NFL Player News

The Vikings have named Murray their starting quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The former Cardinal had been competing with J.J. McCarthy for the assignment, but Murray will become the team's fourth Week 1 starter in the last four years. McCarthy is slated to serve as the top backup, while Murray will helm an offense that includes the talented pass-catching nucleus of wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Waddle, who has been dealing with muscle tightness, didn't participate in practice Tuesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Waddle was present for Tuesday's session but didn't work into team drills. The former Dolphin remains day-to-day ahead of Friday's preseason opener against the Falcons, but given that he hasn't practiced since last Wednesday, it's increasingly likely he'll be sidelined for that contest.

Dobbins (undisclosed) is dressed for Tuesday's practice after making an early exit Monday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Dobbins has a lengthy injury history, but it doesn't sound like this latest incident will be a significant chapter. That said, the Broncos could limit Dobbins at Tuesday's practice, after coach Sean Payton told reporters Monday that the RB had suffered a soft-tissue injury.

Golden (toe) returned to practice Tuesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

With Golden and Jayden Reed (ankle) both returning to practice after brief absences, the Packers are mostly healthy at wide receiver. QB Jordan Love is expected to start Thursday's preseason game against the Steelers, but it isn't clear if Golden and Reed will be available after dealing with minor injuries earlier in the week.

Reed (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The Packers are banged up at other positions, but with Reed and Matthew Golden (toe) both returning to practice, the team is at least in good shape at wide receiver. It's unclear if either one will suit up for Thursday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, but starting QB Jordan Love is expected to play.

Dolphis coach Jeff Hafley said Monday on The Rich Eisen Show that Achane may have games with 40 touches this year, ESPN.com reports.

The number is an exaggeration, but Hafley did make it clear he'll keep Achane busy, joking that "there might be some games when I have to pick him up and carry him back to the locker room because he's going to be so tired." Hafley also mentioned telling the running back that he didn't want to see him tapping his helmet for a breather, to which Achane responded that he's up to the task. The Dolphins don't seem to buy into any notion of limiting Achane's workload in a likely rebuilding year, though it is possible the tune changes if the season progresses and wins prove elusive or he gets banged up.

General manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that Pierce (ankle) is expected to play Week 1 against the Ravens, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

The wideout still has some hurdles to clear in the recovery process from March surgery, and though he's not practicing with the Colts while on the PUP list, Pierce was in attendance for Tuesday's session and was seen taking part in individual work off to the side, per Boyd. After trading away Michael Pittman and rewarding Pierce with a four-year, $114 million contract earlier this offseason, the Colts are counting on the 26-year-old to take on a much larger role in the aerial attack after he has mostly operated as a low-volume vertical threat over his first four seasons in the league.

Chase and other starters are scheduled to play in Thursday's preseason opener against Detroit, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor also said QB Joe Burrow and WR Tee Higgins will play. In the past two preseason openers, Burrow played a total of three drives and ended each with a TD pass, including one to Chase.

Burrow and other starters are scheduled to play in Thursday's preseason opener against Detroit, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

WR Ja'Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins and DT Dexter Lawrence are also expected to play, so it sounds like all healthy starters will get some action. Last year, Burrow played two drives in Cincinnati's preseason opener, completing nine of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2024 preseason opener, he played a single 12-play drive, which also ended in a TD pass.

Judkins is expected to take on a larger role in the passing game this year, according to Scott Petrak of BrownsZone.

The report also notes that "the plan is for Judkins to be a workhorse" under new Browns head coach Todd Monken. A couple of weeks ago, RBs coach Duce Staley said the second-year back "can play all three downs" once he has the mental aspect mastered. The Browns still have Dylan Sampson as an option for passing downs or to mix in on early downs, but it sounds like Judkins will get the lion's share of touches come Week 1. He's been a full practice participant since OTAs, coming back strong from late-December surgery on a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.