NFL Player News

Bridgewater was featured more prominently in Wednesday's quarterback rotation, and how he performs in a joint practice with the Steelers on Thursday will determine whether he plays in Saturday's preseason contest, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The veteran signal-caller didn't play in the preseason opener against the Titans on Saturday after just having signed a contract earlier in the week. Bridgewater has been gradually getting acclimated to coordinator Josh Grizzard's offense, and he impressed head coach Todd Bowles in Wednesday's session with his increasing grasp of the system. When asked about Bridgewater's potential participation in Saturday's second preseason game against the Steelers, Bowles stated he wanted "to see how much work he can get in" in reference to Thursday's joint practice before making a decision.

Henry is among the key Ravens players not slated to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Henry, who also didn't play in last Thursday's preseason opener, is no lock to see any action in the Ravens' Aug. 23 preseason finale, either. Ahead of Week 1, he's entrenched as a high-volume No. 1 option in a backfield that also includes Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali.

Gabriel has an opportunity to potentially start Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles with Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) both nursing injuries, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't yet named a starter for Saturday's exhibition matchup, but with Sanders and Pickett both banged-up and Joe Flacco expected to rest, Gabriel seems a likely candidate to not only start but potentially handle a substantial amount of expanded reps. Deshaun Watson (Achilles) remains on the active/PUP list, meaning the only other healthy quarterback currently on the roster able to challenge Gabriel for playing time Saturday is Tyler Huntley. Gabriel missed Cleveland's preseason opener due to a hamstring injury of his own, so the team may also have extra motivation to allot the 2025 third-rounder increased exhibition reps for evaluation purposes.

Jackson is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Per Hensley, the same goes for RB Derrick Henry, as well as other front-line starters who (like Jackson and Henry) didn't play in last Thursday's preseason opener. It remains to be seen if Jackson will see any snaps in Baltimore's Aug. 23 preseason finale against the Commanders, but even if he does, it likely won't be many, as the team's priority is understandably keeping the star QB healthy ahead of Week 1.

Sanders (oblique) is considered day-to-day due to an oblique strain suffered during Wednesday's practice and is not expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Sanders won't practice Thursday, and while it appears he won't be available Saturday versus Philadelphia, he could still have a chance to gain clearance in time for Cleveland's preseason finale against the Rams on Saturday, Aug. 23. With the 2025 fifth-rounder and veteran Kenny Pickett (hamstring) both trending in the wrong direction due to injury, and veteran Joe Flacco expected to rest, rookie third-round quarterback Dillon Gabriel could get a chance to start and handle expanded reps during Saturday's exhibition matchup.

Winfield (leg) did not practice Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Head coach Todd Bowles didn't specify if Winfield's injury will cause him to miss more time. The 26-year-old is coming off a season where he only appeared in nine regular-season games due to knee and ankle injuries, but has been a full participant in training camp so far. He's entering the second year of his four-year, $84.1 million contract extension.

Gordon (hamstring) is considered week-to-week, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.

After dealing with a lower-body injury during the offseason, Gordon is now sidelined due to a hamstring issue, but head coach Ben Johnson told reporters he should return before the end of the preseason. The 25-year-old signed a three-year, $40 million extension with the Bears in April and is expected to continue being their primary slot cornerback.

Johnson (leg) is on track to be ready for the Bears' season opener, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.

Johnson was placed on the active/non-football injury list prior to training camp after suffering an injury away from the team. The 26-year-old is progressing through his injury as expected and has the goal of returning in the Bears' season opener against the Vikings and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The 2020 second-round pick continued to make a name for himself last season, he appeared in all 17 games and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl, recording 53 tackles (42 solo), two interceptions, eight pass defenses and a forced fumble.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that the team's starters, including Moore, will suit up for Sunday's preseason game against Buffalo, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Moore and the majority of starters sat out Chicago's preseason opener against Miami last weekend, presumably while still picking up Johnson's playbook, but the first-team offense will make its exhibition debut versus the Bills on Sunday. Johnson has regularly deployed Moore out of the backfield throughout training camp, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports, with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle saying the team is "trying to get him touches in every way we can." Moore remains positioned as the No. 1 wideout for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, but given the tough target competition of Chicago's crowded skill-position groups, an uptick in designed plays out of the backfield would be a welcome development. Last season, Moore logged a career-high 14 carries for 75 yards, though he didn't score on the ground.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that Williams and the first-team units will suit up for Sunday's preseason game against the Bills, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Williams and the majority of Chicago's starters were held out of preseason action versus the Dolphins last weekend, but the first-team units will get a chance to log exhibition reps versus Buffalo. Expectations are high for Williams entering Year 2, as he's surrounded by a revamped O-line that projects as top-10 in the league and boasts an impressive supporting cast headlined by wideouts DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden and TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.