NFL Player News

Jones completed nine of 11 passes for 141 yards in Thursday's 25-23 preseason win over Cincinnati. He also fumbled, but it was recovered by a teammate.

After Eli Manning played the opening drive, Jones was under center for the rest of the first half, looking solid in the process. The rookie first-rounder out of Duke has completed 25 of 30 passes this preseason, so the Giants should have no qualms about handing Jones the backup job to start the season.

Rodgers won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Rodgers is one of 33 Green Bay players not playing Thursday, a list that also includes Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and Jimmy Graham. Rodgers' next chance to suit up will likely arrive in Week 1 of the regular season.

Rodgers (back) is suited up for Thursday's preseason matchup with the Raiders, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Just because Rodgers is suited up does not necessarily mean he will play, particularly with concerns about the field conditions in Winnipeg, but he will at least have a chance to see his first action of the preseason. The Packers figure to reveal whether or not Rodgers will ultimately take the field before kickoff, which is schedule for 8:00 ET.

Jackson doesn't appear to be in line to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic

Per the report, the only two Baltimore quarterbacks out on the field for final warmups prior to the contest were Trace McSorley and Joe Callahan, which sets the stage for Jackson's next game action to occur in Week 1.

Garoppolo likely will play the entire first half, and possibly a bit longer, in Saturday's preseason game against the Chiefs, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.comreports.

The 49ers apparently have determined Garoppolo needs extra reps more than he needs to be protected from the added injury risk that comes with playing in a game. The decision may have been influenced by an ugly performance Monday in Denver, when his six pass attempts included an interception, a dropped interception and two batted passes. There also have been some worrisome reports from training camp, including one day last week when Garoppolo threw interceptions on five consecutive passes at practice. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area suggests Garoppolo may still be working through a mental barrier as he returns from last year's ACL tear. The concern will die down in a hurry if the 27-year-old quarterback looks good Saturday against the Chiefs.

Coach Frank Reich hasn't revealed whether Brissett will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Bears, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Reich did acknowledge that "you won't see a lot of the 1s." Given that Andrew Luck's Week 1 status is unclear, as he battles back from calf/ankle woes, it's possible that the Colts will play it safe with Brissett on Saturday, considering the possibility that he may have to fill in for Luck early on in the regular season.

Mayfield said he would like to play a full half in Friday's preseason game against Tampa Bay, Nick Shook of the Browns' official site reports.

Cleveland head coach Freddie Kitchens has sent mixed signals regarding starter usage for preseason Week 3, which has traditionally been a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Earlier this week, the coach said he doesn't subscribe to the theory that starters should play the majority of Week 3, but went in the opposite direction Wednesday. "It is not a secret. We are going to play our guys some," Kitchens said. "I do not know how long yet. I like to get our work done right now in a controlled environment to see how much better we can get on a day-in and day-out basis. This week is a little different because you are definitely not going to do it next week. We will see." At a minimum, we should get a first preseason look at Mayfield on Friday.

Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Smith (knee) will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Smith had a cyst in his knee removed last week that had forced him to miss time. Now that he's healthy and fellow backup Paxton Lynch is dealing with a head injury, it will be Smith and J.T. Barrett given the reigns for snaps behind Russell Wilson on Saturday.

Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Lynch (head) won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Lynch is still feeling the effects of an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit dished out by Vikings cornerback Holton Hill on Sunday. With the former first-round pick battling Geno Smith for the backup job, the injury is certainly serious enough to hold him out. Smith will shoulder backup work behind Russell Wilson for Saturday's game with Lynch sidelined.

Coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday that Rypien is competing for the backup quarterback job, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Rypien's opportunity comes with rookie second-round pick Drew Lock (thumb) expected to miss the start of the regular season. Lock is guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster and appears destined for the backup gig at some point, but Rypien could earn the No. 2 role to begin the regular season if he's able to beat out Kevin Hogan.