NFL Player News

Stafford (back) wasn't present at Wednesday's practice, instead working indoors with the training staff, Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The report suggests Stafford is still only expected to miss a handful of practices, aiming to return for the second week of training camp. He signed a two-year, $84 million extension in May, and there had been no report of any issue with his back until Rams coach Sean McVay revealed Tuesday that Stafford was out for the start of camp. McVay described the injury as "back soreness that kind of crept up" during the offseason, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. Jimmy Garoppolo figures to take most of the first-team QB reps during the opening week of training camp.

Winston and Jaxson Dart split second-team reps Thursday in 11-on-11s, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

Reports from OTAs suggested Dart was typically the second QB through the rotation, behind starter Russell Wilson and ahead of Winston. It sounds like the second-team split was closer to 50/50 on Thursday, perhaps hinting at an even competition for the QB2 job. Winston signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants in late March, a few days before they signed Wilson and about five weeks before they drafted Dart. Winston's contract includes $5.25 million guaranteed, so the Giants might try to trade him if Dart looks ready to back up Wilson by Week 1.

Fields was diagnosed with a dislocated toe after exiting Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Fields left the field on a cart and was said to be limping some. He reportedly avoided a fracture, but he's still undergoing further testing to analyze the full severity of his injury. For now, we know that it's a dislocated toe -- and not the big toe -- on his right foot. Tyrod Taylor figures to temporarily take over as the first-team quarterback, at least for the next few practices.

Fields suffered a toe injury of unknown severity during Thursday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Fields came off the practice field gingerly Thursday morning and was then carted back to the team facility. Jets coach Aaron Glenn specified after practice that the QB suffered a toe injury, but Glenn didn't comment on the potential severity or whether Fields is expected to undergo an MRI, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. It sounds like QB Tyrod Taylor may take over New York's first-team offense for at least the next few days.

Fields left Thursday's practice early with an apparent lower leg injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Fields came off the practice field and was briefly evaluated by trainers, before being carted back to the team's indoor facility. Al Iannazzone of Newsday notes that the quarterback was moving gingerly but still able to put weight on his injured leg, including walking the rest of the way once the cart arrived near the facility. Tyrod Taylor will take over as the first-team QB for the rest of Thursday's practice.

The Panthers waived Garbers on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Garbers signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in late April and was expected to compete for the No. 3 quarterback job behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton. However, Garbers was let go by the Panthers to make room on the roster for corner Tre Swilling. Garbers will likely clear waivers, at which time he will explore his next options.

Pickett got the first crack with the starters during Cleveland's 11-on-11 session Wednesday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Pickett got the nod Wednesday to operate as the team's first quarterback during 11-on-11, while Joe Flacco sat out the session. Flacco saw the first reps with the first-team offense during a modified 7-on-7 versus Cleveland's No. 1 back seven. Considering it was the team's first full-team workout, it'd be unwise to read into it deeply, but it appears Pickett is a step above rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, and he could be the early favorite to compete with Joe Flacco for the starting role in Week 1 versus the Bengals.

Flacco did not participate in the Browns' 11-on-11 session at practice Wednesday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Flacco was the first quarterback up in the team's first modified 7-on-7 series against the team's No. 1 defensive back seven. He then shifted into being a spectator for the remainder of the day, handing the reins off to Kenny Pickett to begin the team's 11-on-11 session to end practice. Not much can be inferred about the quarterback pecking order in Cleveland after the team's first full-squad workout Wednesday, but it's worth monitoring as the days pass. Flacco and Pickett appear to be the frontrunners of the Browns' four-man quarterback competition, with rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel fighting an uphill battle.

Allen has seen work with both the second-team and third-team offensive units at Lions training camp, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Allen worked with the second-team offense to open training camp Sunday before Hendon Hooker replaced him with the second-team unit Monday. Allen signed with the Lions in the offseason, and he'll compete with Hooker for the backup quarterback role behind Jared Goff this season. The 29-year-old hasn't played in any meaningful action since 2022 with the Texans, when he completed 46 of 78 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing four interceptions, in two starts with the team. Hooker spent the majority of the 2024 campaign as Goff's primary backup and likely has the early edge over Allen for the No. 2 role.

Hooker took second-team reps at practice Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Hooker was operating with the third-team offense behind Jared Goff and Kyle Allen during Sunday's first practice of training camp. The quarterback stepped it up a notch Monday, but he appears to be in a direct competition with Allen for the backup role ahead of the 2025 campaign. Hooker operated in the No. 2 role for the 2024 regular season but was moved to emergency QB in favor of veteran Teddy Bridgewater for the playoffs. Hooker has reportedly shown a strong early rapport with rookie wideouts Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, but Hooker will have to get some more work with the starters in order for Detroit to get a full read on him prior to his third year in Detroit.