NFL Player News

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.

Moore (lower body) is participating in team drills Thursday, Matthew Bove of 7 News WKBW reports.

Moore was limited in practice Tuesday after getting banged up in preseason action Saturday against the Panthers. He has progressed back to full participation Thursday, indicating that the injury is no longer hampering him. Buffalo is battling injuries to its wide receiver room behind Moore, as Khalil Shakir (undisclosed), Keon Coleman (foot) and Skyler Bell (lower body) are all hurt.

Judkins (undisclosed) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Judkins has been absent for back-to-back practices due to an unspecified issue that coach Todd Monken describes as a "nagging injury" per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. His status for Saturday's preseason tilt against the Bills has yet to be determined at this point. Judkins is locked in as Cleveland's top backfield option on early downs, though fellow second-year pro Dylan Sampson figures to get some opportunities in passing situations.

Smith is scheduled to start Friday's preseason game against the Steelers, Connor Hughes of SNYtv reports.

Smith sat out the Jets' preseason opener due to a sore ankle, paving the way for rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik to get the start. The veteran starter has since recovered and is set for the first game action of his second stint with the Jets. Smith sits safely atop the team's QB depth chart, while Klubnik looks like the favorite to secure the backup role over Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook.

Shakir (undisclosed) didn't practice Tuesday due to an injury, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

The nature of Shakir's injury has not been revealed. He seems unlikely to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Browns, though no official declaration has come on that front. DJ Moore (lower body), Keon Coleman (foot) and Skyler Bell (lower body) are also dealing with injuries in Buffalo's banged-up wide receiver room.