NFL Player News

Richardson and Gardner Minshew are splitting first-team reps in 7-on-7s Thursday, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

The Colts seem open to starting Richardson as soon as Week 1 if he looks ready, rather than defaulting to Minshew's experience and track record of competence. The fourth overall pick is miles ahead of his veteran counterpart (and most other pro QBs) when it comes to physical traits, combining a strong arm with wide-receiver speed (4.44 40) and linebacker size (6-4, 244). Even if he doesn't start the season opener, Richardson will take the field at some point during his rookie year.

Hoyer is the favorite to win the backup job to Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) and will be part of the team's quarterback rotation at OTAs, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Hoyer signed a two-year deal with the Raiders in April with the expectation that he would earn the backup job. It's a role that could be fairly significant if Garoppolo is not recovered from foot surgery by Week 1, although he is expected to be. Hoyer played under head coach Josh McDaniels in New England and should be familiar with the team's offense.

Garoppolo had foot surgery in March, shortly after signing with the Raiders, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic report.

Coach Josh McDaniels didn't provide a timeline or details, though he told reporters Garoppolo's absence from spring practices was expected. The Raiders apparently discovered that the QB needed surgery during a physical exam, after he'd avoided going under the knife in December when he suffered the left foot fracture. The 31-year-old never returned from the injury last season but might've been able to do so had the 49ers won one more game and reached the Super Bowl. His new team is confident Garoppolo will be ready for Week 1, and it helps that both he and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer have played in McDaniels' offenses before.

Garoppolo (foot) hasn't been practicing and may be out until training camp, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Coach Josh McDaniels didn't say if Garoppolo had offseason surgery but did suggest that the quarterback's absence from OTA practices isn't any surprise to his new team, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic. While he avoided surgery on a broken left foot after suffering the injury in December, the 31-year-old never returned to action during the Niners' deep playoff run before signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Raiders in March. Brian Hoyer figures to get most of the first-team reps with Garoppolo not practicing, backed up by rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell and 2022 UDFA Chase Garbers.

Mahomes (ankle) has been participating in the first week of OTAs, PJ Green of Fox 4 Kansas City reports.

Mahomes played through the injury last winter and avoided surgery after the Super Bowl, but he revealed in mid-April that his ankle still wasn't quite back at full strength. Per Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid used the term "100 percent" when discussing Mahomes' health Wednesday, noting that the quarterback is "going after it" and "doing a great job" working with his teammates. There's been some change to the wideout room for a second straight offseason, with JuJu Smith-Schuster moving elsewhere and the Chiefs adding second-round pick Rashee Rice and veteran Richie James. The biggest change is at offensive tackle, where veterans Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor were signed to replace Orlando Brown (Bengals) and Andrew Wylie (Commanders). It'll likely be a downgrade on the blindside with Smith replacing Brown, but Taylor is coming off a big year for Jacksonville and received the largest contract of the three this offseason despite being a right tackle. It's still a great setup for Mahomes, aided by an elite interior offensive line and future Hall of Famers at head coach and tight end.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Purdy (elbow) will start a throwing program next week, NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti reports.

It's all part of Purdy's 12-week plan, and he remains on track to be ready for Week 1 after tearing his UCL in a playoff loss to the Eagles back in January. Trey Lance has been handling all of the first-team reps at OTAs this week, but Sam Darnold is expected to start mixing into the equation at some point this offseason. Purdy remains the favorite to open the year as San Francisco's starter.

Rodgers suffered a strained calf in Tuesday's practice, CBS Sports' Josina Anderson reports.

Rodgers' injury was initially reported as an ankle issue, but it's actually to his calf. According to Anderson, the injury is considered minor, and the veteran quarterback shouldn't miss much time. This doesn't seem like it will affect Rodgers' availability for training camp, but we might see the Jets dial him back for the remainder of OTAs.

Rodgers suffered an apparent ankle injury at Tuesday's OTA session and didn't participate in team drills, ESPN's Rich Cimini reports.

Rodgers appeared to tweak his ankle in warmups prior to practice and was seen getting checked by the training staff. He ended up sitting out the rest of the day but did remain on the sideline, suggesting his absence might have been more precautionary than anything else. It'll be interesting to see if Rodgers is back out there later this week. Either way, this doesn't have the sound of a long-term issue.

Coach DeMeco Ryans suggested Tuesday that he's in no rush to name a starting quarterback, though Stroud has done an "excellent job" so far, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Davis Mills was the first QB through drills at OTAs on Tuesday, followed by Stroud and then Case Keenum. The No. 2 overall pick in 2023 figures to make starts as a rookie, but he won't necessarily be under center Week 1 if he struggles during the offseason program. Ryans said a starter won't be determined until training camp.

The Texans aren't interested in trading Mills, who was the first quarterback through drills Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's a crowded QB room with Mills (26 career starts) joined by 35-year-old Case Keenum (64 starts) and 2023 second overall pick C.J. Stroud. It's worth noting that the rookie was second through drills (ahead of Keenum) at the first day of OTAs. There's little question Stroud will take snaps this year, but it is possible new coach DeMeco Ryans gives Mills a chance to keep his starting job for at least the early portion of the season.