NFL Player News

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday that Brissett is still in the running for the starting job, even though Sam Howell has taken all the first-team reps this offseason, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

Last year, Brissett served as the Browns' starting quarterback while Deshaun Watson was suspended. The former completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,608 yards and a 12:6 TD:INT across 11 starts. He also rushed 47 times for 238 yards and two scores during that stretch. While Rivera may publicly call it an open competition, it sounds like the Commanders are going to give Howell every chance to prove himself before moving on to Brissett. It's a role the veteran has occupied numerous times during his seven-year career, so he should be ready to step up if called upon.

Howell has taken all the first-team reps this offseason, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

While Howell has the early lead to begin 2023 as a starter, coach Ron Rivera is still publicly calling it an open competition between the second-year quarterback and veteran Jacoby Brissett. Howell had a strong preseason as a rookie but posted mixed results in his lone regular-season start against the Cowboys in Week 18. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 169 yards, a touchdown and an interception while rushing five times for 35 yards and an additional score. If he can hold onto the starting job, Howell's mobility combined with Washington's talented wideout corps could make the 2022 fifth-round pick an intriguing option late in fantasy drafts.

McCoy (elbow) has been a full participant at OTAs, Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports reports.

McCoy injured his elbow last season and needed offseason surgery. He's been getting the bulk of the first-team reps this spring with Kyler Murray still recovering from his torn ACL. There's a good chance McCoy opens the year as Arizona's starter, as the prospect of Murray being available Week 1 is iffy.

Herbert (shoulder) plans to participate in 7-on-7 drills this week at OTAs, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Herbert underwent surgery on the labrum in his left shoulder following the 2022 campaign and resumed throwing in early May. He's set to take another step forward in his rehab this week, as he'll participate in team drills for the first time this offseason, and he remains on pace to be fully healthy by training camp. A lingering rib issue for Herbert coupled with injuries to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams made for a disappointing 2022 for the Chargers offense, but the quarterback got a new offensive coordinator (Kellen Moore) and a new wideout (Quentin Johnston) this offseason, so there's optimism Herbert can bounce back in 2023.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday that "the early returns are really good" after Purdy (elbow) resumed throwing this week, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Trey Lance and Sam Darnold will likely take most of the practice reps this spring and possibly into training camp, but both Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have suggested Purdy is the favorite to top the depth chart once healthy, with Lynch referring to the Iowa State product as the "leader in the clubhouse" on two occasions. Coming back from offseason UCL surgery, Purdy reportedly is a bit ahead of schedule and could be ready in time for Week 1 of his second NFL season.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers (calf) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's OTAs session, but the team is hopeful that the quarterback will practice fully Friday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Saleh said that Rodgers, who suffered a strained calf last week, is "fine," per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The Jets don't appear worried about the status of the veteran quarterback, which reinforces the belief that he's simply dealing with a minor injury. Saleh said Rodgers will "for sure" be back in full next week, according to Cimini.

Garoppolo's three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders contains a clause that would allow Las Vegas to release him without penalty if he's unable to pass a physical due to his surgically repaired foot, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic report.

Garoppolo fractured his left foot while playing with the 49ers in early December, then underwent surgery in March, shortly after he finalized his contract with Las Vegas. According to a waiver and release clause in the deal, Garoppolo acknowledged the risk of further injury while continuing to play upon his return from surgery, and he also waived any responsibility on the part of the Raiders, who can terminate his contract with no further obligation or financial ramifications. The waiver becomes null and void if Garoppolo passes a physical at any point during the 2023 season, however. While the terms of the deal give the Raiders an easy out to move on from Garoppolo if his recovery doesn't proceed as anticipated, the team won't have much in the way of appealing alternatives. The Raiders are left with 37-year-old journeyman Brian Hoyer, fourth-round rookie Aidan O'Connell and 2022 undrafted free agent Chase Garbers as the other signal-callers on the roster. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco are the most experienced options among an uninspiring crop of quarterbacks on the free-agent market.

Jackson said Thursday that he expects "less running and more throwing" under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reports.

It's not exactly a secret, after the Ravens parted ways with long-time, run-first OC Greg Roman and added WRs Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers. The new coordinator, Monken, spent four seasons with Tampa Bay (2016-18) and Cleveland (2019) in the same role and oversaw offenses that attempted 36.1, 37.8, 39.1 and 33.7 passes per game (Jackson's never averaged more than 31.8). Monken then opened up UGA's offense, culminating last year with QB Stetson Bennett compiling 4,128 passing yards, 27 pass TDs and 10 rushing TDs. The Ravens hope Monken can help guide Jackson from good to great as a passer, but it might mean fewer of the rush attempts that fantasy managers find so valuable. The 26-year-old QB completed 66.1 percent of his throws for 7.8 YPA and a league-high 9.0 percent TD rate back in 2019, so it isn't out of the question to make up for a dip in rushing stats with improvements in both passing volume and efficiency. Jackson is in Baltimore for the long haul after his contract saga ended at the end of April with a five-year, $260 million agreement.

Minshew shared first-team reps with Anthony Richardson on Thursday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Shane Steichen told reporters it was an important step in the Colts' evaluation of Richardson to see him with the first-stringers, adding that the fourth overall pick "made some big plays, some next-level stuff" during Thursday's practice. Minshew may still end up getting more snaps with the starters this spring, but he's got a challenge on his hands to stay atop the depth chart throughout the summer and into Week 1.

Wilson (knee) is participating in OTAs and said he feels "leaner and meaner" after losing some weight in the offseason, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Fitness was the least of his problems last year, but it's at least good to hear Wilson is healthy and feeling strong after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee this winter. The Denver offense has a bunch of other players coming back from more serious injuries/surgeries, namely RB Javonte Williams (ACL), LT Garret Bolles (broken leg) and WRs Tim Patrick (ACL) and KJ Hamler (torn pectoral). Even so, Wilson should be set up better under new coach Sean Payton than he was last year with Nathaniel Hackett, aided by pricey additions at left guard (Ben Powers) and right tackle (Mike McGlinchey) and a second-round pick at wide receiver (Marvin Mims). Any issues with the knee didn't seem to impact Wilson's mobility much last year, as a 55-277-3 rushing line in 15 games was an improvement from 43-183-2 in 14 games his final season in Seattle.