NFL Player News

Taylor (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor had his knee scoped early on during training camp and missed the preseason. He recently returned to practice, however, and appears on track to handle QB2 duties behind Justin Fields in Sunday's Week 1 opener versus Pittsburgh.

Pickett (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

Prior to being traded from the Browns to the Raiders on Aug. 25, Pickett had been managing a hamstring issue. The QB's full practice participation Wednesday, however, paves the way for him to serve as Geno Smith's backup in Week 1 against the Patriots. Meanwhile, fellow signal caller Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on IR and will miss at least four games out of the gate this season.

Dalton (elbow) was not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.

Dalton was dealing with an elbow sprain late in training camp, but it looks like he'll be back to full strength for the start of the regular season. He's listed as the next man up in the event that starter Bryce Young has to come out for any reason.

McKee (thumb) did not practice Wednesday and is ruled out for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Cowboys.

McKee won't be available at home versus Dallas in Week 1, leaving Sam Howell in position to serve as the top backup to quarterback Jalen Hurts. The 2023 sixth-round pick is working his way back from a thumb fracture on his right throwing hand suffered Aug. 24. His next chance to suit up will come Week 2 on the road at Kansas City on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Jackson (foot) isn't on the Week 1 injury report.

As expected, after Jackson was mostly healthy throughout the offseason and training camp, with his lone interruption being a minor foot injury in late August. He was merely stepped on, and returned to practice a few days later, giving him two full weeks to get ready for Sunday's revenge matchup at Buffalo. The official injury report confirms Jackson is at full strength heading into the regular season.

Love (thumb) officially was a full practice participant Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Matt LaFleur announced that Love was handling every practice rep as of last Wednesday after the quarterback underwent a procedure for a ligament injury in his left thumb following preseason Week 1. According to Demovsky, Love continued to wear a brace on the thumb in question this Wednesday, but he told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic afterward that it isn't limiting him, and that he'll be able to hand off normally Sunday versus the Lions. Love thus is set for his first game action with rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden this weekend, but there's a chance WR Jayden Reed isn't available due to a Jones fracture in his left foot that kept him off the field to start Week 1 prep.

Mariota (Achilles) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Mariota spent much of training camp and the preseason managing Achilles tendinitis, but as expected, he's ready to rock for Week 1. The veteran signal-caller will operate as Jayden Daniels' backup versus the Giants on Sunday, while Josh Johnson handles emergency quarterback duties.

McKee (thumb) did not participate in Tuesday's practice.

McKee is working through a right thumb fracture, which is severe enough for him to not throw and hold the ball with his left, non-throwing hand, per Zach Berman of The Athletic. It's looking increasingly unlikely that McKee will play in Thursday's regular-season opener against the Cowboys, which means Sam Howell will likely serve as the Eagles' QB2 behind starter Jalen Hurts.

The Saints signed Haener off their practice squad Tuesday.

After falling behind Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough in the competition for the Saints' starting quarterback job during the preseason, Haener was cut last week, but he ended up sticking in the organization upon clearing waivers. He didn't have to wait long to land back on the 53-man roster, as the Saints had a spot available for him after releasing safety J.T. Gray on Monday. Haener will still slot in third on the depth chart at quarterback and is likely to remain inactive most weeks while both Rattler and Shough are available.

Mills and the Texans agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $7 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mills had been ticketed for free agency next spring, but for the second September in a row, the Texans have given him some extra security in the form of a one-year extension. The $7 million deal is fully guaranteed, which should ensure that Mills faces no real competition for the No. 2 role heading into 2026. He'll be entering his third straight season as C.J. Stroud's backup and won't be in line for anything more than spot duty so long as Stroud is healthy. Through his first two NFL seasons, Stroud has missed just two games, with both absences coming late in his rookie campaign while he recovered from a concussion.