Stephen A. Smith publicly challenges Packers QB Jordan Love
When Green Bay Packers franchise quarterback Jordan Love is healthy and firing on all cylinders, he’s proved to be one of the more exciting young signal-callers in the NFL. ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith believes Love is an extremely talented quarterback, but he did challenge the former first-round pick
Baker Mayfield, nearly all Bucs starters will play vs. Steelers
The vast majority of the Buccaneers starters are set to see playing time on Saturday against the Steelers. Via multiple reporters, head coach Todd Bowles said following Thursday’s joint practice with Pittsburgh that every starter but receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David will play in the preseason matchup. That
The ‘NFL rookie passing leaders’ quiz
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams spent his first preseason game watching from the sidelines. But after some struggles in camp from the offense as a whole, new head coach Ben Johnson told the media “ everyone’s going to play,” in their upcoming preseason contest against Buffalo. It was a rough
Chargers sign CB Harrison Hand
The Chargers signed cornerback Harrison Hand, the team announced Thursday. In a corresponding move, the team waived wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick with an injury designation. Hand entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 2022. He has appeared in 27 games with the Vikings and Bears, making
49ers Place T Andre Dillard On IR
The 49ers look to have moved to a swing tackle decision; an injury will lead to an easier call. San Francisco placed Andre Dillard on IR on Thursday. Barring a belated return after an injury settlement, this move will keep Dillard out of the picture for the 49ers this season.
Isaiah Bond, who went undrafted after sexual assault accusation, will not face charges
Former Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who went undrafted after he was arrested in a sexual assault investigation and has not signed with any NFL team as an undrafted rookie, is no longer in any legal jeopardy and says he plans to sign with the Browns. The sexual assault case
NFL backup quarterback ratings for 2025
A major injury suffered by a starting quarterback can ruin a season if an NFL team doesn’t have a solid backup plan. Ahead of the regular season, which begins Sept. 4, Yardbarker NFL writers rate the backup QB situations of every NFL team on a scale of “1” (dynamic) to “5”
Jordan Love could have played through his injury but timing worked out for surgery
Jordan Love said initially he didn’t think his left thumb injury was serious. Love actually tore his ulnar collateral ligament, which sometimes is called “skier’s thumb,” on the final play of the first preseason game Saturday. Dr. Steven Shin, a hand specialist in Los Angeles, operated on Love on Tuesday.
Court Rules Brian Flores Discrimination Case Against NFL, Three Teams Can Go To Trial
Brian Flores is an active NFL defensive coordinator, helping the Vikings into a top-five defensive ranking last season. His discrimination lawsuit, stemming from his Dolphins dismissal and time on the HC interview circuit, remains ongoing. And the veteran staffer scored a big victory Thursday. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of
Josh Downs injures hamstring in Colts practice
Wide receiver Josh Downs’s health will be something to monitor for upcoming Colts practices. Reporters at Thursday’s practice said Downs reached for his left hamstring as he walked off the field to consult with trainers. Downs then went inside the facility for further examination. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that
NFL under fire for decision on Chiefs WR Rashee Rice
The Kansas City Chiefs appeared to receive an early gift from the NFL regarding wide receiver Rashee Rice’s looming suspension. The third-year receiver is set to have a disciplinary hearing on Sept. 30 after he pleaded guilty to collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury.
Bills re-sign TE Matt Sokol
The Bills made a move at tight end Thursday. The team announced it has re-signed Matt Sokol after waiving him earlier this week. Sokol, 29, originally joined the Bills on July 22. Sokol has spent time with the Chargers (2020), Patriots (2023) and Steelers (2024). In his career, he has
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/25
August 14th, 2025 at 7:36pm CST by Sam Robinson Here are Thursday’s minor moves: Atlanta Falcons Buffalo Bills Detroit Lions Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Los Angeles Chargers New Orleans Saints Seattle Seahawks Signed: FB Wesley Steiner Waived: LB Michael Dowell Tennessee Titans Follow @PFRumors This content was brought to you
Report: NFLPA puts in-house counsel Heather McPhee on paid leave
The NFL Players Association continues to generate headlines for less-than-ideal reasons. Via Don Van Natta Jr. and Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, the NFLPA placed in-house counsel Heather McPhee on paid administrative leave on Tuesday, after (per the ESPN report) multiple employees filed complaints with the union’s H.R. department about her.
Rams’ update on QB Matthew Stafford isn’t promising
The Los Angeles Rams are finding out just how difficult back problems can be. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has missed training camp this summer due to an aggravated disc in his back. He participated in a workout on Saturday before the Rams’ first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on
Why is Rashee Rice’s case being delayed?
