NFL Player News

Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith limped off the field in the third quarter of Friday's preseason opener against the Lions after possibly twisting his right ankle.

Smith entered the game in the second quarter for starter Mark Sanchez. He had his ankle taped up and was examined by team trainers before limping back to the locker room. He completed 6 of 7 passes for 47 yards before the injury. He is expected to be further evaluated after the game.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert got the start in Friday's season opener against the Dolphins, but struggled to get anything going.

Gabbert completed just 5 of 10 passes for 19 yards, and he was intercepted once. He led the team on two straight three-and-outs, before finally picking up a first down on the third drive.  

Gabbert is battling with Chad Henne for the starting quarterback spot. 

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill struggled to find his footing in the team's second preseason game Friday against the Jaguars, but he got better as the game went on.

Tannehill led the team on three drives that ended with punts to open the game, before engineering a score in his fourth and final drive of the game. He led Miami on an 88-yard scoring drive, capped off by a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Keller.

Tannehill finished the game 5 for 9 for 75 yards and a score, before giving way to Matt Moore at the start of the second quarter. 

49ers backup quarterback Colt McCoy will have an MRI on his shoulder and neck Friday morning after suffering what he described as a stinger late in the second quarter of Thursday's preseason game against Denver, reports the Sacramento Bee.

"Just got it jammed up in my neck," McCoy said of his right, throwing shoulder. "So we'll look at it in the morning."

McCoy described the MRI has precautionary. He remained in the game for three more plays. All of them were incompletions, including an interception on the last attempt.

Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins had a very strong performance in the team's preseason opener Thursday against the Titans.

Cousins completed 6 of 7 passes for 52 yards, while throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Fred Davis. Cousins worked just the first two drives with the first-team offense, before turning the ball over to Rex Grossman.

Cousins is projected to be the backup this season behind Robert Griffin III, though there is still a remote chance Griffin might not be ready to return from knee surgery by Week 1.  

49ers backup quarterback Colt McCoy was forced to leave the team's first preseason game Thursday, after he suffered a shoulder injury. He completed 3 of 7 passes for 41 yards with an interception prior to the injury, and could not return to the field.

Despite being held out, the injury does not appear to be a serious issue, as he remained in full pads on the sidelines throughout the game. 

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert will start Friday's preseason opener against Miami, reports the Associated Press.

Gabbert will start over Chad Henne as the two are competing for the No. 1 job. The report says Gabbert is "progressing nicely," which is why he's starting against the Dolphins.

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will play one or two series, but no more than a quarter, against Denver on Thursday, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Scott Tolzien, Colt McCoy and B.J. Daniels will get the rest of the snaps as they vie for the backup job.

"It's very even," Harbaugh said. "I'm really looking forward to the games and future practices determining that."

It's been a rough week for the Packers, who lost starting left tackle Bryan Bulaga for the season and top deep threat Jordy Nelson for at least the rest of training camp. But quarterback Aaron Rodgers told SiriusXM NFL Radio that Green Bay has plenty of receiver depth.

"I think this receiving corps is the deepest I’ve seen in nine years in a training camp," Rodgers said. "As a backup and third string, guys going in 2-3-4, it’s got to be exciting to know you’re going to be throwing to these kind of guys. Jarrett Boykin and Jeremy Ross have stepped up and been very solid in camp for us. And then we’ve got a number of guys who are fighting for one or two spots, probably. We’ve had a lot of guys who’ve stepped up."

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley still isn't saying whether Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne will start Friday's preseason opener against Miami, according to the Florida Times-Union.