orleans.

Stidham has impressed the Patriots' brass with his performance thus far in training camp, Andrew Callahan of The Springfield Republican reports.

While Stidham is obviously no threat to supplant starter Tom Brady, the fourth-round rookie's strong showing in training camp suggests that the team has unearthed a quarterback worth grooming. With Brady unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Lions, Stidham is on track to see ample action.

McCoy (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's preseason opener against the Browns, Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post reports.

This is hardly a surprise given that McCoy was just cleared ahead of training camp following leg surgery back in April before leaving Monday's practice early due to a foot injury. McCoy's absence for the preseason opener may be precautionary more than anything, but it could harm his chances of winning the No. 1 quarterback job over Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum. The Redskins listed McCoy first on their initial unofficial depth chart of camp, but that may have been out of deference to his status as the elder statesman in Washington's quarterback room more than anything else.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday that Garoppolo won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against Dallas, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

There's no setback to report here, however, as the plan is for the QB -- who is bouncing back from a torn left ACL that he suffered last September -- to play in the 49ers' second and third preseason games. C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens, who are competing for the backup job behind Garoppolo, will thus see added reps in Saturday's contest.