NFL Player News

Williams won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Browns, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Ben Johnson revealed Thursday that the Bears plan to sit "a number" of their starters, with Williams among those getting the day off. Per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Johnson seems to be leaning toward resting Williams for the entire preseason, though a final determination on the starting quarterback's status for the second and third preseason games has yet to be made. Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Miller Moss are the other QBs on Chicago's roster, and Finley reports that Bagent is on track to play the first half of Saturday's preseason opener.

Wiggins (leg) is expected to resume practicing prior to Baltimore's second preseason game against the Vikings on Aug. 22, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Wiggins won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Eagles, but he isn't expected to face a long-term absence after being carted off during Tuesday's practice due to a left leg injury. Subsequent tests revealed no structural damage for Baltimore's 2024 first-round pick.

Rattler will start Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, per Saints head coach Kellen Moore.

Rattler will get the first opportunity to make his case for the backup role behind Tyler Shough. Zach Wilson is competing for the second spot on the Saints' quarterback depth chart as well, and New Orleans also has Hunter Dekkers in the QB room. Rattler and Wilson are likely to both see plenty of preseason action as the Saints sort out their backup QB situation.

Tyson exited Thursday's practice early due to a possible hamstring injury, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, though it isn't believed to be a serious issue, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The biggest knock on Tyson coming out of Arizona was his lengthy injury history, including a hamstring injury suffered prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, in which the Saints selected Tyson eighth overall. It's not clear whether this latest hamstring issue is related to the previous injury. The team's early optimism suggests Tyson's availability for Week 1 against the Lions doesn't appear to be in jeopardy, but the rookie first-round pick is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars.

Tillman didn't practice Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Tillman can ill-afford a lengthy absence, as Jackson adds that the 2023 third-round draft pick could be on the wrong side of the roster bubble for the Browns, who will begin preseason play Saturday against the Bears. Rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston appear to have leapfrogged Tillman in a Browns wide receiver room that also includes Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond.

Flowers (quadriceps) is participating in team drills at Thursday's practice, Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner reports.

Flowers appears to be practicing without limitations Thursday, having progressed in his recovery after returning in limited fashion Tuesday from a left quadriceps contusion he sustained Saturday. Baltimore is expected to rest key starters for Saturday's preseason opener against the Eagles, so Flowers isn't expected to suit up despite being healthy.

Mahomes (knee) won't play in Kansas City's preseason opener against the Rams on Saturday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Mahomes has been progressing well in his recovery from a torn ACL that was surgically repaired in December. He has been cleared for 11-on-11 drills, but the Chiefs don't have much incentive to rush the star quarterback's return to game action. Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun will suit up at quarterback Saturday. Mahomes continues to target the Sept. 14 regular-season opener against the Broncos as his return date.

Head coach Dave Canales said Thursday that he's confident Hubbard (hamstring) will be available for the Panthers' regular-season opener against the Bears, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Canales revealed earlier Thursday that Hubbard is considered week-to-week due to a hamstring injury, but the head coach's clarification after Thursday's practice comes as a relief to Hubbard's prospective fantasy managers. Hubbard -- who had an MRI after feeling something grab in his hamstring during Wednesday's practice -- had originally been slated to work with Carolina's starters in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bills, but he will instead sit out while Jonathon Brooks will start, with Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon also mixing in at running back.

Brooks will start Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Carolina's original plan was for Brooks to mix in alongside Chuba Hubbard, but head coach Dave Canales revealed Thursday that Hubbard is considered week-to-week due to a hamstring injury, per Mike Kaye of ESPN.com. While Hubbard is expected to be ready for Week 1 action, per Canales via Joe Person of The Athletic, his current absence opens the door for Brooks to make a case for the top spot on a running back depth chart that also includes Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon.

Hubbard (hamstring) is considered week-to-week, head coach Dave Canales revealed Thursday, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.

Hubbard had been practicing without limitations but evidently sustained a hamstring injury in the lead-up to Carolina's second preseason game against the Bills on Saturday. The 27-year-old running back is unlikely to suit up during the preseason based on this timetable, and Hubbard's availability for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener will need to be monitored ahead of Week 1. Jonathon Brooks had been gaining momentum in Carolina's backfield competition even prior to Hubbard's injury. The Panthers also have Trevor Etienne, AJ Dillon, Anthony Tyus and Miles Davis in the backfield.