NFL Player News

Barkley completed 10 of 17 pass attempts for 168 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in Friday's preseason win over the Chiefs.

The 26-year-old was solid in his first action under center in San Francisco, showing accuracy and poise in he pocket against Kansas City's second-string defense. The only knock on his performance was an inability to finish two redzone drives that ended in field goal attempts. Brian Hoyer has already been announced as the 49ers' starting quarterback, so Barkley will have to fend off rookie C.J. Beathard in a battle for backup duties.

Hoyer started the 49ers' first two drives Friday, completing just 1 of 4 passes for three yards in a preseason win over the Chiefs.

It was an uneventful debut in red and gold for the journeyman quarterback, as San Francisco's first-string offense struggled to move the ball against an imposing Kansas City defense. That said, Hoyer's performance this preseason will have little impact on his Week 1 status as the 49ers' starting quarterback.

Winston completed nine of 13 passes for 99 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Friday's 23-12 preseason loss to the Bengals.

As planned, Winston and the rest of the starters saw limited action, but the third-year signal caller put the ball in the air plenty. He helmed an impressive opening 92-yard drive, connecting with top target Mike Evans for 29 yards down the right sideline on one play and also showing impressive rapport with TE Cameron Brate. Winston was in for only one additional series, an eight-play drive in which he managed to officially connect with prize free-agent acquisition DeSean Jackson for the first time. Overall, it would have been difficult to author a better start for Winston and the first-team offense, and they'll look to build on the performance in next Thursday's exhibition tilt versus the Jaguars.

Johnson completed 5-of-10 passes for 31 yards while adding eight yards on two rushes in Friday's preseason opener against the Steelers.

Johnson got the start with veteran Eli Manning sitting for this tuneup, but struggled in his four drives of action. He took three costly sacks, including a six-yard loss from Pittsburgh's 3-yard line. Geno Smith didn't do much with his opportunity, either, also failing to produce a touchdown while adding one interception. Johnson entered with a slight edge over the former Jet in the competition for the backup job, and this game likely didn't change that status quo with both failing to impress.

Dobbs completed 8-of-15 passes for 100 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in Friday's preseason opener against the Giants. He also added a 16-yard scramble and took three sacks.

Dobbs got off to a shaky start, producing a pair of three-and-outs and two interceptions in the first four possessions. The rookie fourth-rounder settled down from there, leading the offense to two field goals and a touchdown before exiting late in the third quarter. He may have been taken with the same pick number as Dak Prescott, but it's clear Dobbs isn't nearly as NFL-ready as Dallas' signal caller was coming into the league last year. Don't expect him to be a factor once Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) and Landry Jones (abdomen) return.

The Dolphins are expected to place Tannehill on injured reserve after upcoming reconstructive surgery on his left knee, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Tannehill had been weighing all his options with regard to the partially torn ACL in his left knee, but after attempting a recovery that included stem-cell treatment and rest, surgery is likely the best option for his long-term health. Since re-injuring himself on Aug. 3, the Dolphins coaxed Jay Cutler out of retirement to serve as their primary signal-caller, which will extend until the end of the season with Tannehill's own campaign over before it started.

Johnson is starting Friday's preseason game versus the Steelers.

With Eli Manning sidelined for the exhibition opener, Johnson has been handed the first chance to land the backup quarterback gig. Once Johnson takes a seat, Geno Smith will try has hand with the Giants offense, but rookie Davis Webb is expected to see some action as well. Nevertheless, whoever lands the No. 2 spot is unlikely to pick up more than garbage-time snaps due to Manning's consecutive-game streak of 199 games.

Rodgers was a healthy scratch for Thursday's preseason opener against the Eagles.

Rodgers suited up and took part in warmups prior to Thursday's contest, but he was in sweats when the game began, as head coach Mike McCarthy opted not to take any risks with his starting quarterback. Rodgers played briefly in just one of the Packers' four preseason games a year ago, and he figures to be on a similar plan this season.

Heinicke was 3-of-8 for 20 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Thursday's preseason win over Buffalo.

It was Heinicke's first game since 2015, as he missed all last season after surgery to repair a torn tendon in his ankle. While he completed a two-yard touchdown pass, he also threw a poor interception and also threw into triple coverage that likely should have been another interception. He's likely trailing Case Keenum by a decent margin for the backup quarterback role. If he loses the battle, it's not clear if the Vikings will keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

Keenum was 11-for-16 passing for 121 yards in Thursday's preseason win over Buffalo.

Keenum led the Vikings on a touchdown drive and didn't make any glaring mistakes. He was said to be in a close race with Taylor Heinicke for the backup quarterback role, but Heinicke struggled at times Thursday.