NFL Player News

Fields is considered "more likely" than Russell Wilson (calf) to start Sunday's season opener versus the Falcons, though the Steelers won't make a decision on a starter until Wilson gets examined early Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Steelers named Wilson their starting quarterback following the preseason, but the nine-time Pro Bowler experienced calf tightness this week and was limited in practices Thursday and Friday, making his status for the opener murky. Though Wilson has informed the coaching staff that he thinks he can play through the injury, a decision on his status will likely sit in the hands of the team's training staff. Pittsburgh has a third quarterback on the roster in Kyle Allen, who would be in store for backup duties behind Fields if the Steelers choose to make Wilson inactive ahead of the game's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. While battling Wilson for the starting job during the preseason, Fields suited up for all three of the Steelers' exhibition tilts and completed 19 of 27 pass attempts for 199 yards while taking five sacks and carrying 13 times for 48 yards and fumbling four times (losing none).

Wilson (calf), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, has told the Steelers that he can play, but team doctors are being cautious, and the quarterback's status won't be determined until early Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

A report earlier Saturday deemed Wilson's chances of playing Sunday to be "very slim," and Schefter's update neither confirms nor contradicts that perspective. Pittsburgh's decision-makers could feel more comfortable taking a prudent approach and holding the veteran quarterback out due to the presence of Justin Fields, who has ample starting experience in the NFL of his own and had some impressive moments during training camp and the exhibition slate. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Wilson intends to test his calf during pregame warmups Sunday and is intent on doing everything he can to be able to suit up for the Week 1 contest. Official word on the Steelers' plans at quarterback might not become clear until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Wilson (calf) is still hoping to play Sunday against Atlanta, but sources indicate that his likelihood of doing so is "very slim," according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Wilson is officially listed as questionable for the contest, but this report creates considerable pessimism about the veteran quarterback's chance of making his regular-season Steelers debut in Week 1. Wilson reported experiencing tightness in his calf Thursday and was limited in practice both that day and Friday. He's slated to undergo continued treatment Saturday night and Sunday morning, and how he responds could ultimately determine whether Wilson is able to suit up against the Falcons. If he does end up missing the contest, Justin Fields is in line to take over as the starter in what would be his first regular-season action for Pittsburgh.

Love is expected to miss somewhere between three to six weeks after he was diagnosed with an MCL sprain of his left knee after suffering the injury in the final minute off Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Packers were likely bracing for the worst after Love was in considerable pain and needed to be helped off the field when Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter unintentionally rolled into Love's plant leg Friday, but multiple scans and tests have confirmed that the quarterback avoided a season-ending injury. The Packers have historically been cautious when it comes to players contending with knee and soft-tissue injuries in past seasons, though some reports have suggested that Love might be able to return on the shorter side of the projected 3-to-6-week timeline. Regardless of whatever length of time Love misses, the Packers will have to break in a new starting quarterback beginning Week 2 against the Colts, though it's unclear if Malik Willis -- who was traded from the Titans to the Packers just two weeks ago -- will operate as the team's new signal-caller. Sean Clifford was cut following the preseason but later re-signed to the practice squad, and after spending his entire rookie season on the Packers' active roster, he could end up getting the first crack at the starting job if Willis still needs more time to get up to speed with his new playbook. For Love's fantasy managers, the next key note to monitor will be whether he can avoid a stint on injured reserve, which would require an absence of at least four games.

The Commanders signed Hartman to the active roster Saturday.

The move corresponds with Marcus Mariota (chest) landing on injured reserve. With Mariota sidelined for at least the first four games of the regular season, Hartman will serve as the third-string quarterback behind starter Jayden Daniels and newly acquired backup Jeff Driskel.

Love is believed to have suffered an MCL injury in Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles, and while the exact severity of the injury won't be known until he undergoes additional testing, the quarterback is expected to be able to play again this season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has reported that Love is dealing with an MCL sprain, although a diagnosis has yet to be confirmed by the team. Multiple reports have already suggested that Love has avoided an ACL tear, and while that's encouraging news with regard to his availability later in the season, the signal-caller still looks set to miss some duration of time. Malik Willis came in for the final two snaps of Friday's game, and the Packers still have last season's backup, Sean Clifford, on the practice squad. However, a potential multi-week absence for Love could have the team considering all options available, including a veteran free agent like Ryan Tannehill, who played under Matt LaFleur when the two were together on the Titans.

Mariota (chest) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Mariota suffered a chest injury Wednesday during practice, which will now keep him out at minimum until early October. The Commanders signed rookie Notre Dame product Sam Hartman from the practice squad to operate as the third-string quarterback behind starter Jayden Daniels and new backup Jeff Driskel to open the season.

The ACL in Love's left knee appears intact based on initial tests, but he'll undergo additional scans Saturday that will likely determine his recovery plan moving forward, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

While Love appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario with regard to the lower leg issue he suffered late in Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles, the report doesn't shed much light on the exact nature of the injury. Expect further updates on Love's condition to come forth within the next day or two, given the spotlight on the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Willis did not complete the lone pass he attempted in Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles.

Willis has been a Packer for less than two weeks, but he took the field for the final two plays of Friday's contest after starting quarterback Jordan Love (lower leg) was forced from the game. Love's status remains up in the air, but if he is forced to miss any time, Green Bay will need to turn to either Willis, Sean Clifford -- who is on the practice squad but has been with the Packers since being drafted by the team in 2023 -- or a quarterback outside the organization.

Love (lower leg) will undergo an MRI on Saturday after being injured late in Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Per the report, "an ankle injury has been ruled out at this point," but Love could still be dealing with another leg issue. The Packers will likely release an update on Love's status once the results of his MRI are available.