NFL Player News

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Smith and the starters are "gonna play quite a bit" in Seattle's second preseason game against the 49ers on Aug. 16, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Smith played only one drive in Vegas' first preseason game Thursday, which finished in a 23-23 tie against the Seahawks. It sounds like he'll have a more extended opportunity to work alongside Vegas' top pass catchers, including Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, in the team's second preseason game.

Ferguson (back) participated in Friday's non-padded practice, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

He was diagnosed with a back contusion after an early departure from Thursday's practice. Ferguson told reporters that he's dealing with some pain, but he wants to stay in his routine now that he knows there's no structural injury. Injured or not, he'll presumably be one of the many Cowboys held out of Saturday's preseason game against the Rams.

McConkey (undisclosed) is taking part in the team walkthrough Friday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

McConkey is in uniform for team activities for the first time since July 28. The coaching staff has consistently described McConkey's injury as minor, but it isn't yet clear if he has regained clearance for full practice participation, though his presence Friday is certainly a step in the right direction. The Chargers' next preseason game is Sunday against the Saints.

Heinicke will start Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, NFL.com reports.

Trey Lance started the Hall of Fame Game and played deep into the second half, with both Heinicke and Justin Herbert being held out. Heinicke will now lead the second-string offense Sunday, followed by Lance and DJ Uiagalelei working with the third/fourth units. Heinicke seems like a favorite to enter Week 1 in the backup QB role, but there's always some chance Lance could be tabbed instead. Heinicke and Lance signed similar one-year contracts this offseason.

Pipkins is slated to start at right tackle since Rashawn Slater (knee) is out for the season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Joe Alt will shift from right tackle to left tackle, replacing Slater as the protector of Justin Herbert's blind side. Pipkins will move into the resulting opening at right tackle. The 2019 third-round draft pick has 56 NFL starts under his belt, but Pipkins played guard in 2024 after beginning his career at tackle.

Herbert won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, NFL.com reports.

Taylor Heinicke will get the start, after Trey Lance started the Hall of Fame Game a week earlier. It remains to be seen if Herbert will take some snaps in the Chargers' third or fourth preseason games.

Jones (neck) was placed on season-ending injured reserve Friday, Nick Eatman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Jones will miss the entire 2025 season due to a broken neck. He had peen penciled in as the starter at left guard prior to the injury.

Davis signed a contract with the Cowboys on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Davis gives the Cowboys additional depth at running back while Miles Sanders (knee) and Jaydon Blue (heel) recover from injuries. Despite the short turnaround before Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams, Davis may see some action, as he should have a quicker learning curve after spending last season on Dallas' practice squad.

Daniels and other starters aren't expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Patriots, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Daniels won't see action in the preseason opener but could get some reps Aug. 18 against the Bengals or Aug. 23 against the Ravens. Marcus Mariota (lower leg) didn't travel with the team to New England, leaving Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman to split quarterbacks reps Friday.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Sanders will play about 50 snaps in Friday's preseason opener against Carolina, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

With Joe Flacco being rested while Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel nurse hamstring injuries, the Browns are left with only Sanders and recent signing Tyler Huntley to play QB on Friday. Stefanski said the rookie will play most of the game, with Huntley apparently scheduled to only come in toward the end. It's a nice opportunity for Sanders, although he'll presumably be surrounded by fellow backups, and possibly facing Carolina's defensive starters on the first drive or two.