NFL Player News

Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that the team hasn't yet decided whether Simpson or Stetson Bennett will begin the regular season as the backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register reports.

Simpson worked behind Bennett in Saturday's preseason win over New Orleans and did fine, completing eight of 12 passes for 73 yards while rushing three times for 10 yards. Meanwhile, Bennett shined in the contest, connecting on 19 of 31 pass attempts for 181 yards and adding two rushing touchdowns. All signs to this point have hinted at Bennett opening the regular season as the Rams' top backup behind Stafford, but McVay said Monday that he's "taking things a day at a time" in terms of making that decision. Still, McVay added that Bennett saw more second-team reps than Simpson on Monday and indicated that Simpson will "definitely" play in the team's preseason finale Thursday versus the Chargers while not committing to Bennett's participation, which could both be signs that the scale is tilting in Bennett's favor for the regular-season QB2 job.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that he's yet to make a decision about whether Bennett or rookie Ty Simpson will open the regular season as the backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register reports.

Bennett made a strong case for the role with his performance in Saturday's preseason matchup against the Saints, when he completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and logged two rushing touchdowns. Simpson saw less action and had a more modest performance, connecting on eight of 12 pass attempts for 73 yards while rushing three times for 10 yards, but it appears both QBs are still in contention to serve as the top regular-season backup behind Stafford. McVay noted Monday that he's "truly taking things a day at a time" and mentioned that Bennett book nine second-team reps during practice to Simpson's six. The head coach also said that Simpson will "definitely" play in the team's preseason finale Thursday versus the Chargers while indicating that it hasn't yet been decided if Bennett will suit up, which may suggest that the latter has the edge in the competition for the QB2 job despite the lack of a firm decision to this point.

Beck (ribs) continued to be a limited participant at Monday's practice, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Beck fared well in the Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. However, the rookie third-round pick came out of that contest with a rib injury that has capped his practice reps in the meantime and otherwise sidelined him for the Cardinals' next two exhibitions. Beck thus has one more chance for preseason action Friday at Green Bay before likely being relegated to the team's No. 3 QB role behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew to begin his career.

King (hamstring) will not play in Friday's preseason finale against the Texans, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.

King suffered a hamstring injury in the Panthers' win over the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6. He played well in that contest, but given his lack of practice reps and the fact that he'll miss the last three preseason games, King's place on the 53-man roster by the end of training camp is far from guaranteed. Kenny Pickett is expected to be Bryce Young's backup this season, so if the Panthers choose to roster a third quarterback, then Kyle Trask would be King's competition for the QB3 role.

McCarthy (undisclosed) participated in Monday's practice, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

After losing out on the QB competition with Kyler Murray to begin training camp, McCarthy proceeded to get banged up in Saturday's 13-3 preseason loss to the Ravens, taking one sack while completing five of 10 passes for 81 yards. Seifert noted that McCarthy handled three reps in team drills Monday, which is a bit less than normal, but the Vikings held the session in shells and not pads, so the third-year pro likely still is dealing with the issue.

Both Tua Tagovailoa and Penix (knee) will take reps with the first-team offense Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Monday's session will mark Penix's first work in full-team drills this summer, a significant milestone for the QB as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in his left knee Week 11 of last season. At this stage, it's unclear if Penix will play in Friday's preseason finale against the Dolphins, but the 2024 first-rounder's ability to commence working in full drills gives him an opportunity to make some strides in the team's QB competition ahead of Week 1.

Sanders will open the season as the Browns' backup quarterback after the team named Deshaun Watson its starter Monday, multiple sources tell NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

Sanders and Watson had been battling for the job since the start of the offseason program and alternated starts in the Browns' first two preseason tilts. Between losses to the Bears and Bills, Sanders completed 15 of 22 attempts for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While Watson didn't fare dramatically better than Sanders in the two exhibition games, his superior performance during camp practices in addition to his greater NFL experience and pricey contract were likely major factors in him emerging as the victor in the job battle. Watson is unlikely to head into Week 1 with a long leash, however, and Sanders should have a good chance at making starts in 2026 if the Browns limp out to a poor start to the season.

The Browns named Watson their starting quarterback Monday, multiple sources tell NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

Watson won out in a job battle with Shedeur Sanders, after the quarterbacks alternated starts in the Browns' first two preseason contests. After an efficient showing in the preseason opener against the Bears (11-for-15 for 126 yards), Watson was unproductive over his four second-half drives in Saturday's 31-7 exhibition loss to the Bills, completing just five of 12 throws for 36 yards and an interception. The Browns were apparently encouraged enough from what they've seen from Watson over the course of training camp and the first two preseason tilts to move forward with him as their starter heading into the regular season, but he'll most likely be on a short leash. Since joining the Browns in 2022, Watson has posted a lowly 33.1 QBR while being limited to 19 total games due to injuries, including a torn right Achilles tendon and a subsequent re-rupture that kept him out for the entire 2025 season.

Lock completed 12 of 14 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown while rushing twice for eight yards in Sunday's 19-16 preseason loss to the Titans.

Lock started with Sam Darnold resting, and the veteran backup posted a sharp performance as Seattle's backups outplayed Tennessee's starters. All 16 of the Seahawks' points came in the first quarter. Any lingering doubts about Lock securing the second spot on the depth chart over 2025 third-round pick Jalen Milroe were erased by Milroe's poor second-half performance, as the former Alabama QB threw for just 52 yards with two interceptions.

Ward completed eight of 12 passes for 69 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 19-16 preseason win over the Seahawks.

Ward put forward a second consecutive uninspiring preseason performance, as the Titans trailed Seattle's backups 16-3 after his three drives in the game. He also had the ball knocked out of his hands while scrambling for a fumble out of bounds that went down as a sack. The 2025 first overall pick has averaged just 5.3 yards per pass attempt while failing to throw a touchdown pass this preseason. Tennessee will wrap up preseason play Saturday against the Bears.