NFL Player News

Judkins (undisclosed) didn't practice Thursday, but coach Todd Monken said afterward that the running back is tending to "a little something nagging, nothing big," Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Judkins has missed back-to-back sessions due to an unspecified injury, but considering Monken's comment, the Browns nonetheless are taking a cautious approach with the second-year pro. As a rookie second-round pick in 2025, Judkins tallied 230 carries for 827 yards and seven touchdowns while hauling in 26 of 36 targets for 171 yards in 14 regular-season games before suffering a dislocated right ankle and broken right fibula Week 16 that required surgery. He was taking 11-on-11 drills as of mid-May and otherwise was back to 100 percent before the recent setback, health-wise. It's unclear if Judkins will suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Bills as a result.

Nacua was a non-participant at Thursday's joint practice with the Saints, Stu Jackson and Zach Edwards of the Rams' official site report.

Nacua has been a spectator at practice since departing last Tuesday's joint session with the Cowboys early, eventually getting diagnosed with soreness in his psoas. On Monday, coach Sean McVay said Nacua may not return to practice until next week, which now will be his next chance to mix back into drills. The Rams likely will continue to take it easy with Nacua to ensure he's healthy for a Week 1 matchup with the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Penix said that he's meeting with his doctor Thursday to see where his left knee stands, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

So far in training camp, Penix has been capped to 7-on-7 drills as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in his left knee Week 11 of last season. He noted that he's hoping to gain clearance, likely for 11-on-11 work, during Thursday's check-up, but he's unsure that'll occur. In any case, Penix continues to make progress in his recovery, but his limitations in practice seemingly has him behind Tua Tagovailoa in the competition to be the Falcons' starting QB to begin the campaign.

Coach Mike LaFleur said Beck (ribs) "most likely" won't suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Cowboys, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Beck impressed in the Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. However, he emerged from the contest with a rib injury, and the extent of his activity level since then has been individual drills. LaFleur added that Beck will throw after Thursday's practice, which will give the Cardinals a sense of where he stands in his recovery.

Coach Mike LaFleur said Thursday that Brissett won't suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

After a crisp preseason Week 1 in which he competed all five of his passes for 44 yards and one touchdown last Thursday at Las Vegas, Brissett will take a seat for the Cardinals' second exhibition, ceding the start to backup QB Gardner Minshew. Meanwhile, Carson Beck "most likely" won't be healthy enough to play through his rib injury, meaning Minshew and Kedon Slovis will handle signal-caller duties Saturday. After inking a reworked contract with Arizona in late July, Brissett again will lead the offense come Week 1.

Smith is listed as the No. 4 running back on the unofficial depth chart Kansas City released ahead of the preseason, Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star reports.

Smith has his work cut out for him to earn a role on offense, though the pecking order between Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson and Smith is far from set in stone behind lead back Kenneth Walker. Even if Smith fails to move up the depth chart, he has a decent chance of making the 53-man roster thanks to his contributions on special teams. General manager Brett Veach said that Smith "adds value as a dynamic speed element and his return game as a punt kick returner."

Demercado is listed as the No. 2 running back on the unofficial depth chart Kansas City released ahead of the preseason, Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star reports.

"Demercado is a veteran guy that has always been good in the pass protection game, and he's a reliable receiver," general manager Brett Veach said of the free-agent signing. The signing of Demercado was overshadowed by the addition of Kenneth Walker, who is expected to work as the team's lead back, but Veach's comments suggest Demercado could mix in for third downs and other passing situations. Rookie fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson and 2025 seventh-round pick Brashard Smith could challenge Demercado for the top backup spot.

Mendoza is expected to play the first half of Thursday's preseason game against the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mendoza will start Thursday and play roughly half the game, after which point Aidan O'Connell is scheduled to come in. This will be Mendoza's first start at the professional level, as Kirk Cousins started the preseason opener against Arizona before Mendoza threw for 97 yards and a touchdown in relief. Cousins remains the favorite to begin the regular season as the starter over the rookie first overall pick.

Downs is excited to play alongside veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, whom the Colts signed to a one-year contract Monday, Paul Bretl of USA Today Colts Wire reports.

Allen and Downs have overlapping skills sets, but both shifty wide receivers should get plenty of playing time given the Colts' lack of established alternatives at the position besides Alec Pierce (ankle), who is on the active/PUP list. Downs believes sharing the field with Allen will result in him seeing more one-on-one matchups. The 2023 third-round pick had a career-low 566 receiving yards in 2025 after recording 771 receiving yards in his rookie regular season and 803 receiving yards in 2024.

Blue (shoulder) will be limited in practice Thursday, per head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Blue was a non-participant earlier in the week, so Thursday's limited participation marks a step in the right direction. The 2025 fifth-round pick is battling fellow 2025 Day 3 draft pick Phil Mafah (chest) and Malik Davis for depth-chart positioning behind Javonte Williams. The Cowboys had been planning to give Blue a heavy workload throughout the preseason, but it's unclear if he'll be healthy enough to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals.