NFL Player News

Richardson and Daniel Jones shared first-team QB snaps during Wednesday's opening training camp practice, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.

The report notes that the Colts held four team periods in Wednesday's session, with Jones working with the starters for the first two, while Richardson handled the first-team snaps during the final two, which fits with coach Shane Steichen's plan to alternate the two signal-callers in training camp as they compete for the Week 1 starting assignment. Though there's a chance that Richardson could have some volume restrictions in the coming days (in particular during low-leverage portions of practice) after experiencing soreness in his throwing shoulder this summer, the plan is for the 2023 first-rounder to handle team reps, an approach that will allow him to contend with Jones in a job battle that Steichen noted is "really going to come down to who's the most consistent" this summer, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site previously reported.

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen told reporters Wednesday that Smith's (undisclosed) placement on the active/PUP list was cautionary, Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville reports.

The Jaguars haven't disclosed the exact nature of Smith's injury. However, it appears the 2024 second-round pick's injury isn't serious, which should open the door for him to participate in training camp and the preseason. Smith saw his snap count grow in the latter part of his rookie campaign, and he registered 12 tackles (six solo), including 2.0 sacks, and two pass defenses across the last six games of the 2024 regular season.

Jones and Anthony Richardson split first-team QB snaps during Wednesday's opening training camp practice, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.

Per the report, the Colts held four team periods during Wednesday's session, with Jones working with the starters for the first two, while Richardson took the first-team snaps during the final two. In the process, each quarterback was given 16 team snaps, which aligns with coach Shane Steichen's plan to alternate the two signal-callers in training camp as they compete for the Week 1 starting assignment. While there's a chance that Richardson could have some volume restrictions in the coming days after experiencing soreness in his throwing shoulder this summer, the 2023 first-rounder was cleared to participate in training camp, setting the stage for a job battle that Steichen noted is "really going to come down to who's the most consistent" as the summer progresses, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site previously reported.

Allen looked explosive on the first day of training camp Wednesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports, and Rosenblatt expects Allen to play a larger role in the running back's second NFL season.

Allen came out of the gate hot in his rookie season but averaged only 3.1 yards per carry from Week 5 onward. The 2024 fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin was the youngest player in the NFL at the start of last season and won't turn 22 years old until Jan. 20, so some growing pains were to be expected. If he can successfully run with power behind his 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame, Allen could effectively complement shifty lead back Breece Hall, though 2024 fifth-round draft pick Isaiah Davis is also trying to carve out a role in a Jets backfield that's unchanged from 2024 in terms of personnel.

Ward took all of the first-team QB reps during Wednesday's opening training camp practice, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.

While the Titans haven't officially declared Ward the starter, Davenport indicates that the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is firmly in line to claim the job after the team announced Monday that Will Levis, who is now on IR, will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder next week. Currently in the mix to back up Ward this coming season are free-agent acquisitions Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.

Levis (shoulder) was placed on IR by the Titans on Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

The move comes as no surprise, following Monday's news that Levis had elected to have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. In his absence, this year's No. 1 overall pick, Cameron Ward, is poised to handle the bulk first-team QB reps in training camp practices as the Titans prepare him to be their starter in Week 1, per Wyatt.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Hooker knows that it's time to "take the next step" in his career.

Campbell also mentioned being impressed by Hooker's urgency and footwork at the beginning of training camp. The 27-year-old spent all of last season as Detroit's No. 2 quarterback, ultimately attempting just nine passes with Jared Goff staying healthy throughout the year. Now entering the third year of his rookie contract, Hooker will face competition from Kyle Allen this summer. There was some thought Hooker might eventually replace Goff after the Lions made him a third-round pick in 2023, but Goff has since led offenses that ranked fifth and first in points scored, earning a four-year, $212 million extension in the process. The Lions essentially are tied to Goff through 2027, one year beyond the length of Hooker's rookie contract (2023-26).

Hurts completed 14 of 15 passes Wednesday at the first practice of training camp, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

The Eagles have a new offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, who replaces Kellen Moore after spending the last four years as Nick Sirianni's passing-game coordinator. Continuity is the theme otherwise, with Philadelphia returning all but one of last year's starters on offense (G Mekhi Becton) after winning the Super Bowl. Two of the starting linemen are working back from offseason surgeries, but it seems all the key skill-position players are healthy for the start of training camp, including Hurts, Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown. With 52 rushing touchdowns in 62 regular-season starts over the past four years, Hurts has become one of the most reliable assets at any position for fantasy, even though his passing volume and efficiency have fluctuated considerably from year to year.

Pearsall (hamstring) trained on a side field Wednesday and is expected to practice Sunday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Reports continue to suggest that Pearsall's stint on the PUP list won't be a long one. It thus seems the 49ers have bigger issues at his position, with Brandon Aiyuk coming back from an ACL tear, Demarcus Robinson in danger of a DUI-related suspension, and Jacob Cowing injuring his hamstring Wednesday. They also have Jauan Jennings seeking an extension, although he's opting to practice in the meantime. There are a lot of moving parts here , but Pearsall's first-round pedigree and strong finish to his rookie season give him a solid breakout case heading into Year 2.

Polk (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's opening training camp practice, Jay Pritchard of NESN.com reports.

Though Polk didn't land on either the PUP or non-football injury list, the 2024 second-rounder is bouncing back from an offseason shoulder procedure that limited him during spring workouts. Following a disappointing rookie season in which he caught just 12 passes in 15 games, the sooner Polk is able to practice, the better, given that the Washington product faces plenty of competition for slotting in a crowded WR corps.