Sean McVay wants to see Stetson Bennett “keep taking steps in the right direction”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with a disc issue in his back, but he wouldn’t be playing in Saturday’s preseason matchup with the Cowboys anyway. Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay hasn’t played starters or other players of significance in the preseason for the vast majority of his tenure,
Cody Ford In Lead For Bengals Starting Job; Dylan Fairchild Entrenched At LG
Defense understandably became the primary Bengals offseason focus, given the events of 2024, but the team will almost definitely have a rookie starting on offense. Despite not being drafted until No. 81 overall, Dylan Fairchild appears a safe bet to begin his rookie season as a starter. The Bengals have
Broncos fear Matt Henningsen will miss the season with Achilles injury
Broncos defensive lineman Matt Henningsen may be out for the season. Henningsen suffered an Achilles injury during the team’s joint practice Thursday with the 49ers, and the team fears it will end his season, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. A final diagnosis won’t be made until Henningsen gets
Why Sanders got no first-team reps before first preseason start
Some outsiders have accused the Cleveland Browns of “sabotaging” Shedeur Sanders by not giving the rookie quarterback any first-team reps as he prepared to start Cleveland’s preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Friday night. For a piece updated early Friday afternoon, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain
David Ellison isn’t concerned about NFL exercising its right to end CBS deal early
The NFL’s broadcast deals include the ability to pull the plug if the network undergoes a change in control. CBS has undergone a change in control. The network’s new owner isn’t concerned about the NFL pulling the plug. “[T]hey still do have an out, but it’s not something that we’re
Bridgewater, Bucs, Pitts, Falcons, Panthers, C, Saints
The 2020 free agent class featured a few viable starting quarterbacks, helping the Buccaneers transition from the erratic Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay was closely connected to two of the available options — Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater. Reporting at the time made it fairly clear Bridgewater — who had spent
NFL begins lobbying Congress on ESPN deal
The agreement between the NFL and ESPN is “non-binding,” because it is non-approved by the federal government. The league has commenced the process of securing Uncle Sam’s blessing. Via Reuters, the NFL has performed outreach to 30 different congressional offices. The lobbying effort includes discussing the terms of the deal
Potential O-line depth options for Chargers without Rashawn Slater
In a shocking turn of events, Los Angeles Chargers starting left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon Thursday and will be sidelined for the season. Per the Chargers web site, the team shifted standout right tackle Joe Alt to left tackle in practice and inserted Trey Pipkins III
Tyreek Hill out of practice with oblique injury
The Dolphins don’t have one of their key offensive players for Friday’s joint practice with the Bears. Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters in his press conference that receiver Tyreek Hill won’t participate with an oblique issue. “He’s trying to practice,” McDaniel said, via David Furones of the South Florida
Giants Willing To Let Jaxson Dart Sit Throughout Season?
First-round quarterbacks almost never sit throughout their rookie seasons. The Packers have, of course, executed two such plans since 2005; select other teams have also kept Round 1 QB prospects on the bench — just not many. The Chiefs did not turn to Patrick Mahomes until Week 17 of his
Caleb Williams, most Bears starters will not play vs. Dolphins on Sunday
Caleb Williams’ preseason debut with Ben Johnson as his head coach will not come this weekend. Johnson told reporters in his Friday press conference that Williams and about 17 of the club’s other starters will not play in Sunday’s exhibition matchup against the Dolphins. Chicago is having a joint practice
Baker Mayfield reveals ‘luxury’ Buccaneers have on offense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield became the subject of some Most Valuable Player Award conversations regarding the 2025 regular season ahead of Tampa Bay’s preseason opener versus the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. During a Thursday appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Mayfield offered some high praise for running back and
Joe Burrow says Bengals’ offense plans “a huge role” for running back Chase Brown
Bengals running back Chase Brown got eight touches on Thursday night — four touches on each of the two possessions with Cincinnati’s first-string offense on the field — and Joe Burrow says that kind of workload will be the norm for Brown this season. “He’s playing a huge role for
T.J. Watt Aiming To Play Several More Seasons; Payton Wilson Moving Toward Steelers’ Starting Lineup
As the Steelers have another contract issue with Cameron Heyward, the other half of the team’s longstanding pass-rushing duo will attempt to follow his career path. T.J. Watt, the second member of the NFL’s $40MM-per-year defender club, is not aiming to call it quits in the near future. Although T.J.
