NFL Player News

Howard (head) is being evaluated for a potential concussion after Thursday's preseason finale against the Bills, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Howard played the entire first half, completing nine of his 15 pass attempts for 69 yards and two touchdowns with just one interception. The quarterback also took three sacks for 22 yards before exiting the game at the half. With Sunday's cutdown approaching, Drew Allar's nine of 18 for 88 yards and no touchdowns, picks or sacks may not have inspired much confidence either. The No. 3 role behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph may default to Allar if Howard is indeed suffering from a significant head injury.

Smith will not play in Friday's preseason finale against the Giants, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Smith and most of the Jets' starters will sit out Friday's contest as the team prepares for Week 1 against the Titans on Sunday, Sept. 13. The quarterback played the opening drive of the team's preseason win over Pittsburgh on Aug. 21, completing all seven of his passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. That will end up being the only action he sees during the preseason, and Week 1 will be his first regular-season start with the Jets since 2016.

Milroe is going to start and play the entire preseason game Friday against the Chiefs, Corbin K. Smith of Emerald City Spectrum reports.

The second-year pro is firmly entrenched as the third quarterback behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock, so his status for the final preseason contest likely has more to do with developmental reps than anything else. Milroe has struggled so far in the preseason, going 11 for 19 for 88 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Rodgers isn't in uniform for Thursday's preseason contest at Buffalo, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Rodgers thus won't get any in-game reps with Pittsburgh's top wide receiver duo of DK Metcalf (hamstring) and Michael Pittman (hamstring) ahead of the regular season. Because both Metcalf and Pittman returned to the field Monday, the trio will continue to build a rapport during practices in advance of a Week 1 matchup with the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said McCarthy won't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but the Vikings are hopeful he'll start Friday's preseason contest at Denver, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

McCarthy came out of Saturday's exhibition loss to the Ravens with an undisclosed injury, which O'Connell clarified Wednesday. The team wants McCarthy to be the first QB under center in Friday's preseason finale, but Minnesota will continue to monitor whether that's possible for the third-year pro, per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Wednesday's absence in the form of rest is a means to that end.

Penix (knee) won't play in Friday's preseason game in Miami, but he believes he'll be available for a Week 1 road matchup with the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 13, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Penix was cleared for team drills as of Saturday, but coach Kevin Stefanski won't allow the third-year pro to suit up with only three such practices under his belt. Penix also told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network that it's "too soon" to play in a game, but he thinks he'll be capable both physically and mentally to be the starter if Stefanski names him the No. 1 over competitor Tua Tagovailoa. Penix is completing the final stages of his recovery from the torn ACL he sustained in his left knee in Week 11 of last season.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Tagovailoa will start Friday's preseason game at Miami, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Fellow QB Michael Penix recently was cleared for team drills in practice as he continues to ramp up his activity level following last season's torn ACL. Stefanski relayed that Penix won't play preseason Week 3, which will give Tagovailoa another chance to stake a claim to the Falcons' starting quarterback gig. Stefanski also told Kendall that he'll name a starter "whenever they tell me I have to," so the competition appears to be a toss-up at the moment.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Rourke (ribs) has a chance to return to the field next week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Rourke suffered three broken ribs during San Francisco's preseason opener versus the Titans, but it seems like the injury may not keep the quarterback on the sidelines much longer. Until Rourke is healthy again, Adrian Martinez still projects as the 49ers' third signal-caller behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.

Bagent (hamstring) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Bagent was sidelined last week due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the Bears' preseason opener against the Browns. The backup quarterback is back in action and has a good chance to participate in Saturday's preseason finale against the Titans.

Richardson will start the Colts' preseason finale against the Lions, Around the NFL reports.

Indianapolis will give Richardson the nod for the preseason finale after Riley Leonard handled the bulk of the work in the team's second preseason contest. Richardson was relatively sharp but still had turnover issues in the preseason opener before getting minimal work the following week. Indianapolis' battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot still seems undecided as the regular season draws near.