NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that most of the 49ers' starters, including Purdy, will play 1-to-2 possessions during Sunday's preseason contest versus the Saints, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After sitting out San Francisco's exhibition opener last Saturday at Tennessee, Purdy and healthy starters like WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle will be out there this weekend. However, regulars like RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) and WR Brandon Aiyuk seem unlikely to see the field Saturday, barring the latter's contract dispute receiving clarity before then. Purdy is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he completed 69 percent of his passes for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while adding 144 yards and two more scores on the ground in 16 regular-season games.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday that the Texans' starters, including Stroud, will play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Giants, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ryans didn't provide an amount of time for the first teamers to remain in the contest, but Stroud played two possessions in Houston's exhibition opener last Friday at Pittsburgh, so another pair of drives this weekend seems like a reasonable expectation. Stroud is the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year after completing 64 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 167 yards and three more scores in 15 regular-season games in 2023.

Herbert worked out in the weight room without a walking boot while the Chargers practiced Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Herbert was expected to require the walking boot for about two weeks as he tended to a plantar fascia injury, and he reached the two-week mark Thursday, so he's seemingly on course in his recovery. There's also an expectation that he'll be ready for a Week 1 matchup with the Raiders, meaning his next notable step will be getting back on the practice field in some capacity. While Herbert continues his rehab, the Chargers will entrust the offense in Easton Stick, a 2019 fifth-round pick with 175 passes in six games on his NFL resume.

Coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Hartman (shoulder) will not suit up for Saturday's preseason game against Miami, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Hartman and No. 2 quarterback Marcus Mariota (groin) are both ruled out for Washington's second preseason game, so the team inked Trace McSorley as an additional depth option Thursday. As he competes for what will likely amount to a practice-squad spot at best, Hartman's next chance to suit up for exhibition action will come Aug. 25 against New England.

Coach Dann Quinn said Thursday that Mariota (groin) is ruled out for Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Mariota seems entrenched as Washington's backup behind rookie first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels, but for the time being he'll need to focus on getting healthy. During Washington's preseason opener last week, Mariota took the field on the team's second drive, after Daniels left the field. With Mariota and Sam Hartman (shoulder) both dealing with injuries, the Commanders inked Trace McSorley on Thursday.

Coach Dan Quinn said McSorley, who the Commanders signed on Thursday, will suit up for Saturday's game against the Dolphins, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Quinn said that with Marcus Mariota (groin) and Sam Hartman (shoulder) both out for Saturday's exhibition contest, McSorley will get an immediate chance to suit up for his new team. Rookie first-round pick Jayden Daniels and No. 3 quarterback Jeff Driskel remain ahead of McSorley on the depth chart, even with Mariota and Hartman sidelined.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that he expects Stafford (hamstring) to return to practice next week, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Stafford left practice early Wednesday and isn't present for Thursday's walkthrough, but the Rams have described his absence due to hamstring tightness as precautionary. That the veteran signal-caller is expected to resume practicing next week confirms his injury isn't severe. In any case, neither of Stafford or backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo have been considered candidates to play during Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, so Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn will again lead Los Angeles' offense in the exhibition contest.

Hurts isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Reiss' pre-game report on ESPN aligns with that of Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who noted that the Eagles aren't expected to play their starters on offense versus New England. In that scenario, Hurts' final opportunity to see exhibition action will occur Saturday, Aug. 24 against the Vikings.

Coach Matt Eberflus said Thursday that Williams and all healthy starters will suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Williams looked solid in his preseason debut against the Bills last week, when he led a pair of long drives that each resulted in field goals. He'll get another chance to demonstrate on-field chemistry with receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, plus running back D'Andre Swift and tight end Cole Kmet, at home against Cincinnati on Saturday.

After playing just one series in the Patriots' preseason opener, Maye is set to see increased action Thursday night against the Eagles, Albert Breer of SI.com reports.

Per Breer, look for Jacoby Brissett to play the first quarter, followed by Maye in the second quarter and into the third, with Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe on track to finish the contest. While Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is clearly the Patriots' franchise QB of the future, Brissett remains the team's presumed starter ahead of Week 1.