NFL Player News

Howell will start Saturday's preseason game at Baltimore, Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Carson Wentz, the Commanders' presumed starter for 2022, will not play. Howell was Washington's leading passer in Week 2 of the preseason at Kansas City despite completing just 55.6 percent of his passes, and he could solidify a spot on the initial 53-man roster with a sound performance Saturday. The Commanders might also opt to keep three quarterbacks though, especially with Wentz's lengthy injury history in mind.

Tagovailoa is available to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Eagles, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

While Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) isn't in line to play in the contest, fellow WR Tyreek Hill is available, but if Tagovailoa does indeed play Saturday, we'd expect his reps to be capped.

Willis is expected to start Saturday's preseason contest against the Cardinals, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

This shouldn't come as a surprise, as the Titans have been cautious with incumbent starter Ryan Tannehill. The rookie third-round pick has had an up-and-down preseason, showing impressive flashes of talent during both of the preseason games to date while struggling with pocket awareness. Expect Willis to play a substantial amount in the first half as the Titans continue to evaluate their mobile QB.

Crum was waived by the Chiefs on Saturday.

The emergence of Shane Buechele as a quality third quarterback ultimately bumped Crum off the roster. The undrafted rookie free agent will have to pass through waivers before he might rejoin the team's practice squad.

Darnold is expected to be out 4-to-6 weeks after reportedly suffering a high-ankle sprain in Friday's preseason contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Darnold appeared to have his ankle rolled up on during Friday's preseason game against the Bills, and the 25-year-old, who lost the starting quarterback job to Baker Mayfield earlier in the week, came away from the injury with a high-ankle sprain. With Matt Corral (foot) also sidelined for an extended period of time, P.J. Walker is expected to back up Mayfield for however long Darnold is out.

Grier completed 12 of 22 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks. He also gained 26 yards on five carries.

The 2019 third-round pick showed off his athleticism working behind a patchwork offensive line, and Grier connected with Simi Fehoko and Brandon Smith on red-zone TDs in the second and third quarters. Cooper Rush got the start for the Cowboys and played only one series, but Grier may not have done enough to supplant him as the No. 2 QB behind Dak Prescott.

Lock will begin the 2022 season as the Seahawks' backup quarterback after coach Pete Carroll announced Geno Smith as the team's Week 1 starter following Friday's preseason loss at Dallas, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Lock only had two opportunities during exhibition season due to a positive test for COVID-19, missing preseason Week 2 in the process. But he was up and down in his two chances, completing 24 of 39 passes for 273 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, rushing three times for seven yards and taking two sacks in close to six quarters of action. Ultimately, Smith's experience in the system (and likely his availability) won out in the end, and Lock now will be holding a clipboard to kick off his first year in Seattle.

Head coach Pete Carroll announced Friday that Smith will start at quarterback Week 1 against Denver, Liz Matthews of USA Today reports. Smith was 3-for-6 passing for 43 yards and led the Seahawks to a field goal in his lone series in Friday's preseason loss to Dallas.

Smith got the first QB reps in all three preseason games and beat out Drew Lock to take over the starting job vacated by the offseason trade of Russell Wilson. Smith likely will need to play well early in the season to keep the job, however.

Mayfield completed nine of 15 passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's preseason win over the Bills.

Mayfield led four offensive drives for the team and had mixed results, barely moving the team on two occasions but also leading two touchdown drives. He was most impressive on a 12-play, 53-yard march midway through the first quarter, which was highlighted by completions of 21 and 15 yards and capped by a two-yard touchdown toss to D'Onta Foreman. Mayfield played in two of Carolina's three preseason games and completed 13 of 22 passes for 134 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He's set to draw the start against Cleveland -- his former team -- in Week 1.

Jones completed nine of 13 passes for 71 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Patriots' 23-6 preseason loss to the Raiders on Friday night. He also rushed once for 13 yards.

Jones was expected to see minimal playing time, but he ended up on the field for the Patriots' first four drives. The second-year signal-caller and his teammates didn't get much done on the first three possessions -- which likely played a part in Jones coming back out for a fourth -- but he was able to help lead an 11-play, 46-yard march that culminated in a field goal on his final series of the game. Jones will now turn his attention to a big Week 1 AFC East showdown against the Dolphins on the road Sept. 11.