NFL Player News

Branch returned a punt for 18 yards during the Falcons' 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.

Branch didn't see much action Friday, playing a total of four snaps (three on offense, one on special teams). However, his lone snap on special teams came as a punt returner, and he figures to see plenty of work as a returner in the upcoming season, especially if he doesn't get much playing time on offense behind Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Richardson completed seven of 10 passes for 80 yards without a touchdown or an interception in Saturday's 25-16 preseason loss to the Lions. He gained zero yards on his only carry.

The 2023 first-round pick got the start in the Colts' preseason finale and led the team to field goals on his first two drives, but Riley Leonard came on in the second quarter and produced Indy's only TD of the afternoon. Richardson did avoid committing any turnovers, but Saturday's performances didn't do much to clarify who will begin the season as Daniel Jones' backup.

The Falcons waived Marion on Saturday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Marion joined the team as an undrafted free agent back in May but was unable to earn a roster spot. The 26-year-old could be a candidate to land on Atlanta's practice squad should he go unclaimed on waivers.

Bates didn't get a field-goal attempt and went just 1-for-3 on extra-point attempts in Saturday's 25-16 preseason win over the Colts.

The Lions scored four touchdowns on the afternoon but failed on a two-point conversion on one of them. Bates hasn't looked great this preseason and converted a subpar 79.4 percent of his FG attempts in 2025, but as yet there's been no suggestion his spot is in jeopardy. Detroit's high-powered offense offers Bates a reliable floor in terms of PAT volume, but the unit's efficiency also limits his FG volume, and his fantasy ceiling -- he reached double-digit points in just seven of 17 regular-season games last season.

Altmyer completed seven of 11 passes for 55 yards and an interception in Saturday's 25-16 preseason win over the Colts. He also gained two yards on two carries and committed two fumbles, losing one.

The undrafted rookie got the start at quarterback for the Lions in their final exhibition contest and played the first and third quarters as the battle to be Jared Goff's primary backup goes down to the wire, but veteran Joshua Dobbs put up superior numbers while running the offense in the second and fourth quarters. Altmyer did lead a 10-play, 75-yard TD drive to close out the first quarter, punctuated by a Trayveon Williams one-yard plunge, but his other four possessions ended in turnovers or punts. If he sticks on the Lions' roster, it will likely be as the No. 3 QB.

Dobbs completed 15 of 19 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 25-16 preseason win over the Colts. He also recorded minus-1 yard on five carries.

Undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer got the start at quarterback for the Lions in their final exhibition contest and played the first and third quarters as the battle to be Jared Goff's primary backup goes down to the wire, but Dobbs put up superior numbers while running the offense in the second and fourth quarters. The veteran signal-caller didn't commit a turnover and led three TD drives in total, hitting Jackson Meeks for a six-yard score and Tay Martin with a two-yard toss before halftime before handing off to Trayveon Williams for a one-yard plunge on Detroit's first possession of the fourth quarter. Whoever wins the job as the No. 2 likely won't see much action, however -- Goff hasn't missed a game due to injury since 2021.

London played eight snaps on offense and didn't show up in the box score otherwise during the Falcons' 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.

London was limited to playing the first quarter of Friday's exhibition game before observing the rest of the contest from the sidelines. Entering his fifth NFL season, the USC product has recorded at least 68 catches and 850 receiving yards in each of his four years with Atlanta. London has been one of the most productive receivers since entering the league in 2022, but his offensive output will be heavily tied to the production of the Falcons' starting quarterback, whether that's Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix (knee).

Cousins is expected to be named starting quarterback for the Raiders, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak had refused to announce a decision on Las Vegas' Week 1 quarterback throughout the preseason, but Cousins has been listed as the No. 1 QB on the team's depth chart during training camp and the exhibition slate. The veteran signal-caller was also more effective than rookie No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza during preseason play, completing 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions to Mendoza's 25-for-45 line with one TD and two pickoffs. Cousins will thus have the first opportunity to helm the Raiders offense, which features an elite tight end in Brock Bowers but one of the NFL's shallowest wide-receiver corps. Should Cousins and/or the team struggle, Mendoza could eventually be given a chance to start later in the campaign, though it's possible he'll be asked to observe and learn from the bench for his entire rookie season.

The Falcons released Johnson on Saturday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Johnson's tenure with Atlanta has come to an end just over a week after he first signed with the team. The 2022 fifth-round pick spent last season with the Colts, logging six tackles (four solo) across 12 games, and will now look to find a new opportunity elsewhere.

The Falcons placed Hall (undisclosed) on injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Hall will now be forced to miss the entirety of the upcoming campaign unless he's let go with an injury settlement. He most recently played for the Cardinals, appearing in two games during the 2025 season, and will now shift his focus to getting healthy.