Opportunity knocks for Shedeur Sanders
Some believe that the Browns, by starting rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in tonight’s preseason opener, are setting him up to fail. But not even the hopelessly dysfunctional Browns-is-the-Browns are that dysfunctional. They drafted him. Why would they want him to fail? Tonight, they need him. Presumptive Week 1 starter Joe
It sounds like Patrick Mahomes is truly planning ‘revenge tour’
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently acknowledged that the club’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this past February has given him “more motivation to be even better” during the upcoming season. For a piece published on Thursday night, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated sent
Rashawn Slater injury confirms the value of a hold-in
On one level, players who want new contracts are present but not practicing, in order to leverage their teams into giving them new deals. On another level, something far more important is happening. The players are avoiding a potentially serious injury. Consider the case of Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater. Taken
Texans S Jimmie Ward arrested for allegedly violating bail
Jimmie Ward is due in court next week for a hearing on his third-degree felony charge. That hearing had been postponed from mid-July to Aug. 13. In advance of that, the Texans safety was arrested again. The 34-year-old defender spent Thursday night in Montgomery County Jail after being arrested on an
ESPN assures NFL reporters that “nothing will change”
If/when the “non-binding agreement” between ESPN and the NFL becomes final and binding, the NFL will own 10 percent of ESPN. As recently explained, that will inevitably impact the manner in which ESPN covers the NFL. For now, ESPN is telling its NFL reporters that it won’t. “Of course I’m
Texans S Jimmie Ward Arrested For Violating Bail
Jimmie Ward is due in court next week for a hearing on his third-degree felony charge. That hearing had been postponed from mid-July to August 13. In advance of that, the Texans safety was arrested again. The 34-year-old defender spent Thursday night in Montgomery County Jail after being arrested on
Keaton Mitchell “a lot more confident” in knee this year
Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell burst on the scene by averaging more than eight yards per carry as a rookie in 2023, but a torn ACL cut his season short and limited him to seven lackluster appearances last season. There were signs of the old spark in Mitchell’s play on
Could Giants’ Jaxson Dart spark QB controversy?
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have proclaimed since the 2025 NFL Draft that veteran Russell Wilson is their starting quarterback over first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart. Nevertheless, analysts and Giants fans alike are wondering if Dart could spark a quarterback controversy if he performs well in New
Daniel Jones: Some good, some bad on Thursday and I’ll look to grow
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones was not expecting to do much in Thursday night’s game against the Ravens, but Anthony Richardson’s injury in the first quarter meant a change in plans for the veteran. Jones wound up playing 31 snaps and went 10-of-21 for 144 yards while leading the Colts to
49ers GM John Lynch has major doubt about Brandon Aiyuk
The receiver position remains uncertain in the case of the San Francisco 49ers with Week 1 drawing closer. Both star wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are sidelined through injury, and in each case, there is no firm timeline for a return. Aiyuk continues to rehab the ACL and
Ravens rookie LaJohntay Wester: I felt a punt return touchdown was coming
The biggest play of Thursday’s preseason game between the Ravens and Colts came on an Indianapolis punt late in the first quarter. Ravens sixth-round pick LaJohntay Wester fielded the ball, weaved through would-be tacklers and then flew up the sideline for an 87-yard touchdown that looked like something Wester’s college
Colts lose impressive rookie for the season due to devasting injury
Justin Walley had impressed during the offseason program and into training camp, pushing hard to start alongside Kenny Moore and Charvarius Ward. A major injury will change the Indianapolis cornerback equation. The Colts third-round rookie suffered an ACL tear. Shane Steichen confirmed postgame, via the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins. This comes
Anthony Richardson: I looked down and saw my finger in a different direction
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was supposed to play most of the first half of Thursday night’s game against the Ravens, but that plan went out the window on the team’s second offensive possession. Ravens edge rusher David Ojabo was unblocked on a passing play and he drilled Richardson for a
Micah Parsons, Jerry Jones aren’t at Thursday’s Cowboys practice
Micah Parsons has not practiced at Cowboys training camp this summer, but he has been in attendance in street clothes while his teammates go through drills. That changed on Thursday, however. Reporters at the practice noted that Parsons was absent from the workout. Those reporters also noted that Cowboys owner
Seahawks followed both their interceptions with unsportsmanlike celebration penalties
The Seahawks intercepted two passes in Thursday night’s preseason game against the Raiders. And they followed both interceptions with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The interceptions were by Josh Jobe and Nehemiah Pritchett, but the penalties weren’t on them. They were on the veterans on the Seahawks’ defense who weren’t even in
Xavier McKinney could miss the rest of training camp with a calf injury
Xavier McKinney has played 37 consecutive games, counting the postseason. The Packers safety insists he will keep that streak alive, promising a calf injury he irritated this week won’t keep him out of the season opener. McKinney, though, does expect to miss the rest of training camp and all three
Cam Ward threw ball into skirmish with Bucs
A training-camp skirmish on Thursday became target practice for Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the Titans for a joint practice before their preseason game Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. After a scuffle broke out, Ward lobbed a ball into the melee from afar, via
Lions put CB Ennis Rakestraw on IR
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week that cornerback Ennis Rakestraw will be out a while because of a shoulder injury and we learned just how long he’ll be out on Thursday. The Lions placed Rakestraw on injured reserve, which means he’ll miss the entire 2025 season unless he’s
