NFL Player News

Johnston (lower body) brought in one of two targets for a 65-yard touchdown in the Chargers' 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams on Thursday.

The speedy fourth-year pro recently missed some practice time due to a lower-body injury he suffered during a joint practice with the 49ers leading up to Los Angeles' second preseason game, yet Johnston looked at full health when blowing past the Rams' secondary for a 65-yard touchdown with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Thursday's snaps were Johnston's only action this preseason, but he looks prepared to reprise the No. 2 receiver role that's netted over 700 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons beginning with a Week 1 home matchup against the Cardinals.

Simpson completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while also rushing three times for 10 yards in the Rams' 20-18 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday.

Simpson drew the start and initially played the entire first half before reentering the game in the latter portion of the fourth quarter without attempting another pass. The rookie 13th overall pick put together a solid first two quarters, connecting with Brennan Presley for an 11-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. Simpson did nothing to hurt his chances of earning the No. 2 quarterback job this preseason -- he completed 47 of 60 passes (78.3 percent) for 382 yards with a 3:0 TD:INT and added seven rushes for 19 yards -- but it remains to be seen whether he did enough to beat out the more experienced Stetson Bennett for the role.

Herbert completed two of three passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, rushed once for no gain and lost a fumble in the Chargers' 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams on Thursday.

Herbert drew the start and completed a nine-yard pass to Charlie Kolar on the Chargers' first play from scrimmage before losing a fumble on his next snap. However, the star signal-caller atoned on his second and final possession, hitting Quentin Johnston for a 65-yard touchdown pass to close out his brief night. Herbert, who put up five pass attempts across two games this preseason, will begin his quest to eclipse the 3,700-yard mark through the air for the third straight campaign with a Week 1 home matchup against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Gay converted four of five field-goal attempts in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers.

Gay made field goals from 37, 53, 45 and 48 yards while missing one from 54 yards. The veteran kicker had a strong overall showing, accounting for all 12 of the Raiders' points in the preseason finale. The 32-year-old appears ready for the mid-range challenges, but he once again may struggle from 50-plus yards, making just four of nine attempts during the 2025 season (44 percent).

Benson failed to catch his only target in Thursday night's preseason finale against the 49ers.

The sixth-round rookie has been a roster assumption due to the draft capital utilized on him, but back-to-back poor showings in the preseason do not leave much to be excited about so far. Benson has had a strong training camp despite the game-time struggles, so it remains to be seen how high his usage could be as the regular season gets underway.

Mayer caught both of his targets for eight yards in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers.

Mayer had a quick night, acquiring both receptions on the Raiders' second offensive drive of the game. The No. 2 tight end behind Brock Bowers will see the most usage in 12-personnel packages as a supplemental blocker and pass catcher throughout the 2026 season.

Morton completed 18 of 28 passes for 123 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Thursday's 37-13 preseason loss to the Browns. He also rushed twice for 18 yards.

Morton entered the game in the first quarter after Tommy DeVito played New England's first two drives. Morton, a rookie seventh-round pick out of Texas Tech, promptly threw an interception on his first pass and was later picked off again in the fourth quarter. Morton is clearly behind Drake Maye and DeVito on New England's quarterback depth chart heading into the regular season.

Rudolph did not play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Bills.

Rudolph has likely already secured the backup quarterback role behind Aaron Rodgers to start the 2026 regular season. Thursday night's contest once again saw a half of Will Howard (head) and a half of Drew Allar at quarterback, leaving Rudolph to rest with Rodgers as they await the regular season.

Ryan (foot) caught both of his targets for nine yards in Thursday's 37-13 preseason win over the Patriots.

Ryan managed to suit up two days after exiting Tuesday's practice early due to a foot injury. The rookie seventh-round pick is aiming to secure a spot on Cleveland's 53-man roster in a TE room led by Harold Fannin.

James (ribs) rushed eight times for 35 yards and brought in one of two targets for 20 yards in the 49ers' 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.

James was the second 49ers running back to log a touch behind Kaelon Black, carrying the ball on all three plays of the team's fourth drive. James netted eight rushing yards on that trio of rush attempts, and he proceeded to rattle off his game-long 17-yard gain just before the two-minute warning the next time San Francisco had the ball. Thursday marked James' only action of the preseason after he previously dealt with a rib fracture, and it remains to be seen how his splash plays as both a runner and receiver impact his standing heading into the regular season.