NFL Player News

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that he expects Lance (hand) to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Lance hasn't taken team reps at practice this week while wearing a wrap on his right hand, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, but the injury isn't expected to sideline the 2021 first-round pick Saturday. Lance is competing with Taylor Heinicke for the backup spot behind Justin Herbert. Harbaugh indicated that all three quarterbacks will see the field Saturday.

Herbert will start Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

With regard to to the Chargers' approach to the contest, coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Thursday, "We're going to play starters on Saturday." As for Herbert, who is in line to make his first-ever preseason appearance, Harbaugh said that the QB is expected to play "a series, could be two," along with the team's other offensive starters. Beyond that, Harbaugh expects both Trey Lance (hand) and Taylor Heinicke to log snaps this weekend.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Nix and the majority of starters won't play during Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Payton also said that Nix and the starters would play somewhere in the range of 8-10 snaps during Denver's preseason finale against New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 23. The second-year signal-caller completed six of 11 passes for 31 yards during the Broncos' preseason opener against the 49ers, and it sounds like he'll get a chance to handle one more drive during the team's exhibition finale. Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger will split reps versus Arizona, with Nix watching from the sidelines.

Dekkers was waived by the Saints on Thursday.

The Saints have signed and waived Dekkers twice over the past three months. The rookie quarterback is trying to earn a spot in the NFL after going undrafted out of Iowa Western.

Rodgers is among the Steelers' key players not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With regard to the team's plans for Saturday's contest, coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the same players (with the possible exception of LB Nick Herbig) who didn't play last weekend against the Jaguars won't face Tampa Bay, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site. Apart from Rodgers, that's a group that includes RB Jaylen Warren, WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). Beyond that, Rodgers is no lock to see any snaps in Pittsburgh's Aug. 21 preseason finale against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph is slated to start at QB this Saturday for the second straight contest, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that Prescott will not start Saturday's preseason matchup against the Ravens, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 32-year-old signal-caller also sat out Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams last weekend, meaning Prescott's final opportunity to suit up for exhibition reps will be Friday, Aug. 22 against the Falcons. In his stead, No. 2 quarterback Joe Milton (elbow), and third-stringer Will Grier figure to again split reps. Prescott has spent training camp picking up an expanded scheme, much of which carries over from Schottenheimer's tenure as offensive coordinator last season, plus building chemistry with new No. 2 receiver George Pickens.

Coach Brian Callahan noted that Ward and the Titans starters are slated to play in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Nick Gray of the Nashville Tennessean reports.

On that subject, Callahan revealed ahead of the team's joint practices with the Falcons that "everybody is going to play, similar to last week." In the team's preseason opener against the Buccaneers last Saturday, Ward worked for two series, a pattern that he could follow versus Atlanta before giving way to fellow QBs Brandon Allen and Trevor Siemian.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that Milton (elbow) will start Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Milton was pulled from Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams last weekend early due to an elbow injury, but he's recovered quickly enough that he won't have to miss any exhibition action. The second-year quarterback completed completed 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception versus Los Angeles before being replaced by Will Grier, while also rushing five times for 22 yards.

Garoppolo is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports.

Given that top QB Matthew Stafford is still hampered by a back issue, it's no surprise that the Rams are playing it safe with their veteran backup, with Stu Jackson of the team's official site having previously relayed via coach Sean McVay that Garoppolo won't play in any preseason games. In that context, Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn are available to handle signal-caller reps this weekend.

Pickett (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

On the plus side, Pickett, who remains limited to 7-on-7 work, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, said Thursday that he feels like he's "turning the corner." As for whether the QB can improve to the point where he can practice fully next week, Pickett acknowledged to Jackson, "I can't say that yet. It will be close." As things stand, Joe Flacco continues to trend toward getting the start Week 1, with Pickett's chances of making a late push for the assignment still hampered by the fact that he's not yet 100 percent back from his hamstring issue.