NFL Player News

Several sources said they would be mildly surprised if Texans coach Bill O'Brien gave up on quarterback Brian Hoyer after one game and didn't start him Week 2 against Carolina, the Houston Chronicle reports.

O'Brien said Monday he won't reveal his starting quarterback for Week 2, but already knows who he wants to go with. Hoyer was disconsolate following Week 1's loss to the Chiefs, in which he was replaced in the fourth quarter by backup Ryan Mallett, but was encouraged after looking at game film.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said Tuesday that quarterback Derek Carr (thumb) looks in "good shape" to practice and play in the Week 2 matchup against the Ravens, Alex Marvez of the FOXSports.com reports.

Initial reports Monday seemed to suggest pessimism regarding Carr's availability for Sunday's game, but the second-year quarterback apparently received good news about his condition after undergoing an MRI. The Raiders could still add a third quarterback this week as an insurance option, but if Carr is able to log a full practice by Friday, he should be locked into to start Week 2.

The Vikings had a rough season debut Monday against the 49ers, as they lost 20-3. Coach Mike Zimmer put a lot of the offensive struggles on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater was sacked five times for a loss of 54 yards, and Zimmer said it wasn't all the offensive line's fault.

“I think some of it was Teddy. A lot of it was Teddy tonight. Teddy did not play good,” Zimmer said, per the team's official website. “He was sped up, he looked unsure. I think he was concerned about all the things that they were doing defensively, so it did not look like him.”

Bridgewater, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 231 yards and one interception, didn't seem to disagree with his coach's assessment.

“I missed some easy throws tonight, throws that set us behind the sticks or plays that could have resulted in big plays,” Bridgewater said. “I just have to continue to get better each week.”

Coming off an historic NFL debut, Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota apparently isn't wasting time marveling at his four-touchdown feat in Week 1.

“We had to lift weights first thing, and Marcus was in there back squatting, doing the trap bar deadlift, doing the things that quarterbacks don’t normally do,’’ receiver Harry Douglas said, per the team's official website. “The guy’s a worker. I mean, that is one way I knew he was different from the beginning. When we came the first day we had lifting in the offseason, he was doing heavy weights. I said, ‘See, he’s a different guy.’ But you love that about him, man. If you are in the weight room and your quarterback is doing stuff like that, it makes you want to go 100 percent even more for him."

Mariota is the first player since 1933 with a perfect passer rating in his first game and second player in NFL history to throw for four touchdowns in his first NFL start (Fran Tarkenton, 1961).

Coach Ken Whisenhunt liked what he saw from Mariota in Sunday's win against the Bucs, but he is also looking forward to what the rookie does in the future.

“I don’t think we are really focused on statistics right now,’’ Whisenhunt said. “That’s great. I know obviously from seeing it, there’s a couple of things that haven’t been done before. That’s great, and it’s great for him and his legacy, and he is certainly deserving of that, but I haven’t really thought about it.” 

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was unable to lead the Vikings on any touchdown drives during Monday's 20-3 loss to the 49ers.

Bridgewater attempted 32 passes and completed 23 for 231 yards. He also threw an interception and rushed for 16 yards on three carries. His longest completion for 27 yards.

Monday's loss was the first time Bridgewater failed to record a touchdown since his third game last season in October.

Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford received an X-ray on his ankle, which came back negative, reports FOX 29. Bradford needed the exam after Monday's loss to the Falcons. 

"Don't worry about it," he said. "I'm all good. They said everything is all good."

Bradford completed 36-of-52 pass attempts for 336 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. His lone touchdown pass came in the third quarter when he connected with DeMarco Murray for an 8-yard score.

Two interceptions ruined the season opener for Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford during Monday's 26-24 loss to the Falcons.

Bradford attempted 52 passes and completed 36 for 336 yards, but he threw two costly interceptions. The final one came with under two minutes left in the game when Ricardo Allen intercepted him on third down.

His lone touchdown pass came in the third quarter when he connected with DeMarco Murray for an 8-yard score.

The Raiders received good news Monday after an MRI revealed quarterback Derek Carr only suffered a bruised hand in the Week 1 loss, reports the Associated Press.

Carr had to be removed from Sunday's game after sustaining a hand injury and was replaced by Matt McGloin. Coach Jack Del Rio said Carr has begun to squeeze a ball with the hand and he has not been ruled out of Week 2.

Despite having a big wrap on his right elbow Monday, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford indicated the issue will not be a problem going into Week 2 at Minnesota, reports the Detroit Free Press.

Stafford needed to wear a sleeve on his right arm after suffering an injury to his elbow/triceps during the third quarter Sunday. He did not say if he was able to practice Monday, but said he's not worried about the issue.

"I'll be good to go [Sunday]," he said.

The Raiders were encouraged by the results of starting quarterback Derek Carr's MRI and have informed quarterback Christian Ponder he will not be signed at this time unless Carr has a setback, according to ESPN.

An earlier report from ESPN stated Carr was unlikely to play Week 2 against the Ravens. NFL Network is reporting Carr has a bruised thumb.

Carr sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's season-opening loss to the Bengals. He was replaced by Matt McGloin, who would likely start in Carr's absence.