NFL Player News

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.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Thursday that Thompson-Robinson will start Saturday's exhibition game against the Vikings, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Thompson-Robinson will get a chance to make a case for his spot on the 53-man roster Saturday, with Deshaun Watson not slated for on-field reps until Cleveland's preseason finale. Jameis Winston is solidified as the No. 2 option behind Watson, which leaves Thompson-Robinson competing against Tyler Huntley for the No. 3 gig.

Brissett is expected to play the first quarter of Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles, Albert Breer of SI.com reports.

After Brissett gets his reps in versus Philadelphia, look for Drake Maye to play the second quarter and part of the third, followed by Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe. At this stage, Brissett profiles as the Patriots' presumed starting QB ahead of Week 1.

Stafford (hamstring) is not present for Thursday's walkthrough practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

A Rams spokesperson reiterated that Stafford was removed from practice Wednesday at roughly the halfway point for 'precautionary' reasons due to hamstring tightness. Neither Stafford nor backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are expected to play in any of Los Angeles' preseason games, so Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn figure to dominate reps during Saturday's exhibition matchup against the Chargers. It seems the Rams are simply playing it safe with Stafford's health, but given his injury history, it will be a relief to fantasy managers if the 36-year-old signal-caller is able to retake the field without missing much more time.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday that Russell Wilson will start Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, leaving Fields in position to enter the contest second, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin said he expects Pittsburgh's starters to play roughly four series Saturday, per Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com, which could leave Fields to work with the second-team offense. Though Wilson will start in his preseason debut and still seems to be atop the quarterback depth chart, Fields remains part of an ongoing competition under center. Pryor reports that Fields opened Thursday's practice with the first-team offense. After fumbling twice versus the Texans last week, it will benefit Fields if he's able to play mistake-free football against Buffalo on Saturday.