NFL Player News
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Caleb Williams QB | CHI
Bears' Caleb Williams: Struggles early, shines late
Williams completed six of 13 passes for 75 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals, adding a seven-yard TD run on a scramble.
The Bears went three-and-out on their first three drives despite using most of their starters against what was mostly the Bengals' second-string defense. Williams then produced a field goal on his fourth drive with the help of a pass-interference penalty, and on the fifth drive he made a trio of spectacular plays to finally get the Bears into the end zone. He already has an impressive highlight reel of difficult throws on the run after seven total drives in two preseason appearances, immediately showing off what many scouts considered to be his best trait. The question now is whether Williams can efficiently direct the Chicago offense so that his scrambles and high-difficulty throws are the dressing rather than the meat and potatoes. He was able to do that for both Oklahoma and USC in college, and he'll certainly have the necessary pass catchers at his disposal in Chicago, working with a deep group led by WRs DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze.
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Michael Penix Jr. QB | ATL
Falcons' Michael Penix: In street clothes
Penix appears unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game at Baltimore, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
With the rookie in street clothes for warmups and Kirk Cousins not expected to play at all this preseason, the Falcons have Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock to take QB snaps Saturday afternoon. Penix completed nine of 16 passes for 104 yards last Friday in Atlanta's preseason opener against Miami.
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Davis Mills QB | HOU
Texans' Davis Mills: Bothered by ribs
Mills is dealing with an injury to his ribs and may not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants, Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790 reports.
Mills reportedly missed practice Thursday and was limited throughout the week. An absence Saturday would free up more snaps for Case Keenum and Tim Boyle once C.J. Stroud is removed from the game.
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Jayden Daniels QB | WAS
Commanders' Jayden Daniels: Should play a drive or two
Daniels and other starters are expected to play one or two drives in Saturday's preseason game at Miami, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
Daniels played one series in the preseason opener last Saturday against the Jets, completing two of three passes for 45 yards and rushing for a three-yard TD. It sounds like he and the other starters won't play much more than that this Saturday.
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Jake Browning QB | TB
Bengals' Jake Browning: Out with rib injury
Browning (ribs) won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Chicago, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Browning played in the preseason opener but threw for only 52 yards on 18 pass attempts, and he then missed practice this week with a rib injury sustained during the game. Coach Zac Taylor said he expects the QB to "miss some time" but didn't go into further detail.
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Joe Burrow QB | CIN
Bengals' Joe Burrow: Unlikely to play Saturday
Burrow and Jake Browning (ribs) aren't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against Chicago, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Logan Woodside is left as the top QB and figures to get a lot of playing time, with undrafted rookie Rocky Lombardi then likely to finish out the game. Burrow played one drive in the preseason opener and capped it off with a TD pass to Tee Higgins.
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Easton Stick QB | ATL
Chargers' Easton Stick: In line to start Saturday
Stick is slated to start Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Stick also got the start in the Chargers' preseason opener against the Seahawks and will get the nod again this weekend after turning in a good week of practice, according to coach Jim Harbaugh. Of late, Stick has been filling in for franchise QB Justin Herbert, who's working his way back from a plantar fascia injury in his right foot.
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Matt Corral QB | MIN
Vikings' Matt Corral: Lands in Minnesota
The Vikings signed Corral to a contract Friday.
Corral signing with Minnesota corresponds to the team's official placement of rookie No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy (knee) on season-ending injured reserve. A 2022 third-round pick, Corral began his NFL career with the Panthers but missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury. He then spent some time developing with the Patriots and saw some action this spring with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions, but he's still waiting on an opportunity to make his official NFL debut. He now gets a chance to compete with Jaren Hall for a role in the quarterback room behind Week 1 starter Sam Darnold and journeyman backup Nick Mullens.
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J.J. McCarthy QB | MIN
Vikings' J.J. McCarthy: Placed on season-ending IR
The Vikings placed McCarthy (knee) on injured reserve Friday.
Minnesota signed quarterback Matt Corral in a corresponding transaction. Head coach Kevin O'Connell had already ruled McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in April's draft, out for the season, so his official placement on injured reserve was expected. McCarthy will turn his attention to making a recovery from the surgery he underwent Wednesday to make a full repair of the meniscus in his right knee, while the Vikings turn to Sam Darnold as the Week 1 starter. Corral joins Nick Mullens and second-year quarterback Jaren Hall behind Darnold on the depth chart.
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Spencer Rattler QB | NO
Saints' Spencer Rattler: Back to 100 percent
Rattler said after Friday's practice that his bruised thigh now is 100 percent, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Rattler completed nine of 17 passes for 70 yards and notched two carries for eight yards and one touchdown in his pro debut this past Saturday in Arizona, but he emerged from the preseason contest with a thigh injury and subsequently didn't practice Sunday. He returned to drills Tuesday, and by Friday he was operating as he normally would. It's unclear how the QB reps will break down for this Sunday's exhibition at San Francisco, but Rattler likely is in line for another significant workload, even if Derek Carr and Jake Haener make appearances.