NFL Player News

Willis completed six of 11 passes for 107 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed five times for 38 yards and a score in the Titans' 23-10 preseason loss to the Ravens on Thursday night.

Willis' night started slowly with three incompletions and a pair of three-play, five-yard drives sandwiched around a one-play possession that ended in a Julius Chestnut fumble. However, the rookie hit his stride from that point, completing six of his last eight attempts, the highlight of those throws a 48-yard completion to Racey McMath early in the second quarter on a drive that culminated in a field goal. Willis' rushing score, a seven-yard jaunt on the prior possession, was also a thing of beauty, as he reversed direction and beat multiple defenders to the end zone with speed and a nifty cutback move to get past the goal line. The high-upside third-round pick did take two sacks and naturally needs plenty more seasoning at the pro level, but in his first half of NFL action, he already flashed the strong arm and elite mobility that endeared him to to the organization. Willis' first opportunity to build on a strong initial performance comes in a preseason home matchup against the Buccaneers a week from Saturday night.

Allen won't play in Saturday's preseason contest versus the Saints after testing positive for COVID-19, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

In a press conference earlier Thursday, coach Lovie Smith told Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com that Allen wouldn't play due to personal reasons, but the quarterback instead has entered COVID-19 protocols. Allen thus will need to stay away from Texans facilities for at least five days. With Allen sidelined, Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel will handle all the QB reps for the team Saturday.

Texans coach Lovie Smith said that Allen will not play in Saturday's preseason game against New Orleans due to personal reasons, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Smith also added that Allen missed practice Thursday for similar undisclosed reasons, though it's still unclear just how long the quarterback is expected to miss this preseason. The 26-year-old signal-caller signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Houston in March after completing 12 of his 19 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown over two games with Washington last season. In Allen's absence, journeyman backup Jeff Driskel figures to see increased run in Saturday's game behind starter Davis Mills.

Coach Lovie Smith said Mills is in line to play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Saints, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

Prior to this statement, Smith also noted backup quarterback Kyle Allen won't play Saturday due to personal reasons, leaving Mills and Jeff Driskel as the only Texans available at the position this weekend. Smith didn't mention how much action Mills can expect to see, but it's safe to say the breakdown of snaps and possessions likely will tilt in Driskel's favor, so as not to risk Mills' health.

Coach Matt Rhule said Thursday that Darnold and Baker Mayfield will each play roughly one series apiece during Saturday's preseason game at Washington, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Darnold and Mayfield are in the midst of a quarterback competition, with the latter seeming to take on more of the first-team reps as training camp went on. That said, Rhule didn't announce who will start Saturday, only noting both players will earn 8-to-10 plays. The Panthers aren't expected to name a Week 1 starter between the two until after their second exhibition Friday, Aug. 19 at New England, at the earliest.

Coach Matt Rhule said Thursday that Mayfield and Sam Darnold will each play roughly one series apiece during Saturday's preseason contest in Washington, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

In particular, Rhule noted each quarterback will get 8-to-10 snaps, but he also didn't state who will be under center first between the duo. Mayfield took on more reps with the first-team offense as training camp progressed, so he may be the favorite to start this weekend. Still, the team isn't expected to name its No. 1 QB for the regular-season opener until after its second exhibition Friday, Aug. 19 in New England, at the earliest.

Mahomes is expected to see action in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Based on coach Andy Reid's comments, after Mahomes works in the first quarter of the contest, the team will turn to Chad Henne in the second quarter, Shane Buechele in the third and finish up with Dustin Crum in the fourth quarter. In that scenario, Mahomes may not rack up a ton of passing attempts, but he will at least have a chance to get in some game reps with Kansas City's retooled wide receiver corps.

Willis is slated to start Thursday's preseason game at Baltimore, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

With starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill in line to sit out the Titans' exhibition opener, Willis and Logan Woodside will split QB duties, earning roughly a half of work apiece, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official site. Willis, a third-round pick in this year's draft, is getting the first shot to lead the offense and will have rookie first-round wide receiver Treylon Burks at his disposal as well.

Jones is slated to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Patriots, Michael Giardi of NFL Network reports.

It remains to be seen how long Jones will be in the game, but Dan Duggan of The Athletic speculates that the Giants' healthy starters "could play as little as a series or as much as a quarter," depending on how they fare early on in the contest. Once Jones exits the game, Tyrod Taylor and Davis Webb are next in line for the team's QB reps.

Wilson won't play much, if at all, in Saturday's preseason game against Dallas, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Wilson might get a few more snaps than other top QBs this preseason, considering he and coach Nathaniel Hackett both are new to Denver. Still, it probably won't amount to much more than a few series, and perhaps in the second/third week of the preseason rather than Saturday.