Jets star reacts to controversial decision for preseason opener
First-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn surprised some members of the NFL community when he confirmed on Thursday that his starters will play in the team’s preseason opener at the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. While speaking with reporters after Glenn revealed his plans, Jets star cornerback Ahmad “Sauce”
Joe Burrow says Bengals’ offense must be better despite 2 TDs on 2 drives for starters
The Bengals’ first-string offense played two series in Thursday night’s preseason opener, and both series ended with Joe Burrow touchdown passes. But Burrow wasn’t satisfied afterward. “It’s good to play football again,” Burrow said. “I could’ve been better, I missed the first throw. I threw all the other ones where
Metcalf discusses connection with Rodgers after concerning report
Earlier this week, an alarming report suggested that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lacks chemistry with key wide receivers DK Metcalf and 2024 third-round draft pick Roman Wilson. During a Wednesday appearance on CBS Sports HQ, Metcalf insisted his connection with Rodgers is fine heading into Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against
Vontaze Burfict joins UNLV staff as defensive analyst
Vontaze Burfict is getting back in the game, albeit at the college level. Via Justin Williams of TheAthletic.com, Burfict has joined UNLV’s staff as a defensive analyst. Burfict is working under interim defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who was Burfict’s longtime linebackers position coach and coordinator with the Bengals. Burfict also
NFC WR confident that this QB can be best in NFL
The Chicago Bears enter the 2025 season in search of their first postseason win since 2010. One reason for optimism is quarterback Caleb Williams, who heads into his sophomore campaign after an up-and-down rookie year in 2024 that culminated in a 5-12 record. Despite his lack of experience in the
Colts lose third-round pick Justin Walley to torn ACL
Colts cornerback Justin Walley, a projected starter as a rookie third-round draft pick, is out for the season with a torn ACL. Walley suffered the injury on Tuesday in a joint practice with the Ravens, and on Thursday Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that the injury is season-ending. “Huge
Chargers LT Rashawn Slater carted off field
Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury during Thursday’s practice, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. It is unclear what the severity of the injury is, but if serious, it’s a major blow for the Chargers, with the season opener a month away. Slater recently signed a
Tyreek Hill back at practice Thursday
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill did not practice on Wednesday, but whatever kept him off the field isn’t a long-term issue. Hill was present and suited up for Thursday’s practice at the Bears’ facility in Chicago. Reporters at the practice said he worked on the side for most of the
Lions CB undergoes shoulder surgery, will miss 2025 season
Ennis Rakestraw will not play in 2025. The second-year corner was already known to be a candidate to miss time, but the Lions placed him on injured reserve Thursday. Only players released via an injury settlement are eligible to play after being moved to IR at this point in the offseason.
Travis Hunter: Playing both ways “not hard at all”
Jaguars first-round pick Travis Hunter is playing both offense and defense in his first NFL training camp and the double-duty isn’t causing him any extra stress. Hunter is used to playing both wide receiver and cornerback from his time at Colorado and it sounds like it has been business as
The ‘Most 100-rushing yard games in NFL history’ quiz
Derrick Henry is one of (if not the) best running backs of his generation, but even at 31 years old and coming off of a 1,921-yard, 16-touchdown season, he’s looking to improve. “There’s always room to grow,” he said. “A couple of times I got caught last year. So hopefully I
Report: Micah Parsons is dealing with back tightness
There’s nothing new to report about Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons’s bid for a new contract, but there is a new wrinkle to his ongoing impasse with the team. Parsons had been an observer at every training camp practice until he missed Thursday’s session. Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports that
Steelers Sign Andrus Peat, Logan Woodside
In advance of their first preseason game, the Steelers have made a pair of additions. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat and quarterback Logan Woodside were signed on Thursday, per a team announcement. Peat played for the Saints from 2015-23. During that span, the former first-rounder largely split his time between left tackle and
Jaydon Blue’s ankle injury has his availability for Saturday in question
Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue was injured during Thursday’s practice. Blue spun to the ground awkwardly after defensive end Sam Williams grabbed Blue’s facemask. He remained on the ground before taking a cart to the injury tent and later was escorted to the training room. Blue returned to the practice
Ravens rookie takes punt return for touchdown
The preseason sometimes feels pointless to fans, and for starters in the NFL, it can be a dangerous time where they could get hurt in what is ultimately a meaningless game. For fringe roster players and late-round draft picks, though, playing well in the preseason can literally be the difference
Ravens rookie CB Bilhal Kone carted off with a left knee injury
Ravens rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone was injured with 12 seconds left in the first quarter of Thursday night’s preseason game. He immediately grabbed his left knee, and his teammates motioned for the training staff. The sixth-round draft pick had his leg placed in a vacuum splint and was carted off
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/25
Here are Thursday’s minor moves: Arizona Cardinals Buffalo Bills Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions Signed: TE Steven Stilianos Los Angeles Chargers Signed: TE Thomas Yassmin Waived/injured: TE Jordan Petaia New York Giants Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Ty Summers San Francisco 49ers Tennessee Titans Hernandez received full clearance after
Report: Bilhal Kone tore his ACL, MCL in Thursday’s preseason game
It looked back when it happened. It looked bad based on John Harbaugh’s reaction. It unfortunately apparently is bad. Ravens rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in Thursday’s preseason game against the Colts, Jordan Schultz reports. Kone will miss his entire rookie season.
















































