NFL Player News

Rattler worked with the first-team offense again Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

It's the first time this summer that the same Saints QB has started off with the first-string offense in consecutive practices. Rattler also did the honors for Sunday's scrimmage and ended up playing five of the seven first-team drives. He'd already gotten a bit more work with the starters than rookie Tyler Shough during training camp, with the past few days perhaps marking a shift even further in Rattler's direction. Underhill and Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana are calling Rattler a clear favorite to start Week 1, although opinion has been more divided among Saints beat writers when it comes to the quality of the quarterbacks' performances in practice. Saints head coach Kellen Moore recently said he's "close" to making a decision on his Week 1 starter.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that Burrow and other starters will play "a couple" or "several" drives in Thursday's preseason game against Philadelphia, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Taylor mentioned two weeks ago that he planned to play his starters in the preseason more than he ever had before. TE Mike Gesicki (undisclosed) and a few defensive starters may not be available, but it sounds like Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the other standouts on offense are scheduled for multiple drives Thursday evening.

Bridgewater is visiting Tampa Bay on Tuesday and is expected to sign a contract with the team, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bridgewater retired prior to the 2024 season but returned to sign a one-year deal with the Lions in late December. He didn't ultimately log any regular-season stats last season, while mostly working as the emergency option behind Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker, but Bridgewater assumed the No. 2 role during Detroit's loss to Washington in the NFC divisional round and played three snaps. If he indeed inks a deal with the Buccaneers, Bridgewater will compete with Kyle Trask for the No. 2 gig behind Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield (hand) is participating in Tuesday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Mayfield missed two training camp sessions after suffering a hand contusion Thursday, but he's back on the field to begin the new week of practice. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Buccaneers are expected to sign veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to provide Kyle Trask with strong competition for the No. 2 gig, but Mayfield's spot atop the depth chart is in no question.

Huntley signed with the Browns on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The signing comes as Kenny Pickett (hamstring), Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (shoulder) are all dealing with injuries, per Schefter. In 2024, Huntley spent time with the Browns and appeared in five games with the Dolphins, recording 829 passing yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. The quarterback would likely need a long-term injury to one or more of the Browns' current QBs to have a chance to stick with the team, as Joe Flacco appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the starting role, and Gabriel and Sanders were both selected by Cleveland in the 2025 Draft.

McCarthy is expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

McCarthy's workload in Minnesota's exhibition opener is to be determined. Beyond that, as coach Kevin O'Connell told Goessling, the Vikings "will more than likely" focus on a joint practice with the Patriots next Wednesday, Aug. 13 and then hold out McCarthy in the ensuing preseason contest with New England on Saturday, Aug. 16. How McCarthy looks after that point will determine whether or not he sees game action in the final preseason contest Friday, Aug. 22 at Tennessee.

Taylor (knee) didn't practice Monday, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Taylor had previously worked as the backup to Justin Fields, who is viewed as the team's clear starter after signing a two-year contract with the Jets in the offseason. If Taylor isn't available for Saturday's preseason opener against the Packers, Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook would be in line for additional opportunities.

Gabriel (hamstring) will be limited in Monday's practice, per coach Kevin Stefanski, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Stefanski also told Oyefusi that Gabriel sustained and reported the hamstring injury in practice Saturday. Shedeur Sanders (arm) is returning to full participation Monday alongside Joe Flacco, while Gabriel's limited participation in team drills will be more than Kenny Pickett (hamstring) puts forth. It remains to be seen what combination of the four quarterback Cleveland deploys in its preseason opener Thursday against the Panthers.

Pickett (hamstring) won't take part in team drills during Monday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

While Pickett's return to the practice field is a positive development, the hamstring injury that previously sidelined him continues to limit him. Once Pickett is able to work fully, he'll look to resume competing for the Browns' top QB job, but for now Zac Jackson of The Athletic suggests that Pickett has been losing ground on that front to veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco. Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Pickett is unlikely to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers.

Mordecai was waived by the 49ers on Monday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The 49ers are parting ways with Mordecai four days after signing quarterback Carter Bradley to a one-year contract. Mordecai had been part of the organization since signing with San Francisco as an undrafted free agent in May of 2024. He will be free to sign with any team if he passes through waivers unclaimed.