NFL Player News

Stick is slated to start Friday's preseason game versus the Titans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Falcons are keeping QBs Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins on the sideline for a second straight exhibition, allowing Stick another chance to lead the offense. Last Friday against the Lions, Stick completed 15 of 18 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown in one half of work. A similar workload likely is in the offing for Stick before he hands things off to Emory Jones for the rest of the contest.

Cousins won't suit up for Friday's preseason game against the Titans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

For a second consecutive exhibition, both Cousins and No. 1 quarterback Michael Penix won't be available to the Falcons, leaving Easton Stick to start under center and Emory Jones to sub in once Stick is done for the evening. Cousins is slated to serve as the backup to Penix in 2025, but if a QB-needy team pops up at some point in the coming weeks or months, Cousins could find himself on the move.

Ridley isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason contest against the Falcons, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

The same applies to Tyler Lockett, as the Titans elect to play it safe with a pair of their key veteran wideouts. Ridley's next opportunity to see game action will arrive next Friday in the team's preseason finale against the Vikings.

Denver waived Junior (hamstring) with an injury designation Friday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Junior sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday's practice, meaning if he goes unclaimed on waivers he'll revert to season-ending IR. If that occurs, Junior will need to reach an injury settlement with the Broncos in order to be released and potentially sign elsewhere and play in 2025.

San Francisco released Dwelley on Friday.

Dwelley suited up for all 17 regular-season games in a depth role with Atlanta last season, and he inked with the 49ers back in May. He'll work to carve out another reserve opportunity elsewhere in the league.

Burton (undisclosed) worked on a rehab field during Friday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cincinnati beat writers spotted Burton at practice for the first time since the Bengals' preseason opener a week ago Thursday, but the wideout didn't actually take part in team drills, instead going to a side field with TE Mike Gesicki (hamstring) and other injured players. While the relatively quick return to physical activity suggests Burton's unspecified injury isn't serious, the missed time could hurt his chances of earning a Week 1 role off the bench. There hasn't been any recent buzz about Burton challenging Andrei Iosivas for the No. 3 receiver role.

Keenum did not practice Friday due to a leg injury, Adam Jahns of AllCHGO.com reports.

Keenum is considered day-to-day, per Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune, so while his injury isn't a long-term concern, it may prevent him from suiting up for Sunday's preseason game against the Bills. The veteran signal-caller is competing with Tyson Bagent for the No. 2 quarterback role behind Caleb Williams, and if he can't suit up versus Buffalo it will provide fourth-stringer Austin Reed a chance to handle increased reps.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Flacco will not suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Noah Monroe of the team's official site reports.

Flacco is fully healthy and remains, by all indications, on track to start Week 1 for the Browns, so the team simply has little incentive to risk exposing the 40-year-old veteran to exhibition reps. Rookie third-rounder Dillon Gabriel (hamstring), who returned to team drills this week, could get a chance to start Saturday if the team feels he's sufficiently healthy, while Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) seem less likely to be available. The plethora of injuries to Cleveland's quarterback room will likely result on Tyler Huntley playing a substantial amount Saturday, and potentially even starting versus Philadelphia.

Pierce, who got a rest day during Thursday's joint practice with the Panthers, is expected to be held out of Saturday's preseason game against Carolina, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pierce has recently split first-team reps with Nick Chubb when not receiving a rest day, but the Texans appear to be taking a cautious approach to his workload, given that a quad injury kept him on the active/PUP list until Aug. 4. With Joe Mixon (foot) still on the active/non-football injury list and not set to be re-evaluated until closer to the start of the regular season, Pierce is competing with Chubb and rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks for a potentially significant Week 1 opportunity.

Chubb (concussion), who handled the bulk of first-team reps during joint practices with the Panthers on Thursday, is expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against Carolina, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Chubb, who has now fully cleared the concussion protocol, has handled the bulk of first-team reps throughout training camp with Joe Mixon (lower leg) still on the active/non-football injury list. He's split those reps with Dameon Pierce, who was held out of Thursday's joint practice and appears on track to get a rest day Saturday. Chubb made a handful of explosive plays at practice Thursday, an encouraging development given that he's coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries. A strong showing versus Carolina would boost Chubb's standing in Houston's backfield, wherein he, Pierce, and rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks are all working to make their case for the Week 1 starting gig in the event that Mixon isn't ready to go.