NFL Player News

Head coach Sean McVay expects Nacua (groin), who is dealing with soreness in his psoas, to be "ready to go" in practice ahead of the team's second preseason game against the Saints on Aug. 22, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

The psoas is a muscle that runs from the lower back through the pelvis and to the top of the femur. Nacua left Tuesday's joint practice with the Cowboys due to soreness in that area. He's on track to sit out Saturday's preseason opener against the Chiefs before likely returning to practice ahead of the team's second preseason game versus the Saints. The standout wideout can thus be considered day-to-day for now.

Allen has seen an uptick in pass-catching opportunities during training camp, which could lead to an expanded receiving role during the regular season, Josh Shipley of SI.com reports.

Allen excelled in pass protection as a rookie, but the 2025 seventh-round pick saw only 23 rushing attempts and 11 targets during the 2025 regular season. He was a productive pass catcher at Syracuse, notching 64 receptions in 2024. Allen could be ticketed for the majority of opportunities in passing situations while Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez split early-down work.

Head coach Sean McVay said Thursday that Nacua (groin) is expected to practice prior to the Rams' second preseason game against the Saints, Greg Beacham of The Associated Press reports.

Nacua injured his groin during Tuesday's session and worked on a side field with trainers Thursday. McVay indicated the star wide receiver is simply dealing with soreness in his groin, adding that Nacua should return to practice next week, following the Rams' preseason opener against the Chiefs on Saturday.

Bennett is slated to start Saturday's preseason opener against the Chiefs, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

With top QB Matthew Stafford presumably not set to see the field Saturday, Bennett will get the start while his competition for the team's No. 2 job, Ty Simpson, will see action in the contest as well. Matthew Caldwell is also a candidate to see snaps versus Kansas City once Bennett and Simpson have had their turns.

Purdy isn't in line to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows report.

The report indicates that the 49ers won't play most of their starters Thursday, and with Purdy set to sit this one out, Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke and Adrian Martinez are the team's available signal-caller option against Tennessee. With Jones already entrenched as Purdy's top backup, Rourke and Martinez could end up seeing the bulk of the QB reps Thursday.

Valdes-Scantling (knee) will be sent for an MRI to evaluate his injury, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Valdes-Scantling suffered an injury at practice Saturday, which has now been revealed to be a knee injury. A return timetable won't be established until the results of the MRI are know, but the veteran wide receiver almost certainly won't suit up for the Cowboys' preseason opener against the Seahawks on Saturday.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that Mafah and Jaydon Blue will both "get a ton of work" during the preseason and that they are "in a heated battle" for the top backup spot behind Javonte Williams, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Blue was listed ahead of Mafah on the team's initial depth chart, but both second-year pros will have a chance to make their respective cases for the backup role during the preseason. Williams is locked in atop the depth chart after rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign, while both Blue and Mafah appear to have leapfrogged Malik Davis in the pecking order at running back.

Beck won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders due to a rib injury he sustained in the previous Thursday's preseason game against the Panthers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Beck practiced through soreness all week and the injury isn't considered serious, per Rapoport, but the Cardinals are nonetheless opting to hold the rookie third-round pick out of action for the second of Arizona's four preseason contests. Beck impressed in the Hall of Fame Game, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown while playing the entire first half. Jacoby Brissett, who is expected to be Arizona's Week 1 starter, is set to start Thursday's preseason tilt. Beck's next chance to see preseason action will come Aug. 22 against the Cowboys.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that Blue and Phil Mafah will both "get a ton of work" during the preseason, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Blue and Mafah are "in a heated battle" for the top backup spot behind Javonte Williams, per Schottenheimer. Dallas' initial depth chart lists Blue second behind Williams, ahead of Mafah and Malik Davis. Blue was a fifth-round pick of the Cowboys in 2025, going two rounds ahead of Mafah. The Cowboys will kick off preseason play Saturday in Seattle.

Garrett (knee) is working on a side field with trainers at practice Thursday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Garrett and Puka Nacua (groin) are getting in a star-studded side session Thursday as they work their way back from their respective injuries. Both standout contributors are expected to be available well before the Rams kick off regular-season play Sept. 10 against the 49ers, but Garrett is unlikely to suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Chiefs.