NFL Player News

Richardson will open the regular season as the Colts' starting quarterback, head coach Shane Steichen announced Tuesday.

Richardson will carry his preseason starting duties into Week 1, relegating Gardner Minshew, a capable veteran, to backup and mentorship duties. Adapting to the NFL may not happen quickly for Richardson due to his limited starting experience in college, but his elite athleticism and multidimensional skill set could translate for fantasy purposes without much delay. In his first preseason start against the Bills, Richardson completed seven of 12 pass attempts for 67 yards and rushed twice for seven yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will likely get another chance to showcase his talents in Saturday's exhibition matchup with the Bears.

Purdy (elbow) will no longer require scheduled off days during weekly practices as he gears up to start the Sept. 10 regular-season opener versus the Steelers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The second-year quarterback looks as though he'll ramp up his physical activity just in time for Week 1, which falls within the time frame the 49ers originally provided for his recovery from elbow surgery. Coach Kyle Shanahan even mentioned Monday that Purdy could play in one of the 49ers' final two preseason games, the first of which comes against the Broncos on Saturday. Seeing him enter an exhibition game would ease any health concerns fantasy managers may have for the 23-year-old heading into draft season. Purdy returns to a 49ers offense with explosive weapons both in the backfield and in the passing game.

Haener went 10-for-17 passing for 105 yards and one touchdown to one interception in Sunday's 26-24 preseason victory over Kansas City.

Haener played the entire second half alongside most of the Saints' second- and third-team offensive players. The fourth-round rookie got off to a rough start with three straight incompletions on his first two offensive series, including an interception when he overthrew Saints wideout James Washington near midfield. Haener did bounce back with a seven-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown pass to running back Ellis Merriweather, pulling New Orleans within one point at just under one and a half minutes remaining. Overall, Haener performed alright given the noticeable struggles from the Saints' reserve offensive line, though it seems unlikely that he'll push veteran Jameis Winston for the No. 2 quarterback spot anytime soon.

According to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com, Winston's stock is trending down after he completed 11 of 13 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-24 preseason win versus the Chiefs.

Winston took the field to begin the Saints' second offensive series, and he wound up evenly splitting snaps (31) with rookie signal-caller Jake Haener. The 29-year-old backup started out very clean, including when, just four plays after being inserted into the game, he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout A.T. Perry near the goal line. However, Winston looked to struggle with defensive pressure while working with New Orleans' second-team offensive line for most of the second quarter. He wound up being sacked three times, the last of which pushed the Saints out of field-goal range near the end of the first half. Winston still outperformed fourth-round rookie Haener, who completed 10 of 17 passes for one score and a pick in the second half, so the veteran shouldn't be in jeopardy of losing the No. 2 quarterback role anytime soon.

Browning is expected to play the entire second half of Friday's preseason game against Atlanta, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Browning started the Bengals' preseason opener against the Packers and played the entire first half, while Trevor Siemian handled the second half. The two quarterbacks are expected to reverse roles for Cincinnati's second exhibition as they continue to compete for the top backup spot behind Joe Burrow, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury but will likely be available for the regular season.

Siemian is expected to start Friday's preseason game versus Atlanta, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Jake Browning started the Bengals' preseason opener versus the Packers and played the entire first half, while Siemian handled the second half. The two quarterbacks will simply reverse roles Friday, but they figure to see the same amount of snaps. Joe Burrow (calf) is expected to be healthy by Week 1, so Browning and Siemian are competing for the top backup spot, with the former appearing to have the upper hand thus far in training camp.

Keenum didn't finish Saturday's practice and was not on the field for Sunday's session, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports. The quarterback was seen with a sleeve on his left leg at the end of practice.

This development sheds light as to why Houston signed quarterback E.J. Perry on Sunday. Perry can operate as a third QB while Keenum is unavailable.

Boyle completed nine of 10 passes for 84 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over Carolina.

Boyle played the entire second half after Zach Wilson threw for 123 yards and one touchdown in the first half. After being picked off on his first drive in the game, Boyle led touchdown drives capped by scores of five and four yards, respectively, to tight ends E.J. Jenkins and Zack Kuntz. Boyle isn't a threat to surpass Aaron Rodgers or Wilson on the depth chart, but after New York released Chris Streveler earlier in the week, there's nobody left to challenge Boyle for the third-string quarterback spot, either.

O'Connell completed 15 of 18 pass attempts for 141 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers in Sunday's 34-7 preseason win over San Francisco.

O'Connell got the starting nod with the veterans atop Las Vegas' QB depth chart -- Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer -- sitting out this exhibition game. The fourth-round selection did not look like a rookie in a tough matchup, albeit against the 49ers' B-squad of defenders. The 25-year-old played four years at Purdue, so he has more seasoning than most rookie quarterbacks. O'Connell should get plenty of run in the Raiders' next preseason tilt against the Rams on Saturday.

Darnold completed five of his eight pass attempts for 84 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers while playing the third quarter of Sunday's 34-7 preseason loss to Las Vegas.

Darnold started the second half behind Trey Lance as promised by head coach Kyle Shanahan, but he gave the former just one quarter of playing time compared to Lance's full half. Darnold, the veteran of this young QB room, performed well in his brief appearance, firing several crisp passes on a nine-play drive to open the second half that ended with Darnold being stuffed on a sneak attempt on fourth down. With both quarterbacks performing well Sunday, the competition for whom will back up Brock Purdy (elbow) continues with a matchup against the Rams on Saturday.