NFL Player News

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Purdy (elbow) is "right on pace" with his recovery and is throwing three times a week, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Purdy resumed throwing last week and did some running on the side field during the first day of San Francisco's mandatory minicamp Tuesday. Sam Darnold and Trey Lance will continue to split first-team reps while Purdy rehabs from offseason UCL surgery, but the Iowa State product remains the frontrunner to claim a starting spot when he's back to 100 percent.

Cunningham, who joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent this spring, has been seeing work at wide receiver during OTAs, Nick O'Malley of masslive.com reports.

The Patriots reportedly signed Cunningham to a deal with $200,000 guaranteed, the most the team has ever spent on an undrafted player. During his college career at Louisville, Cunningham (who New England lists at 6-0, 188 pounds) played quarterback, but with Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley already in the team's signal-caller mix, the rookie's versatility could be his ticket to securing a roster spot this coming season.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers (calf) won't participate in 11-on-11 drills Tuesday, but the veteran quarterback is cleared to do everything else, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

The Jets continue to monitor a minor calf strain that Rodgers suffered at the beginning of OTAs, but there hasn't been any indication it'll impact the quarterback's availability for training camp. Don't be surprised if Rodgers takes it easy for the remainder of New York's OTAs.

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.