NFL Player News

Watson will learn Monday if he or Shedeur Sanders will be named the starting quarterback for the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The two quarterbacks have gone back and forth on reps during the preseason. Watson started the first half of Cleveland's preseason opener, but then he didn't play until after halftime when Sanders started in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to Buffalo. The 30-year-old has completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards and zero touchdowns to one interception through two exhibition game appearances. With neither quarterback obviously pulling away in the competition this preseason, it's possible that whoever is named the Week 1 starter could be on a short leash. Cleveland will open its 2026 campaign versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Updating a previous report, McCaffrey (undisclosed) participated in team drills during Sunday's practice, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

McCaffrey returned to the practice field after sitting out with general "tightness" during training-camp practices and the 49ers' first two preseason games. The running back's participation during team drills is very encouraging for his availability. However, he initially sat out during the early portions of Sunday's team drills, per Tafur, so San Francisco appears to still be monitoring his workload. Given his status, it's unlikely that McCaffrey will suit up for Thursday's preseason finale versus the Raiders. It will be worth monitoring his participation level in practice ahead of the 49ers' Week 1 matchup versus the Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Saturday that Slaughter will be the Chargers' starting center for the upcoming season, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.

Slaughter, a second-round selection of the Chargers in the 2026 NFL Draft, entered training camp competing for a starting spot at guard. However, with Tyler Biadasz (knee) on injured reserve, Slaughter will shift over and serve as the starting center for his rookie campaign. Slaughter will be flanked by Kayode Awosika and Rashawn Slater (undisclosed) on his left side, with Joe Alt and Cole Strange manning the right.

Harrison is unlikely to play in the Dolphins' preseason finale against the Falcons on Friday due to a hamstring injury, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Harrison likely picked up the injury during the Dolphins' 26-3 preseason loss to the Giants on Saturday. He's battling for a depth spot on the 53-man roster, and his hamstring injury puts him in jeopardy of being cut by the Dolphins at the end of training camp.

Woodaz is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday to repair a broken thumb, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Woodaz sustained the injury during the Texans' 22-20 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday. His return timeline will be determined following Monday's procedure, but the rookie fourth-rounder is a candidate to open the 2026 regular season on injured reserve.

Lenoir (shoulder) participated in Sunday's training camp practice, Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lenoir was held out of Saturday's practice due to a shoulder injury, but the sixth-year cornerback was cleared to return for Sunday's session. He's projected to start opposite Renardo Green (hamstring), with Nate Hobbs (groin), Siran Neal and Jack Jones providing depth at the position. Lenoir finished the 2025 regular season with 61 tackles (39 solo) and five pass defenses (including two interceptions) across 17 games.

Thompson (undisclosed) was on the field for Sunday's training camp practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Thompson was sporting a non-contact jersey during Sunday's session, but it's a positive sign after he was held out of Saturday's practice due to an unspecified injury. The rookie fourth-rounder is battling for a rotational spot in the Chargers' offense, and he'll look to make his case for regular playing time in Thursday's preseason finale against the Rams. Thompson has caught three passes on eight targets for 39 yards through two preseason games, adding one punt return for 12 yards.

The Chargers signed Jennings to a contract Sunday.

Jennings was a fourth-round selection of the Seahawks in the 2019 NFL Draft, but his lone appearance in a regular-season game came in his rookie campaign as a member of the Dolphins. The last time he was on an NFL roster was in 2023 with the Panthers in training camp, and he's been brought in by the Chargers to provide wide receiver depth due to injuries to Quentin Johnston (lower body), Tre' Harris (undisclosed) and Brenen Thompson (undisclosed). A strong performance in training camp practices over the coming week could be enough for Jennings to stay in Los Angeles as a member of the practice squad.

The Browns placed Wright on injured reserve Sunday due to a ruptured Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Wright picked up the injury during Thursday's joint practice with the Bills during a one-on-one drill with offensive tackle Spencer Brown. Follow-up tests revealed the extent of Wright's injury, which will sideline the 2022 third-rounder for the upcoming season. Isaiah McGuire is slated to start at defensive end opposite Jared Verse for the upcoming season, with the Browns adding depth to the position by signing Derek Barnett to a one-year contract.

McCaffrey (undisclosed) was suited up for Sunday's practice but did not participate in team drills, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

McCaffrey had been sidelined this preseason while dealing with general "tightness." His presence in uniform Sunday is a positive step, but the 49ers still appear to be managing the running back's undisclosed issue. It's also unlikely that he'll suit up for San Francisco's preseason finale versus the Raiders on Thursday, so it will be worth monitoring when/if he returns to practice as a full participant ahead of the regular season. The 49ers will open the 2026 campaign versus the Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10.