NFL Player News

Hardman was targeted four times and caught two passes for 27 yards in Saturday's 23-10 preseason victory over the Jets. He also returned a punt for 10 yards in the contest.

It was hardly a big night for Hardman in the box score, but he fared far better than he did in his first exhibition appearance with the Packers, which bodes well for his chances of securing a roster spot. He is the only Packer to field a punt since the preseason began, so if he makes the cut he could work, as Green Bay's punt returner in Week 1.

Robinson will not play during Monday's preseason game against Cincinnati amid ongoing speculation about him being on the trade block, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has rushed for over 700 yards in three straight campaigns for Washington, having handled 187 carries for a career-high 799 yards (4.3 YPC) and eight touchdowns across 14 regular-season games in 2024. That Robinson won't take the field Monday alongside second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels lends more credence to rumors that Washington is willing to move on from the 2022 third-round pick via trade, as Jeremy Brener of SI.com reports, and potentially move forward with Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez and rookie training camp standout Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) atop the depth chart instead. Per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, the decision for Robinson to sit out Monday's preseason game is mutual between the running back and the team.

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay said Monday, after Stafford (back) returned to practice and took part in 11-on-11 drills, that the team has "no updates" on the veteran quarterback's health and are "going to keep it a day, and really a week at a time," Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

While it's certainly encouraging to see Stafford back on the practice field for the first time since June minicamp, and taking part in team drills at that, McVay cautioned that the 37-year-old is still doing "everything in his power" to get back and called it a "very fluid situation that demands flexibility." The Rams will take a cautious approach to ramping up Stafford's activity level as he works his way back from a lingering disc injury in his back, so after he was at least a limited participant Monday it wouldn't be surprising to see him get rest as the week continues. "It was great to be able to see [Stafford] out there today," McVay said, "and we'll see how this afternoon goes, and tomorrow." Stafford still has nearly three weeks to get healthy in time for Week 1 against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 7, but per Brock Vierra of SI.com, McVay declined to comment Monday on whether he still expects the veteran quarterback to be ready for the regular-season opener. DaSilva confirms that Stafford won't be in consideration for Saturday's preseason finale against the Browns, which is no surprise.

Ferguson (groin) participated in practice Monday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Ferguson was "a little bit limited" in his first practice since Aug. 2, when he suffered a groin injury, but also said he was encouraged by the rookie second-round pick's activity in full pads. Ferguson's groin injury forced him to miss Los Angeles' first two preseason games, so Saturday's road matchup against the Browns will represent the rookie tight end's final chance to log exhibition reps before Week 1.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Blue (heel) is "trending positively," and the team is optimistic about his chances of suiting up for Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Blue is still vying for a chance to make his preseason debut, and Friday's matchup against Atlanta represents his final chance to log exhibition reps. The rookie fifth-round pick hasn't practiced since sustaining a bone bruise in his heel Aug. 7, but it appears he's now ready to begin ramping up his activity level. Early in training camp, Blue had gotten some opportunities with the first-team offense and reportedly put together a few strong practices, and once he's back to full health he'll resume competing with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders for backfield opportunities.

While Judkins won't face any charges stemming from a July 12 incident in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he and the Browns have been unable to reach a deal and may not do so until the end of any NFL investigation, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com in a statement last Thursday, an NFL spokesperson noted that the league has been "following developments in the matter which remains under review." With the 2025 second-rounder's signing currently on hold, the Browns' top available backfield options ahead of the team's preseason finale are Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson.

With Joe Flacco having been named the Browns' starting QB on Monday, per Kelsey Russo of the team's official site, Gabriel now will turn his focus to competing for backup slotting behind the veteran signal-caller.

Unlike Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (oblique), Gabriel played in Saturday's 22-13 preseason win over the Eagles. With Flacco locked in as Cleveland's QB1 to begin the regular season, it remains to be seen who will be his top backup Sunday, Sept. 7 against the Bengals, but look for things to get competitive on that front once both Pickett and Sanders resume practicing fully.

Pickett (hamstring) will be contending for a backup role to begin the regular season, as Joe Flacco has been named the Browns' starting QB ahead of Week 1.

Cleveland declared Flacco its starter Monday, leaving Pickett in a competition with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) for the second spot on the team's quarterback depth chart. Tyler Huntley and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) are currently with the Browns as well, though the latter is expected to miss a significant chunk of the 2025 campaign. Which QB wins the No. 2 role could come down to Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams, though Pickett and Sanders are uncertain to participate due to their respective injuries.

Stafford (back) is participating in 11-on-11 drills at Monday's practice, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Stafford not only is participating in individual drills in his first practice session since June minicamp, but the veteran signal-caller already is taking part in team drills, a notable development with Jimmy Garoppolo having dominated first-team reps throughout training camp. Rams coach Sean McVay will provide an update on Stafford after Monday's practice, per Cameron DaSilva of USA Today, but this is the most encouraging development thus far that the 37-year-old's disc injury in his back won't prevent him from being available Week 1. Nonetheless, Stafford likely will be held out of Saturday's preseason finale against the Browns.

Royals (knee tendinitis) won't practice Monday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

It remains to be seen whether Royals' knee tendinitis is something he can manage and possibly play through, but this injury has cropped up at an unfortunate time, with Kansas City's Sept. 5 regular-season opener against the Chargers fast approaching. The rookie fourth-round pick had been receiving some first-team reps in practice as Kansas City deals with numerous injuries to its receiving corps, and Royals has contributed 75 yards on two kickoff returns through two preseason games, in addition to catching three of five targets for 14 yards. The Chiefs will wrap up preseason play Friday against the Bears.