NFL Player News

Coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that Goff isn't in line to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Giants, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Campbell suggested other key players will be held out but only mentioned Goff by name. The list of absentees figures to include WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, TE Sam LaPorta (hamstring) and RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, among others.

Coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that the plan is for Brissett to start Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Mayo said "everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game, will play," per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, so Brissett figures to have command of the full first-team offensive unit. New England's starters likely won't play more than a few series, and Brissett could have a further cap on his reps if the team also wants rookie third-overall pick Drake Maye to also get some work in with the first-team unit. Albert Breer of SI.com reports that Brissett has shown out as the best quarterback throughout training camp, so the veteran remains the favorite to start Week 1 under center, though Maye has quietly also shown progress.

Coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that Maye will play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Panthers, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Maye has spent training camp working behind veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who remains the favorite to open the 2024 campaign as New England's starter. The rookie No. 3 overall pick has reportedly had an up-and-down camp, but Albert Breer of SI.com reports that many of those struggles can be attributed to working with the second-string O-line, and that Maye has nonetheless impressed the coaching staff with his vision. Brissett figures to start Thursday's exhibition matchup, but it will be interesting to see whether Maye also gets a chance to work with the first-team offense.

Darnold is listed as the starting quarterback on Minnesota's initial preseason depth chart.

The preseason depth charts often don't mean much, but this does line up with what's been reported by Vikings beat writers all summer. The catch is that coach Kevin O'Connell recently said J.J. McCarthy will start getting first-team reps later in August once more of the offense has been installed, at which point the rookie QB could perhaps make a strong enough impression to push Darnold out of the top spot. So far, Darnold has dominated first-team reps, dating back to the offseason program and now through two weeks of training camp.

Purdy was spotted putting in extra reps with the training staff following the 49ers' last team practice in an effort to improve his mobile throwing accuracy, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

When asked about the optional throwing session, Purdy referenced the team's upcoming off day while adding that he felt he needed to improve on his accuracy while evading pursuers on the run. The 24-year-old is coming off of an MVP-caliber season in which he completed 69 percent of his passes for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdown passes over 16 regular-season games, so the fact that he isn't resting on those laurels should excite potential fantasy investors for the 2024 season. There shouldn't be too many doubters left regarding Purdy's elite status both as an NFL player and asset in fantasy following his meteoric rise to stardom in San Francisco as the last pick of the 2022 Draft.

Daniels is listed atop the initial preseason depth chart at quarterback and will start Saturday's preseason game against the Jets, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Daniels is one of three Washington rookies listed as a starter, with the others being left tackle Brandon Coleman. taken with the 67th overall pick, and slot corner Mike Sainristil, drafted 50th overall. In Daniels' case, there's never really been any doubt he would start, as he's taken more first-team reps than Marcus Mariota during training camp. The second overall pick won't have the best receiving talent around him in Year 1 aside from Terry McLaurin, although a rebound season from Austin Ekeler would help. Daniels' running ability still hints at fantasy value even if the Commanders' passing game ends up being subpar under coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Rudolph is listed ahead of Malik Willis on the Titans' first unofficial depth chart, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Rudolph reportedly split reps evenly with Willis to begin training camp but has since begun to separate himself as the winner of the backup quarterback competition in Tennessee. Wyatt reports that Rudolph has completed 84.2 percent of his pass attempts in camp.

Coach Dave Canales said Monday there's "a chance" Young won't suit up for any of Carolina's preseason games, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Young is unlikely to suit up for Thursday's preseason opener against New England, per David Newton of ESPN.com, particularly with backup Andy Dalton (hamstring) already sidelined. Rookie Jack Plummer could realistically start Thursday's preseason game, and Carolina inked Jake Luton on Monday to provide extra depth. Rookie first-round wideout Xavier Legette (foot) also seems unlikely for Thursday, so though it would benefit Young to get some reps in with new center Austin Corbett, as well as new veteran target Diontae Johnson, it sounds as though the 2023 No. 1 overall pick isn't in consideration for immediate preseason action. What remains to be seen is whether or not Young will be available for exhibition reps when the rest of the offense is in a healthier state.

Coach Antonio Pierce noted Monday that he expects both O'Connell and Gardner Minshew to play "a legit quarter" in Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

In terms of Saturday's contest, Pierce wouldn't announce a starter, suggesting that each QB would get a similar level of opportunity to make their case for depth chart slotting. "Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn't matter. (They will) get hopefully an equal amount of snaps and opportunity to showcase," according to Pierce, who also indicated Monday via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com that he doesn't "think we can sit there and say somebody's won yet."

Coach Antonio Pierce indicated Monday that he expects both Minshew and Aidan O'Connell to play "a legit quarter" in Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

While both QBs are on track to see work Saturday, Pierce didn't reveal who'll take the first snaps against Minnesota. Though there's been some speculation of late that Minshew has a slight upper hand in the Raiders' signal-caller battle, for his part Pierce notes via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com that he doesn't think "we can sit there and say somebody's won yet." With the ongoing competition in mind ahead of Saturday's contest, Pierce said, "Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn't matter. [They will] get hopefully an equal amount of snaps and opportunity to showcase."