NFL Player News

Howard completed 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Friday's 17-0 preseason loss to the Jets.

Howard played the first half of Friday's shutout loss and didn't help his case to win the top backup job. Drew Allar didn't produce any points after halftime, either, so Friday's big winner in the competition to back up Aaron Rodgers was probably Mason Rudolph, who was idle alongside Rodgers. Howard's pair of interceptions were especially concerning considering they came against a Jets defense that didn't muster a single interception during the entire 2025 regular season. Both Howard and Allar will likely get a chance at redemption in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bills.

Young completed five of six passes for 49 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason win over the Jaguars.

The Panthers played their starters for the first quarter while their opposition didn't, and it paid off when Young led a scoring drive on his second and final possession, capped by a one-yard TD plunge by Jonathon Brooks. That could be Young's last tune-up of the preseason, as Carolina plays one more exhibition game next Friday against Houston before turning its attention to Week 1 and the Bears.

Smith completed all seven of his pass attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 17-0 preseason win over the Steelers.

After sitting out the preseason opener due to a sore ankle, Smith saw the first game action of his second stint with the Jets. He played only the opening drive but was sharp during his brief time in the game, completing all seven of his passes to six different targets, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Woods. Smith looks like he's in midseason form already, so it remains to be seen if the veteran QB will get any action in next Friday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Lance completed 10 of 16 passes for 73 yards while rushing twice for 42 yards in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers.

Lance entered the game on the second drive, taking over for Justin Herbert. The quarterback played a rather safe and uneventful half, not reaching the end zone but also not taking any sacks or turning the ball over. The Chargers scored just three points in the half, off the back of a 21-yard Cameron Dicker field goal. Despite the lackluster day, Lance will likely see a similar snap share in next Thursday's preseason game against the Rams.

Lawrence won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Lawrence also sat out the Jaguars' exhibition opener this past Saturday, giving him just one more chance for action next Friday versus the Buccaneers ahead of Week 1. In Lawrence's stead, Nick Mullens, Carter Bradley and Joey Aguilar will be the available quarterbacks for Jacksonville's offense.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak indicated Thursday that he is not yet ready to name a starting quarterback (between Kirk Cousins and Mendoza) ahead of Week 1, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.

On that subject, Kubiak noted "we got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job...it should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." To this point, the signs have been pointing to Cousins opening the regular season as the starter, and he was among his team's key players who watched Thursday's preseason game against the Texans from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Mendoza played the entire first half of the contest, completing eight of 15 passes for 86 yards and an interception on five drives. It remains to be seen when Kubiak will announce the Raiders' starting signal-caller, but given where Mendoza was drafted, it's assumed that the Indiana product will rise to the top of the Raiders' depth chart eventually, though that ascent seems likely to follow a stint as Cousins' understudy.

Herbert completed one of two passes for nine yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Chargers' 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

As expected, Herbert and the rest of the Chargers' offensive starters opened Thursday's game. However, Los Angeles traveled only eight yards on three plays before punting, and Herbert's one completion came to offseason addition Charlie Kolar. The talented signal-caller once again enters the new season with elevated expectations following back-to-back 11-6 campaigns, and with a bevy of young pass-catching talent surrounding him, as well as veteran newcomer David Njoku.

Purdy completed four of six passes for 29 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed once for three yards in the 49ers' 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday night.

Purdy was in on San Francisco's first possession and led the 49ers on a 12-play, 39-yard march where he recorded his first completion to Deebo Samuel before connecting on three occasions with rookie second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling later in the drive. Purdy gave way to Mac Jones after that point, and given the former's checkered recent injury history, Thursday's game action is likely the last he'll see prior to a Week 1 showdown with the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Coach Klint Kubiak refused to name Cousins as the Raiders' starting quarterback following Thursday night's preseason game against the Texans, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

All signs continue to point to Cousins being under center for the Raiders in Week 1 against the Dolphins. As Cousins was given the night off with a host of other presumed starters, No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza was in uniform and had a night to forget, as he completed just eight of 15 passes for 86 yards (5.7 YPA), including a pick-six on his first series.

Stroud completed four of six passes for 27 yards in Thursday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Raiders.

Stroud got the start in Houston's second preseason game after sitting out the opener. He played only one possession but led a touchdown drive, which was capped by a 20-yard Woody Marks touchdown run. Despite some struggles down the stretch last season, Stroud retains his role as the starting quarterback for a Texans offense that will be without second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) in 2026.