NFL Player News

Garoppolo (knee) is doing individual drills and 7-on-7 work at mandatory minicamp, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Garoppolo has been throwing on a field since January and participating in 7-on-7 sessions throughout the offseason program. He's on track to participate in full-team practices at the start of training camp, but his mobility may be limited for the foreseeable future while he plays with a large brace over his surgically repaired knee. The typical outcome for quarterbacks returning from ACL tears is that they're able to play the next season but aren't quite at their best. Then again, Deshaun Watson ran for 551 yards and five touchdowns on 99 carries last season, also completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 8.2 yards per attempt with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Watson suffered his ACL tear in early November of 2017, while Garoppolo's happened in late September of 2018.

McCoy (lower leg) practiced on the rehab field during Thursday's minicamp session, Craig Hoffman of 106.7 The Fan reports.

McCoy was expected to participate in minicamp to some extent and is still expected to be ready to go when training camp begins in late July, barring any major setbacks. The 32-year-old appears to be progressing well in his recovery from his third surgery on a fractured right fibula. Even when fully healthy, McCoy will likely be limited to a backup role behind Case Keenum and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins.

Dalton (thumb) participated in OTAs throughout May, CBS WKRC Cincinnati reports.

Dalton had season-ending surgery in late November to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He resumed throwing in February and now appears headed for full participation during training camp. Dalton was on track for one of his better seasons in 2018 before A.J. Green (toe) was injured, winning five of his first eight games while averaging 262.8 passing yards and 2.1 touchdowns per week. Green is far behind Dalton in the rehab process but should be available at some point this summer.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Jackson won't be running "20 times a game" this coming season, ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reports.

Jackson averaged 22.6 pass attempts and 17 carries in his starts last season, winning six of seven games with the help of a strong defense. Bisciotti said the massive rushing workload was a product of the team doing whatever it took to reach the playoffs after starting the year 4-5. With a full offseason to craft a scheme under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Ravens will aim for a more balanced approach in 2019, perhaps looking to keep Jackson closer to 10-12 carries per game. For a point of reference, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has landed between 6.0 and 8.7 carries per game in each of his eight NFL seasons, maxing out in 2017 at 139 carries for 754 yards and six TDs (a line similar to Jackson's from last year). Jackson is on a different level than Newton in terms of both speed and elusiveness, but the 22-year-old is also about 30 pounds lighter. The Ravens are counting on Jackson to develop as a passer, potentially getting a boost from first-round pick Marquise Brown (foot) and third-round pick Miles Boykin (hamstring). The team also returns Willie Snead, Chris Moore and second-year tight ends Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst, while free-agent addition Mark Ingram provides an upgrade in the backfield.

Garoppolo (knee) is doing 7-on-7 work at OTAs, putting him on pace for a return to 11-on-11s at the start of training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Garoppolo plans to wear a brace over his surgically repaired left knee in 2019. He may not regain his usual mobility until late in the season or even the following year, but everything seems to be on track for Week 1, at which point he'll be 11.5 months removed from tearing his ACL. The 27-year-old quarterback is in his second full offseason under coach Kyle Shanahan, leading an offense that added running back Tevin Coleman and wide receivers Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd (knee) and Jordan Matthews.

Heinicke was the first quarterback to take reps in team drills Wednesday, Bryan Strickland of the Panthers' official site reports.

Heinicke served as Cam Newton's (shoulder) backup most of last season, but it was actually Kyle Allen -- who started Week 17 when both Heinicke and Newton were out with injuries -- who received the first reps Tuesday during the opening day of OTAs. With third-round rookie Will Grier also in the mix, the competition for the No. 2 job in Carolina could be a fluid situation all offseason.

Keenum took the first snap Monday during team drills, Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post reports.

Keenum was followed by first-round pick Dwayne Haskins, while Colt McCoy (leg) remains sidelined but is expected to be ready for the beginning of training camp. JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington observed a noticeable difference between Keenum and Haskins during Monday's practice, with the rookie holding a large edge in terms of both size and arm strength, while the veteran has a quicker release and better mobility. Both quarterbacks are learning new play-calling terminology from coach Jay Gruden, who has been clear about his intention to stage a three-way QB competition. Regardless, Finlay believes Haskins' ascension to the starting job "is a matter of when, not if."

Jones will get the bulk of the backup reps behind Eli Manning during OTAs, Ryan Dunleavy of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The Giants are positioning Jones to get as many reps as possible while still having Manning run with the starters. Jones, the No. 6 overall pick, figures to be the backup quarterback as a rookie while being groomed as the starter of the future once Manning's Giants tenure concludes.

Smith agreed to a contract Wednesday with the Seahawks, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Smith has spent time with the Jets, Giants and Chargers since being drafted in the second round back in 2013, but he hasn't been pressed into meaningful extended action since his failed stint as the Jets' starter in 2014. The 28-year-old comes to Seattle as high-profile candidate for the backup job to Russell Wilson, with Paxton Lynch looming as Smith's top competition for the gig.

McCoy (lower leg) is expected to participate in June minicamp to some extent and should be fully ready in late July when training camp begins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McCoy is back with the team for OTAs and seems to be recovering well from his third surgery on a fractured right fibula. He was originally expected to miss all offseason work until training camp, but the timetable apparently has been moved up. Once healthy, McCoy will compete for the starting job with Case Keenum and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins. While experience in coach Jay Gruden's offense may help his cause, McCoy hasn't shown any real sign of being anything more than a competent game manager.