Wilson (calf) remains in a competition with Justin Fields to serve as the Steelers' starting quarterback early in training camp, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Wilson has dealt with a calf injury over the first few days of training camp, which has allowed Fields to see increased playing time with the first-team offense. While coach Mike Tomlin recently indicated that "nothing has changed" in regard to Wilson being in "pole position" for the starting job, Fields has made plays with his arm and legs early in camp and could force the team's hand if his strong play continues throughout the rest of training camp and the preseason. Wilson recently returned to practice, but he's been brought along slowly as a precautionary measure, and his grasp on the starting job could slip if his injury lingers over the coming days and weeks.

Fields has impressed early in training camp and is still attempting to make a case for the starting quarterback job, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.

Fields has seen increased work with the first-team offense over the first few days of training camp since Russell Wilson has been hampered by a calf injury. While coach Mike Tomlin recently said that Wilson continues to have "pole position" in the quarterback competition, Fields has posed a challenge for Pittsburgh's defense through his versatility as a passer and runner. While Wilson remains the favorite to start with just over a month remaining until the regular season, Fields should continue to have the chance to compete for the job during preseason action.

Haener, who developed a rare form of skin cancer on his facial area, will have a procedure Monday to address the issue, Luke Loffredo of the USA Today reports.

The reports notes that Haener is expected back at practice Wednesday, following the Saints' off day on Tuesday. Once the 2023 fourth-rounder returns to the field, he and fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler are in line to compete for backup slotting behind top QB Derek Carr.

Smith isn't expected to miss time, as testing Thursday revealed no significant problems with his knee and hip, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

There was perhaps a brief moment of panic Thursday evening when Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that Smith would undergo testing for multiple issues. It now sounds like the QB may just be dealing with soreness in his knee and hip, rather than anything that would threaten his Week 1 availability. The Seahawks may nonetheless hold Smith out of practice temporarily, which would give Sam Howell a chance to work with the starting offense.

Rypien completed 11 of 15 passes for 166 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Bears' 21-17 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday. He added one rush for nine yards.

Rypien took over on the Bears' second possession and was masterful during his time in the game, averaging 11.1 yards per attempt while connecting with Collin Johnson (20, nine yards) and Tommy Sweeney (22 yards) for his trio of touchdown tosses. The journeyman signal-caller joined Chicago when free agency opened, and although he's generally been perceived as the No. 3 quarterback, Thursday's showing suggests he could conceivably usurp Tyson Bagent for the No. 2 job if he can put together an impressive enough body of work this preseason.

Bagent started the Bears' 21-17 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday, completing two of three passes for 16 yards.

As his modest final line implies, Bagent, who's thought to have the inside track to the No. 2 job, made only a cameo appearance. The second-year pro played on the Bears' first possession and recorded his two completions to Roschon Johnson and Stephen Carlson. Brett Rypien, Bagent's competition to serve as the primary backup to first overall pick Caleb Williams, saw the bulk of playing time in the weather-shortened game and excelled in a three-touchdown performance, so Bagent will likely have to perform well in any more extensive action he may see the remainder of preseason to ensure he keeps his presumptive lead in the job battle.

Mills started the Texans' 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears on Thursday and completed 10 of 13 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown while also netting no gain on two carries.

Mills, who's entering the final year of his rookie contract and is battling veteran Case Keenum for the No. 2 job this summer, made a strong opening case for his candidacy Thursday. The 2021 third-round pick completed a six-yard pass to Xavier Hutchinson on the first play from scrimmage and went on to cap off the game-opening 13-play, 74-yard march with a nine-yard touchdown toss to tight end Teagan Quitoriano. Mills completed two drives overall before giving way to Keenum, who was productive in his own right. The job battle is likely to last through the remainder of the preseason schedule, with both players offering the benefit of plenty of experience and solid mobility.

Dalton injured his quad in practice Thursday and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Dalton has a firm grasp on the backup quarterback job in Carolina, so this absence shouldn't affect his standing with the team. However, he could be sidelined for the entirety of preseason action, which would leave Jack Plummer to handle large portions of games.

Coach Mike Macdonald relayed that Smith is slated to undergo imaging Thursday night to evaluate an unspecified issue, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Per John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site, Macdonald indicated that Smith is "working through a couple things," which Dugar notes could be knee and/or hip issues. If Smith is forced to miss any time, Sam Howell would be next up for the team's QB reps in practice.

The Falcons signed Rourke to a contract Thursday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

After being let go by the Giants on Sunday, Rourke wasted no time finding another team as the Falcons released quarterback John Paddock in a corresponding move. Rourke, a one-time star in the CFL, will use training camp as an opportunity to compete against Taylor Heinicke for the emergency quarterback role behind presumptive starter Kirk Cousins and 2024 eighth overall pick Michael Penix.