NFL Player News
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Trey Lance QB | LAC
Chargers' Trey Lance: Returns from hand injury
Lance completed seven of 15 passes for 121 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams. He added four rushes for 25 yards.
Lance dealt with a hand injury in the week of practice leading up to Saturday's contest, but he was able to take the field as he continues to compete for the backup job behind Justin Herbert. Lance entered the game late in the second quarter following Taylor Heinicke, suggesting he is currently third on the depth chart. Neither Lance nor Heinicke were all that impressive in their opportunity, though Lance did deliver a nice deep ball to Tre Harris late in the third quarter to set up a touchdown.
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Justin Herbert QB | LAC
Chargers' Justin Herbert: Leads one series
Herbert completed two of five passes for 46 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Herbert made a brief appearance, leading one drive that went nine plays and 51 yards. Though his completion percentage left something to be desired, Herbert displayed plenty to be encouraged about, connecting early with Ladd McConkey on a short pass before hitting KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 29-yard gain down the left sideline. Herbert may not see the field again until the regular season, but he appears ready to roll if that is the case.
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Justin Fields QB | NYJ
Jets' Justin Fields: Leads one scoring drive Saturday
Fields completed one of five passes for four yards and had a five-yard carry during Saturday's 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants.
Fields was afforded two possessions in the Jets' second exhibition, which resulted in a punt and a successful Nick Folk field-goal attempt. Through two exhibitions, Fields has targeted top WR Garrett Wilson four times, but all four have gone down as incompletions. It's unclear of coach Aaron Glenn will trot out the starters in Friday's preseason finale against the Eagles, but if he doesn't, Fields will be under center for New York's Week 1 matchup with the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 7.
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Jaxson Dart QB | NYG
Giants' Jaxson Dart: Nearly perfect in second exhibition
Dart completed 14 of 16 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown in the Giants' 31-12 exhibition win over the Jets on Saturday. He also rushed two times for five yards and a second touchdown.
After Dart completed 12 of 19 throws for 154 yards and one touchdown in his preseason debut last week, the first-round rookie followed it up with a nearly perfect performance. Dart's touchdown toss was a 20-yard hookup with Greg Dulcich in the second quarter. He followed it up with a one-yard rushing score before halftime. Dart was the second quarterback in the game for the G-Men after Russell Wilson made the start. Following the performance, coach Brian Daboll reiterated that Wilson is the team's starting quarterback headed into the season, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports. Dart, however, is a good bet to make rookie-year starts and is worth a late-round pick in best-ball formats.
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Russell Wilson QB | NYG
Giants' Russell Wilson: Throws INT on Saturday
Wilson completed four of seven passes for 108 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception in the Giants' 31-12 exhibition win over the Jets on Saturday.
After sitting out the preseason opener, Wilson made the start for the G-Men in this one and played a couple series. His interception looked like a miscommunication between Wilson and his receiver down the field. Wilson is expected to open the season as the Giants' starting quarterback, but first-round rookie Jaxson Dart has looked tremendous this preseason and is a good bet to make rookie-year starts. Wilson is not an attractive fantasy quarterback option in 12-team leagues.
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Brock Purdy QB | SF
49ers' Brock Purdy: Looks good in preseason debut
Purdy completed five of seven pass attempts for 66 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 22-19 exhibition win over the Raiders on Saturday.
Purdy was held out of San Francisco's preseason opener against Denver last Saturday, but he got the start and played one series against Las Vegas. The fourth-year QB led the 49ers down the field for a 30-yard field goal on that drive, connecting with Ricky Pearsall three times for 42 yards along the way. All told, it was a strong performance by Purdy in his first game action since signing a massive five-year, $265 million contract extension in May.
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Geno Smith QB | LV
Raiders' Geno Smith: Efficient in exhibition loss
Smith went 6-for-8 for 55 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Saturday's preseason defeat against San Francisco.
Smith played just one drive in Las Vegas' preseason opener against the Seahawks on Aug. 7, but he doubled that amount Saturday, playing into the early part of the second quarter. The veteran QB led his team to two scores -- a 41-yard Daniel Carlson field goal and a one-yard Ashton Jeanty touchdown. Notably, Smith connected on a 28-yard pass play with Brock Bowers on the Raiders' first offensive snap, perhaps signaling strong chemistry between the quarterback and his top option through the air. Smith isn't the flashiest of signal-callers, but he represents a significant upgrade at the position for Las Vegas after the team made do with a combination of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell under center last year.
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Sam Howell QB | PHI
Vikings' Sam Howell: Poor showing in Saturday's start
Howell completed one of five passes for 13 yards and an interception in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Patriots. He added 14 rushing yards on three carries.
The fourth-year QB isn't exactly known for his mobility, but he gained more yards on the ground than through the air in two drives as part of an overall poor performance from the Vikings' offense. Howell is set as the top backup to J.J. McCarthy this season, but the 2024 first-round pick would have to be a significant flop, or suffer another serious injury, for the former Commander and Seahawk to see more than mop-up duty this season.
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Drake Maye QB | NE
Patriots' Drake Maye: Leads TD drive Saturday
Maye completed four of seven passes for 46 yards in Saturday's 20-12 preseason win over the Vikings.
The second-year QB didn't add any yards on the ground or toss any TDs in two drives before checking out of the contest, but Maye did help position the Patriots for an eight-yard TreVeyon Henderson rushing score in the first quarter. Maye got his supporting cast upgraded this offseason with the additions of Henderson and Stefon Diggs (knee), and New England is counting on the third overall pick in the 2024 Draft to take a big step forward in 2025.
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Kyle Allen QB | DET
Lions' Kyle Allen: Tosses two TDs in preseason loss
Allen completed 14 of 17 pass attempts for 124 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 24-17 preseason loss to the Dolphins.
Allen has now impressed in back-to-back preseason appearances, combining for 244 passing yards and four touchdowns in those contests, without an interception. While Allen has outplayed fellow reserve quarterback Hendon Hooker thus far throughout the preseason, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the backup competition behind Jared Goff remains open. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Hooker may get the start during Detroit's preseason finale against the Texans next Saturday, but both signal-callers figure to get substantial reps.