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  • Buccaneers' Connor Bazelak: Sharp in limited playing time

    Bazelak completed six of nine passes for 48 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Buccaneers' 29-7 preseason win over the Titans on Saturday night.

    The undrafted rookie came into the contest with 9:16 remaining in the third quarter and played the entirety of the second half. Bazelak's first three drives culminated in a punt, a fumble and a punt, but he was able to lead short marches that netted a field goal and a touchdown to close out the game. Bazelak is firmly behind Kyle Trask and Teddy Bridgewater on the depth chart, but a strong body of work this summer could lead to a practice-squad spot.

  • Rams' Matthew Stafford: Opts out of practice

    Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford (back) did not participate in practice because he didn't feel well enough coming off a workout Saturday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

    McVay had said Saturday that Stafford had no limitations in his workout and was expected to handle individual activity Monday, per Jackson, but he now mentioned a desire "to be flexible and fluid" while opting for caution and holding the veteran QB out of practice. Additionally, according to Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register, McVay said it's unclear whether Stafford will practice Tuesday and that the possibility of surgery as a potential treatment for his aggravated disc "hasn't been a conversation that we've had." The red-light therapy chamber Stafford was spotted entering at team facilities Monday also is available to the entire roster, per Jackson, rather than having been brought in specifically for the veteran signal-caller's treatment. Jimmy Garoppolo will continue handling first-team reps until such time as Stafford retakes the field.

  • Rams' Matthew Stafford: Not dressed for practice Monday

    Stafford (back) is present at team facilities Monday but will not participate in practice, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

    Rams head coach Sean McVay said the plan was for Stafford to take part in at least individual drills Monday if his workout on Saturday went well, which by all accounts it did, so it's something of a surprise to see the veteran quarterback now in street clothes. That said, throughout training camp, McVay consistently has demonstrated not only a tendency to approach Stafford's recovery with caution, but also to deviate from public commitments made about the team's approach to his rehab. There's no reason yet to believe that Stafford's lack of participation Monday represents a setback in his recovery from the aggravated disc in his back, in other words. As has been the case since early training camp, Jimmy Garoppolo will continue handling first-team reps at practice.

  • Malik Willis QB | GB

    Packers' Malik Willis: Remains in backup role

    Willis completed four of nine passes for 39 yards and had one carry for five yards in Saturday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Jets. He also lost a fumble in the contest.

    Willis entered the game after starting quarterback Jordan Love departed and led all Packers quarterbacks with 24 snaps. It was hardly the best night in the box score for Willis, but fellow quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Taylor Elgersma are not threatening him on the depth chart, and barring injury, he will remain Green Bay's No. 2 option at the quarterback spot.

  • Browns' Kenny Pickett: Still limited to 7-on-7s

    Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Pickett (hamstring) will practice but remains limited to 7-on-7 drills, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

    Pickett and Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) were both kept from suiting up for Cleveland's preseason opener against the Panthers on Friday due to injuries, leaving Joe Flacco to rest with the starters while Shedeur Sanders and Tyler Huntley dominated reps. Gabriel returned to 11-on-11 drills Monday, however, a development that places increased pressure on Pickett to return to action soon or risk falling further behind. If Cleveland opts to keep the rookie tandem of Sanders and Gabriel on the 53-man roster, Pickett and Flacco may not be competing for just the Week 1 starting role, but also a single roster spot. Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports that Stefanski hopes to make a decision on the starting QB around the time of Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles.

  • Jordan Love QB | GB

    Packers' Jordan Love: Starters likely to rest Saturday

    Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday he expects Green Bay's starters to rest during Saturday's preseason game against the Colts, but that the plan is subject to change based on the week of practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

    LaFleur made clear that he wasn't satisfied with the sloppy cameo Love and the starting offense made during Green Bay's 30-10 preseason loss to the Jets on Saturday, in which the starting QB completed just one of five passes for seven yards, in part due to multiple drops by his pass-catching corps. "I just want to see improvement out there on the practice field," LaFleur said, noting that "if we don't feel great about it, and we feel like we need the work," then the starters could end up suiting up for exhibition action this weekend. Dontayvion Wicks (calf) could have a chance to be back in action versus the Colts, but No. 1 wideout Jayden Reed (foot) is wearing a walking boot, and LaFleur hasn't provided a tangible update on the severity or recovery timetable for his injury.

  • Dillon Gabriel QB | CLE

    Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Ready for team drills

    Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Gabriel (hamstring) will participate in 11-on-11 drills, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

    Gabriel had been limited in practice for roughly a week due to a hamstring injury, which also forced him to sit out Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers, but he now appears back to full health. With Gabriel, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) all sidelined versus Carolina, fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders got a chance to log substantial exhibition action and impressed with two touchdown passes. Gabriel may have to make up lost ground in Saturday's road preseason game against the Eagles.

  • Jake Haener QB | KC

    Saints' Jake Haener: Third QB in the game Sunday

    Haener completed five of his eight pass attempts for 41 yards and an interception during Sunday's 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers.

    Haener took the field after second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough. The 2023 fourth-round pick was intercepted on his fifth passing attempt, ending the first of two offensive series that he played in the fourth quarter. Haener, Rattler and Shough came into training camp all competing for the Saints' starting job, but the latter two have been getting the bulk of first-team reps in practice. As of today, Haener appears set to serve as the emergency quarterback for New Orleans this year. His next opportunity to climb the depth chart this preseason will come against the Jaguars on Sunday, Aug. 17.

  • Chargers' Taylor Heinicke: Off target in brief start

    Heinicke completed just one of five pass attempts for eight yards and had no rushing attempts in Sunday's 27-13 preseason win over the Saints.

    Starter Justin Herbert sat out for the second exhibition in a row, affording Heinicke the opportunity to make his preseason debut this year. The journeyman backup probably wishes he hadn't on this particular Sunday after completing just one pass across two offensive drives. Heinicke was the early favorite to serve as Herbert's backup come Week 1, but Trey Lance has produced touchdowns in consecutive games and could threaten for the gig. It will be interesting to see what order the two backups are rolled out against the Rams on Saturday.

  • Tyler Shough QB | NO

    Saints' Tyler Shough: Mixed results as backup Sunday

    Shough completed 15 of 22 pass attempts for 165 yards, one touchdown and one interception with one rushing attempt for three yards in Sunday's 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers.

    Shough entered Sunday's exhibition behind Spencer Rattler (7-for-11, 53 yards) but wound up producing the preferred stat line while operating the second-string offense. Both inexperienced arms committed a turnover apiece while playing roughly a combined three quarters of action. This is truly shaping up to be a tight competition for the starting gig in New Orleans come Week 1. It wouldn't be surprising to see Shough get the nod under center against the Jaguars next Sunday in order to give both players a fair shake at being evaluated this preseason.

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