NFL Player News

Brissett is slated to open the coming season as Washington's No. 2 QB, with coach Ron Rivera having named Sam Howell as the team's starter Friday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Though Howell had been in a competition with Brissett since the start of OTAs, the report notes that the 2022 fifth-rounder had been taking almost all of the team's starting reps in practice, so the decision is not a surprising one. For his part, Brissett, who has 48 career NFL starts under his belt, provides the Commanders with a reliable insurance policy in the event that Howell suffers any injuries or struggles at all during the 2023 campaign.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Darnold will play during the first half ahead of Trey Lance on Saturday, with the latter running the backup offense following halftime against the Broncos, Josh Dubow of the Associated Press reports.

Shanahan also hinted at a possible return for starter Brock Purdy (elbow), but he would only play for a drive or two if active before giving way to the veteran backup. The flip in order between Darnold and Trey Lance confirms that the 49ers' coaching staff views this as an honest competition for the backup job. Darnold threw for 84 yards on eight attempts while only playing the third quarter last week, so the team will get a longer look at 2018's third-overall pick against the Broncos on Saturday.

Coach Ron Rivera announced Friday that Howell has been named the Commanders' starting quarterback, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

Howell will thus draw the nod in the Commanders' regular-season opener against the Cardinals, with veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett set to work as his top backup. In addition to confirming Howell as the team's Week 1 starter, Rivera also relayed that the 2022 fifth-rounder will play in Monday night's preseason contest against the Ravens, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Mariota started the Eagles' 18-18 preseason tie with the Browns on Thursday night and completed nine of 17 passes for 86 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed once for five yards.

Mariota needs game reps in his new team's offense, so his extended stint in Thursday's contest makes sense. The veteran signal-caller was sharper in Philadelphia's preseason opener versus the Ravens while completing seven of 11 passes, but Mariota remains a lock for the role of Jalen Hurts' top backup come the regular season.

Thompson-Robinson completed 13 of 25 passes for 164 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed four times for 18 yards in the Browns' 18-18 preseason tie with the Eagles on Thursday night. He also committed a fumble that he recovered.

The UCLA product was afforded the start and made good use of the opportunity, playing a turnover-free first half during which he only took one sack. Thompson-Robinson immediately led a 12-play, 75-yard drive on the Browns' first possession, only to see it culminate in a John Kelly fumble at the Eagles' three-yard line. Cleveland's next three drives ended in punts, but Thompson-Robinson was able to bounce back and lead the Browns to a pair of field goals before the end of the first half. Thompson-Robinson outperformed his competition for a roster spot, Kellen Mond, after also turning in solid performances during his first two preseason games, so the No. 3 job may be the rookie's to lose going into the team's exhibition finale against the Chiefs on the road on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy and the 49ers starters may play 1-to-2 series during Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

No matter if Purdy takes the field in the team's second exhibition, Shanahan said Sam Darnold will handle most of the quarterback reps in the first half, while Trey Lance will take them after halftime. Purdy passed a milestone in his recovery from March surgery on his right throwing elbow this week, having practice restrictions lifted before logging action in three consecutive sessions. That may be the reason Shanahan is considering giving Purdy some run this weekend, but if it doesn't come to pass the second-year pro likely will be under center for San Francisco's preseason finale Friday, Aug. 25 versus the Chargers.

Coach Matt Eberflus said Thursday that Fields won't play in Saturday's preseason game at Indianapolis, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.

Despite throwing all three of his passes behind the line of scrimmage in the Bears' preseason opener against the Titans, Fields ended up with 129 yards and two touchdowns, a screen pass to DJ Moore that he housed for 62 yards and a checkdown to Khalil Herbert that went for a 56-yard score. After getting some work in two joint practices with the Colts this week, Eberflus is satisfied with where Chicago's No. 1 quarterback stands at the moment. Fields will have one more chance for exhibition action Saturday, Aug. 26 versus the Bills.

Hurts isn't in uniform ahead of Thursday's preseason game against the Browns, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

If the expected outcome occurs and Hurts sits out a second consecutive exhibition, he'll have just one more chance to suit up (next Thursday, Aug. 24 versus the Colts) ahead the season opener. In Hurts' stead, Marcus Mariota likely will get the first chance to lead the Eagles offense, with Ian Book and rookie sixth-round pick Tanner McKee mixing in behind him.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson is slated to start at QB for the Browns in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles with most of the team's starters expected to rest, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Watson logged 12 snaps in last Friday's contest against the Commanders.

Along with Thompson-Robinson, Cabot previously indicated that Kellen Mond will also play Thursday, while Joshua Dobbs will not. The Browns close out their preseason slate Saturday, Aug. 26 against the Chiefs.

Levis exited Thursday's practice early, per Nick Suss of the Tennessean, due to what Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com indicated was a lower-body injury.

As far as Levis' status for Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings, coach Mike Vrabel said that the Titans will have to "see where he's at." If Levis is unavailable for the contest, the team's options would include a full preseason game for Malik Willis versus Minnesota or possibly starter Ryan Tannehill seeing reps as well. Per Suss, Levis has primarily worked as Tennessee's third-string QB during training camp behind Tannehill and Willis.