NFL Player News

Fields took first-team reps with the Chiefs offense during Thursday's practice and appears in line to start Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

The Chiefs appear prepared to err on the side of caution and hold out Patrick Mahomes (knee) for another exhibition game as he works his way back from ACL surgery. Mahomes has taken part in 11-on-11 drills during training camp and should be ready to go for the start of the regular season, but Fields looks poised to play extended snaps Saturday while the two-time MVP is in street clothes. Fields started and played two drives in the Chiefs' 20-12 loss to the Rams in the preseason opener last week, completing four of four pass attempts for 41 yards and carrying twice for nine yards.

Trubisky (biceps) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Trubisky exited Monday's practice due to the initial biceps issue, making Wednesday's absence a pattern. The backup quarterback's injury is apparently not a huge issue, and Trubisky is still day-to-day as he manages it. If the Titans want to stay safe with their first line of defense if Cam Ward goes down, they will likely have Will Levis or Hendon Hooker play most of the snaps in Sunday's preseason showdown with the Seahawks.

Coach Sean Payton said Nix is expected to play roughly 14 snaps during Friday's preseason game against the Packers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Nix was rested preseason Week 1 in Atlanta, but he'll see his first game action this week since suffering a broken bone in his right ankle during the Broncos' divisional-round win against the Bills. After undergoing surgery shortly thereafter and another clean-up procedure in April, he took part in mandatory minicamp in June and opened training camp in late July as a full participant. Considering Nix is poised to get a possession or two Friday, he likely will get to work with new WR Jaylen Waddle in a game setting for the first time.

Allar is set to play in Friday's preseason game against the Jets, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Allar will check into the game at an undetermined time after starter Will Howard finishes his reps. Allar and Howard are likely battling for a roster spot, with Allar's three-touchdown performance and 154.8 passer rating in last Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers being the standard Howard will likely need to match to keep up on the depth chart.

Howard is set to start Friday's preseason game against the Jets, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Howard will start the contest before eventually handing the reins off to rookie Drew Allar. The 2025 sixth-round pick appears to be competing with Allar for a 53-man roster spot, meaning Friday's game should be important for both young quarterbacks.

Rudolph will not play in Friday's preseason game against the Jets, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that he "saw what I need to see from Mason last week," implying the veteran quarterback has a place on the team for 2026. Friday's game will be dominated by Will Howard and Drew Allar, one of whom is presumably the Steelers' quarterback of the future once Aaron Rodgers retires.

Stroud and other starters will now be rested for Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday's joint practice with the Raiders gave the starters enough competitive work. He didn't explicitly say so, but his decision likely is related to WR Jayden Higgins suffering an ACL tear during Tuesday's practice. With his No. 2 receiver out for the season, Stroud is looking at a shaky group of pass catchers beyond standout No. 1 Nico Collins.

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said that Rodgers will be rested for Friday's preseason game against the Jets, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

McCarthy relayed that neither of Pittsburgh's veteran quarterbacks will take the field Friday, with the coach noting that he "saw what I need to see" from backup Mason Rudolph during the team's preseason opener versus the Packers last week. Second-year signal-caller Will Howard will draw the start Friday, and rookie third-round pick Drew Allar will receive snaps once Howard exits the game.

Mendoza worked with the first-team offense in Tuesday's joint practice with the Texans, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

While Kirk Cousins got his normal reps with the ones Tuesday, coach Klint Kubiak kept the starters out there so Mendoza could also get some work in with the starting offense as well. It was the first time this summer that the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has worked with the first-string unit. The practice reps come after Mendoza had a strong preseason debut last Thursday, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown versus Arizona. Cousins has done nothing to lose his grip on the QB1 gig in Las Vegas, but Mendoza is still a good bet to make starts before his rookie season is over.

Mullens (undisclosed) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Jamal St. Cyr of News4JAX reports.

Mullens participated in 11-on-11 drills during Tuesday's session. The veteran quarterback went 3-for-7 for 33 yards and an interception in last Saturday's preseason opener against the Saints. Mullens' participation likely means he'll be available to check into Friday's contest against the Panthers once Trevor Lawrence's potential snaps are done. After Mullen's performance last Saturday, however, coach Liam Cohen might decide to give Carter Bradley or Joey Aguilar the bulk of the second-team snaps.