NFL Player News

Mark Sanchez will battle Matt Barkley for the backup quarterback job behind Nick Foles in camp this summer. But ESPN says to "put your money on Sanchez" winning the No. 2 spot, suggesting that the Eagles wouldn't have even signed him if he was going to be their emergency quarterback. 

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (knee) has been cleared for 11-on-11s when training camp begins July 26, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"It's exciting for me," Hoyer said. "It's something I've worked really hard to get back to and I'm just looking forward to getting going once everybody gets there next Friday and then obviously the first practice is next Saturday, so it's an exciting time for us."

Hoyer, who will start out No. 1 on the depth chart ahead of Johnny Manziel, hopes he'll be full-go for all 13 practices of camp.

"It hasn't been discussed yet," he said. "All I know is that when I left and I was begging them to let me practice, they said once training camp comes there won't be any limitations, so we'll see how it goes and take it day-by-day. Obviously we're going to see how the knee's feeling, but I'm geared up and ready to go and excited. I can't wait for next Saturday."

Hoyer, who suffered the torn ACL against the Bills Oct. 3, acknowledged it's rewarding to finally get the green light. The medical staff limited him in 11-on-11s during minicamp and organized team activities.

"It feels good to know that I put the work in and now it's time to go," he said. "You don't think about it. You just go out and play football."

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford appears to be on schedule for a return to health from his season-ending knee injury, and the Rams expect him to be close to or at full speed for the start of camp, reports ESPN.

Bradford will get a third season in coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense, but it's safe to assume the Rams won't ask Bradford to carry the load for what will likely be a run-heavy offense.

The Rams have clearly abandoned the spread approach they were installing this time last year, but they will almost certainly be more balanced than they were after Bradford's injury in 2013. 

One of the biggest question marks for the Jets this season is who will be the starting quarterback between Michael Vick and Geno Smith, reports ESPN.

So far, it seems like Smith is in the lead. The Jets plan to give him 70 to 75 percent of the first-team practice reps in training camp. 

Vick was mediocre in the spring practices, but the report says it's not a stretch to think he could light it up in the preseason. After all, he has a background in Marty Mornhinweg's offense, so it should be a seamless transition.

Publicly, Vick says he's OK with his role as the mentor/backup, but perhaps that will change if it becomes obvious he's the best man for the job. From the team's perspective, the best that could happen is Smith steps up and makes it an absolute no-brainer.

This is a big season coming up for Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, reports ESPN.

The report says the "kid gloves are off and this a crucial third year for the former first-round pick. Is Tannehill a franchise building block or just another average quarterback? He's shown reasons to make a case for both sides. But the Dolphins are standing behind Tannehill for at least one more season to see if he can improve on his 15-17 career record."

This year Tannehill must prove he can lead the Dolphins to the playoffs. And he must do so while learning a new offense for the first time in his career. If he struggles, the team could look at finding a new quarterback for next season.

Jets receiver David Nelson told CBSSports Radio that the entire team views Geno Smith as the starting quarterback.

"For all of us, it’s Geno’s team," Nelson said. "And from what we’ve been told and what we’ve been working toward, it’s Geno’s team, and Mike Vick is coming in to kind of (fill) a supporting role. If anything happens to Geno, we have a proven starter and a proven winner backing him up. That’s the direction we’re moving."

The New York Daily News said the real question is what happens if Smith doesn't perform up to expectations in the preseason. Vick could still unseat him, the paper said.

Second-year pro Ryan Nassib is firmly entrenched as the Giants' backup quarterback, reports The Star-Ledger. Nassib has picked up the new offensive system quickly, the paper said.

"Really smart," Danny Langsdorf, the team's new quarterbacks coach, told the paper. "I think he’s done a great job, especially in our no-huddle periods of just being able to get guys lined up, whether we’re in a two-minute situation or whatever situation we’ve been in he’s done a great job of just getting us in a correct formation, getting us lined up.

"He’s just got to keep working on executing, whether it’s a throw or timing with the receivers, he’s just got to continue to work with those guys but he’s been very good to this point in terms of studying and learning."

Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin made one regular-season catch in 2013 as he missed most of the year with a hip injury. Quarterback Russell Wilson told NFL Network the duo is building chemistry quickly.

"We've connected so much, and he's so fired up," Wilson said. "He looks so good."

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer told CBS Cleveland there's "no doubt" he's 100 percent healthy and that he'll participate fully in all of training camp. Hoyer is coming back from a torn ACL that ended his 2013 season after three games.

Hoyer sat out some team drills during OTAs as coaches managed his knee, but he's not expected to be limited during camp. "Yeah, no doubt. No doubt," Hoyer said. "I’m ready to go so can’t wait for Day 1."

The Ravens drafted Keith Wenning in the sixth round to vie with Tyrod Taylor for the backup job behind quarterback Joe Flacco. But in minicamps, Wenning did not appear ready to challenge Taylor, reports the Baltimore Sun.

The paper expects Wenning to serve as the No. 3 quarterback this season while Taylor finishes out his rookie contract.