NFL Player News

Jones completed 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards in Thursday's preseason game at Baltimore, playing five drives after Anthony Richardson left with a finger injury.

Richardson got the start and was scheduled to play midway through the second quarter, with Jones then coming in and playing until halftime. Instead, Richardson left on the second drive, leaving Jones to play the rest of the first half with an offense mostly constructed of second-stringers. His numbers don't look great, and he didn't have any rush attempts, but Jones did lead the Colts to three field-goal attempts on his five drives, avoiding turnovers and taking only one sack. He was scheduled to play the first quarter and a half in the Colts' second preseason game, Aug. 16 against Green Bay, but the plan may change after Richardson's early exit Thursday night.

Coach Shane Steichen told Larra Overton of the Colts' official site that Richardson sustained a dislocated finger on his right hand during Thursday's preseason contest at Baltimore and doesn't have a timetable for his return, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Richardson and Daniel Jones have been embroiled in a QB competition since the start of the offseason program, but Richardson got the first chance to lead the Colts offense this preseason. Unfortunately for Richardson, he took a big hit from Ravens defender David Ojabo in the first quarter, exited the game and was ruled out not long afterward. Considering his injury history as a pro, it's unclear when Richardson may be cleared for on-field work, let along game action.

Iosivas wasn't targeted during Thursday's preseason game at Philadelphia, but he played 11 of 15 snaps with the first-team offense, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Ja'Marr Chase took all 15 snaps, with Higgins and Iosivas getting 11 apiece and Charlie Jones chipping in for three. Noticeably absent was 2024 third-round pick Jermaine Burton, who is said to be doing much better this summer after making a poor impression last year. In any case, Iosivas picked up where he left off last year, having finished 2024 with 61 targets despite ranking 11th among wideouts in routes run (551). The Bengals could still give Burton, Jones or someone else a shot in the No. 3 WR role at some point.

Higgins saw one incomplete target on two drives in Thursday's preseason opener at Philadelphia.

Joe Burrow misfired to an open Higgins on his first pass attempt, before locking in and leading two TD drives with the help of WR Ja'Marr Chase and TE Tanner Hudson. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he wants to use his starters in the preseason more than he ever has before, which means Higgins may got another tune-up before Week 1.

Brown took five carries for 23 yards and three catches for 25 yards in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles.

He was the only RB to get a touch on the first-team offense's two drives, getting the ball eight times on 15 plays, although Samaje Perine did take four snaps, per Jay Morrison of SI.com. It was a reminder of what Brown did last season in Weeks 9-17, recording eight straight games with at least 15 touches, 50 snaps and 91 total yards. The Bengals may ideally want Perine and Tahj Brooks to take some of the load off Brown's shoulders this season, but Brown could still end up dominating the touches if coach Zac Taylor decides there's too much of a drop off between the starter and his backups.

Johnson (groin) took part in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

After being sidelined for about one week due to a minor groin injury, Johnson has been able to log some activity in back-to-back sessions, but it's unclear if he's back to 100 percent just yet. With fellow TEs Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) still on the active/PUP list, Johnson would be the Saints' top option at the position for Sunday's preseason contest against the Chargers, assuming he's cleared to suit up.

Gardner-Johnson suffered a knee injury during Thursday's practice, but it is believed that his ACL is not torn, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

There have been conflicting reports about the nature of Gardner-Johnson's injury, as it was originally stated that his ACL was torn. He'll undergo further evaluation to determine the exact nature of the damage, but he will likely be sidelined for an extensive period regardless of the exact diagnosis.

Chase caught each of his four targets for 71 yards in Thursday's preseason game at Philadelphia.

Chase caught three passes on the opening drive, with a fourth (in the end zone) wiped out by a blocking penalty. He made it back to the end zone on the following drive, taking a short pass the distance from 36 yards out. The Bengals then pulled most of their starters, including Chase and QB Burrow. They may give their key players more run in the second week of the preseason, Aug. 18 against Washington, although there's not much reason to risk Chase's health when he already appears in mid-season form.

Burrow completed nine of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's preseason game at Philadelphia.

He misfired to Tee Higgins on his first pass attempt but then completed nine in a row to put up 14 points on two drives against an Eagles defense that was mostly using backups. Ja'Marr Chase caught each of his four targets for 77 yards and a touchdown, with another would-be TD wiped out by a blocking penalty. Burrow and other starters may play again in the next exhibition, Aug. 18 against Washington, with Bengals coach Zac Taylor having said two weeks ago that he wants to give his starters more preseason snaps than he ever has before.

Blue said after Thursday's practice that he sustained an ankle injury, but he's "fine," Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports

Blue made an early departure Thursday due to an apparent lower-body injury and visited the sideline tent before walking off the field under his own power. The nature of the issue has been confirmed, but his status ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the Rams now is up in the air. Blue has been mixing into drills with the first-team offense in training camp, but the rookie fifth-round pick may begin to fall behind in the competition for RB reps with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders if he misses an extended period of time.