NFL Player News

Darnold will be the first-team quarterback when Minnesota begins training camp in late July, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert reports.

Darnold took all the first-team reps at June minicamp and reportedly looked sharper than 10th overall draft pick J.J. McCarthy. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Darnold will remain the top QB for the start of training camp, but O'Connell cautioned that it's one of the many positions at which he anticipates competition later this summer.

Allen said Tuesday that he's working on improving his throwing motion this offseason, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Allen noted that the changes have felt really good at times and not so good at others. He injured his right shoulder Week 6 last season but still managed to play every game for a fifth straight year, and he confirmed in late January that he wouldn't need surgery. Some of what he's working on this offseason is returning to his pre-injury mechanics after the shoulder discomfort led to a lower, wider motion in 2023. The other big change will come in his receiving corps, with Khalil Shakir the only wideout on the roster that's ever caught a pass from Allen. The Bills parted ways with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason and brought in Curtis Samuel, second-round pick Keon Coleman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool and Mack Hollins. Meanwhile, Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady will have continuity at running back (James Cook, Ty Johnson), tight end (Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox) and along the offensive line (four of five starters returning).

Burrow (wrist) said Tuesday that he'll be ready for the start of the season but doesn't want to put a percentage on his rehab progress, Charlie Clifford of WLWT News 5 Cincinnati reports.

Burrow hinted at a more cautious approach with his surgically repaired right wrist than he had with past injuries, noting that he should have "taken more time" after he suffered a calf injury last summer. He averaged just 182 passing yards and 0.5 touchdowns over the first four weeks of the season, but he rebounded in a big way with averages of 296 yards and 2.4 touchdowns over the next five games before he suffered the season-ending wrist injury Week 11. He had surgery Nov. 27 to repair a torn ligament in his wrist, and by early May, he was cleared for everything besides taking contact. Burrow has been lifting weights for more than three months and throwing footballs for more than a month, but he doesn't sound like he'll push himself too hard this summer, at least not until training camp opens in late July.

Love said Tuesday that he's optimistic he and the Packers will agree to terms on a new contract extension before the start of training camp July 22, Matt Schneidmanof The Athletic reports.

Love, who has participated in the entirety of Green Bay's offseason program, didn't go into detail about his ongoing contract negotiations, but he did answer "yes" when asked whether he felt a deal would be finalized before camp. The 2020 first-round pick is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign and entering the final year of his current contract, and while his attendance has been crucial for a young offense now working to take the next step, it's possible that Love would refuse to suit up for preseason action if he were still without a long-term deal come August. By the sound of things, though, he and the Packers may not be far apart in negotiations.

Thompson-Robinson (hip) participated in 7-on-7 drills Tuesday, but he is still limited in practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Thompson-Robinson is still not fully cleared from a hip subluxation suffered during the Browns' Week 15 win over the Texans. There was hope he'd be cleared in time for mandatory minicamp, which began Monday, but it does appear the UCLA product is at least making progress in his recovery. DTR is expected to compete with Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley for the top backup role behind Deshaun Watson (shoulder).

Jones (knee) isn't participating in 11-on-11 drills during June minicamp but said Tuesday that he expects to be ready for the first day of training camp, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Jones said his right knee feels "really good" coming off ACL surgery, and that his cuts now feel cleaner than they did earlier this spring. Back in OTAs, Jones managed to shed his knee brace and take part in some 7-on-7 drills, so by all indications his progress has been encouraging. The Giants remain committed to the 2019 first-round pick as their starting quarterback, with Drew Lock positioned in a clear backup role, but this could well be a make-or-break season for Jones.

Watson (shoulder) is throwing passes in 7-on-7 drills Tuesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

It's the first time Watson has thrown passes in 7-on-7s during the offseason, making this a tangible step forward on the first day of June minicamp. He seems to be on track for 11-on-11s at the start of training camp in late July, although it's not a guarantee given that the Browns seem inclined toward caution with his recovery. Watson had surgery last November to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder -- an uncommon injury without any known precedent among NFL quarterbacks. He seems to be progressing as the Browns had hoped, with Petrak noting that Watson's throwing velocity looked good during Tuesday's practice.

Jones (knee) won't do team drills at June minicamp but may be ready by training camp, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Updates this spring suggest Jones' recovery is coming along well, with the QB saying in late May that he anticipates starting Week 1. He participated in some 7-on-7 drills at OTAs and has already shed his knee brace during workouts. For now, Drew Lock will continue taking most of the first-team QB reps in 11-on-11s.

Rodgers (Achilles) is missing June minicamp for an unspecified event, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The absence technically is unexcused, though Rodgers informed the Jets well ahead of time. That means he can be fined by the team, which apparently is a price he's willing to pay to attend his event. Head coach Robert Saleh didn't seem bothered by the absence, perhaps because Rodgers was at a number of voluntary practices this spring. The 40-year-old quarterback seems to have avoided setbacks in his recovery from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered last September and should be a full participant for the start of training camp in late July.

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted Tuesday that Brissett has had an "exceptional spring" while showing "great command of the offense," Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

While Drake Maye, who the team selected third overall in April's draft, has made a favorable impression on New England's coaching staff to date, Van Pelt reiterated that at this time, Brissett remains the starter as next week's mandatory minicamp approaches. Though Maye is destined to rise to the top of the depth chart down the road, Van Pelt has stressed that there's no timetable for that eventuality, noting that "it's a process. It's a marathon. We're going to take our time and do it the right way." In the meantime, Brissett figures to continue to handle the bulk of first-team practice reps followed by Maye, with Bailey Zappe and rookie Joe Milton also in the Patriots' signal-caller mix.