NFL Player News

Rodgers is among the Steelers' key players not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With regard to the team's plans for Saturday's contest, coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the same players (with the possible exception of LB Nick Herbig) who didn't play last weekend against the Jaguars won't face Tampa Bay, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site. Apart from Rodgers, that's a group that includes RB Jaylen Warren, WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). Beyond that, Rodgers is no lock to see any snaps in Pittsburgh's Aug. 21 preseason finale against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph is slated to start at QB this Saturday for the second straight contest, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that Prescott will not start Saturday's preseason matchup against the Ravens, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 32-year-old signal-caller also sat out Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams last weekend, meaning Prescott's final opportunity to suit up for exhibition reps will be Friday, Aug. 22 against the Falcons. In his stead, No. 2 quarterback Joe Milton (elbow), and third-stringer Will Grier figure to again split reps. Prescott has spent training camp picking up an expanded scheme, much of which carries over from Schottenheimer's tenure as offensive coordinator last season, plus building chemistry with new No. 2 receiver George Pickens.

Coach Brian Callahan noted that Ward and the Titans starters are slated to play in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Nick Gray of the Nashville Tennessean reports.

On that subject, Callahan revealed ahead of the team's joint practices with the Falcons that "everybody is going to play, similar to last week." In the team's preseason opener against the Buccaneers last Saturday, Ward worked for two series, a pattern that he could follow versus Atlanta before giving way to fellow QBs Brandon Allen and Trevor Siemian.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that Milton (elbow) will start Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Milton was pulled from Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams last weekend early due to an elbow injury, but he's recovered quickly enough that he won't have to miss any exhibition action. The second-year quarterback completed completed 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception versus Los Angeles before being replaced by Will Grier, while also rushing five times for 22 yards.

Hill (oblique) won't practice Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

The report suggests that Hill, who has been managing an oblique injury, made a push to be on the field Thursday, but the Dolphins training staff is inclined to play it safe with the wideout in order to avoid a setback. With coach Mike McDaniel having indicated that at this stage he's not planning on using his starters this weekend, per Dante Collinelli of SI.com, Hill's next chance to see game action will occur Saturday, Aug. 23 against the Jaguars.

Garoppolo is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports.

Given that top QB Matthew Stafford is still hampered by a back issue, it's no surprise that the Rams are playing it safe with their veteran backup, with Stu Jackson of the team's official site having previously relayed via coach Sean McVay that Garoppolo won't play in any preseason games. In that context, Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn are available to handle signal-caller reps this weekend.

Pickett (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

On the plus side, Pickett, who remains limited to 7-on-7 work, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, said Thursday that he feels like he's "turning the corner." As for whether the QB can improve to the point where he can practice fully next week, Pickett acknowledged to Jackson, "I can't say that yet. It will be close." As things stand, Joe Flacco continues to trend toward getting the start Week 1, with Pickett's chances of making a late push for the assignment still hampered by the fact that he's not yet 100 percent back from his hamstring issue.

Waddle is taking part in team drills at Thursday's joint practice with the Lions, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Waddle returned to practice Wednesday, also a joint session with the Detroit, though coach Mike McDaniel said his rep count was limited, per David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. While Waddle's overall workload may still be being managed Thursday, he essentially appears back to full health after having been banged-up during a collision with a Bears defender in last week's joint practices. If McDaniel opts to play the starters during Saturday's exhibition matchup against the Lions, it doesn't appear injuries would prevent Waddle from suiting up.

Rice (groin) is expected to have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL scheduled for Tues., Sept. 30, making him likely to play in Kansas City's first four games of the regular season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Rice's disciplinary hearing with the NFL is expected to result in a multi-game suspension relating to his involvement in a multi-car crash that occurred in Dallas during the 2024 offseason, and a scheduling date of Sept. 30 likely now means that any missed time would come either in the middle of the 2025 campaign, or be deferred until 2026. That at least provides clarity that Rice, who missed the Chiefs' preseason opener against the Cardinals due to what coach Andy Reid described as a minor groin injury, should be available for the first four games of the regular season at a minimum, beginning Week 1 against the Chargers on Friday, Sept. 5. The status of both Rice and Hollywood Brown (ankle) remains uncertain for Friday's exhibition matchup against Seattle.

Sampson was the first running back through the rotation both Wednesday and Thursday during joint practices with the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Sampson started Cleveland's preseason opener and took two carries for six yards, although it didn't mean much with most of the key veterans -- including RB Jerome Ford -- being held out. The first-team reps in practice are a better sign, especially with no report of Ford being injured, potentially hinting at a rotation between the two RBs early in the season. Fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned -- and uncertain to play this season -- after a July arrest for domestic violence charges.