On July 17, Vikings receiver Jordan Addison resolved a DUI citation by pleading guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge, with no jail time. He’ll miss the first three games of the regular season. On July 17, Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice pleaded guilty to a pair of felonies arising from a
Commanders Sign WR River Cracraft, DB Daryl Worley
Daryl Worley has reached an agreement to join a 10th NFL team. The veteran defensive back, whom the Titans turned to as a fill-in starter last season, is joining the Commanders, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. Washington, which also added wide receivers River Cracraft and Mike Strachan (via Jhabvala), is
J.J. McCarthy has extreme confidence in his accuracy
To be successful, an NFL quarterback needs to have confidence. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is brimming with it. Asked about his passing skills by reporters on Thursday, McCarthy was blunt. “I think I’m one of the, you know, most accurate guys out there,” McCarthy said, “and just being able to
Three NFL teams facing Super Bowl-or-bust expectations in 2025
Saying a team is facing championship-or-bust expectations is a dangerous game. The odds are always stacked against any one team, no matter how talented they are, and every season ends with one team hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. However, that doesn’t stop fans from placing those expectations on their respective
NFL Films blames suspension of offseason Hard Knocks on social media
In 2024, offseason Hard Knocks succeeded because it failed. And that kept it from returning in 2025. Basically, the Giants did a bad job of exercising their right to edit the episodes. Which made them far more compelling and raw and ultimately honest. “One of the best, and most interesting,
AFC West Notes: Broncos, Adams, Perryman
August 14th, 2025 at 6:51pm CST by Sam Robinson Nik Bonitto played in the Broncos‘ preseason opener but will miss some time leading up to the season. The 2024 All-Pro selection is down because of a procedure to have a bone spur removed in the top of his foot, per
NFL will continue to put social justice message in end zones
Whether the league will admit it or not, it’s currently engaged in a high-wire regarding diversity initiatives, with a desire to do the objectively right thing on one hand and an urgency to placate certain political forces on the other. As it relates to the messages that have been painted
Consider J.J. McCarthy update a vote of confidence from Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have seen what they needed to see thus far from second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. On Thursday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed McCarthy won’t play in their second preseason game against the New England Patriots Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. Backup QB Sam Howell is set to
Justin Herbert says he requested to play in the preseason
Justin Herbert has never played in the preseason. He will play in this preseason. The Chargers quarterback asked coach Jim Harbaugh to suit up and get some snaps, something he has never done in his career. Herbert will start and play a few plays against the Rams on Saturday. “It
Cardinals’ Calais Campbell Anticipates Retiring After 2025 Season
Retirement has been a talking point surrounding Calais Campbell for years now. The 2010s All-Decade Team member is set to play in 2025, but it could mark the end of the road in his case. When asked on Thursday if the coming campaign will be his last, Campbell said (via Bleacher
With Tyrod Taylor rehabbing, Jets work out Nathan Peterman, C.J. Beathard
The Jets won’t have backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor for the rest of training camp. Coach Aaron Glenn said the Jets “hopefully” will have Taylor for Week 1 to back up Justin Fields. In the meantime, the Jets need a camp arm to join Fields, Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook. To
Pro Bowl guard announces retirement
Brandon Scherff remains unsigned deep into free agency, and no late-summer deal will be forthcoming in his case. The Pro Bowl guard has retired. No announcements have been made on Scherff’s part with respect to a decision on his future. However, a summary of his induction into the Iowa Athletics Hall
Broncos, Cardinals will not play starters Saturday
The Broncos and Cardinals had a joint practice Thursday. That will serve as the work those teams first-teamers get against another team this week. Broncos coach Sean Payton said both teams will rest most of their starters in Saturday night’s preseason game. “Neither [Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon] or myself are
G Brandon Scherff Retires
Brandon Scherff remains unsigned deep into free agency, and no late-summer deal will be forthcoming in his case. The Pro Bowl guard has retired. No announcements have been made on Scherff’s part with respect to a decision on his future. However, a summary of his induction into the Iowa Athletics Hall
Calais Campbell expects 2025 to be his final season
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell started his NFL career with the Cardinals and he expects to end it with the team as well. Campbell spent his first nine seasons in Arizona and returned to the team this offseason after playeing for four other teams over the last eight seasons. Campbell didn’t
Flawed NFL arbitration process under fire after Gruden, Flores rulings
It’s a good thing for the NFL that it uses a shield as its logo, because this week, the league needed protection. The courts handed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a second defeat since Monday with a ruling in Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ anti-discrimination lawsuit against the league. On
Jerry Jones continues to believe all publicity is good publicity
While it’s likely that some within the NFL’s overall apparatus will find a reason to formulate four-letter words about things said and/or written by ESPN employees once the NFL owns 10 percent of the four-letter network, one person will never complain. Cowboys owner and G.M. Jerry Jones does not care
RB Matt Breida To Retire
Matt Breida‘s NFL career has come to an end. The veteran running back is retiring, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Per Fowler, Breida was recently offered a workout with the Dolphins, but he declined. Miami was in the market for a veteran backfield addition in the wake of Alexander Mattison‘s season-ending neck
J.J. McCarthy won’t play in Vikings’ Week 2 preseason game
As joint practices become more prevalent, coaches strongly prefer getting work for their key players there, in lieu of preseason games. That’s the case for the Vikings and quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Thursday that McCarthy won’t play in the Week 2 preseason game against the
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins Will Not Face Charges
Quinshon Judkins will be available to the Browns as planned in 2025. The rookie running back will not face charges following investigations into allegations of domestic violence, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. An arrest took place in Florida one month ago on charges of battery and domestic violence. The counts in
Nik Bonitto had bone spur removed from foot, Broncos expect him back next week
Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto has missed the team’s last few practices, but head coach Sean Payton said that his absence has nothing to do with his contract. Bonitto is extension-eligible this offseason and there’s been word of talks about a new deal, so it wasn’t out of left field
One-time Super Bowl champion rips ‘attention-seeking’ Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones generated numerous sports headlines when he said at a recent event that he will do his part “to get [the Cowboys] looked at” if he feels “we’re not being looked at” by media outlets. During Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take” program, former
49ers believe fourth-round DL CJ West avoided serious knee injury
49ers rookie defensive tackle CJ West had to leave Thursday’s practice after hurting his knee, but it doesn’t appear to be a major injury. West went down during a pass rush drill in the 49ers’ joint practice with the Raiders and then limped off the field. After practice, head coach
Patriots S Kyle Dugger Demoted To Backup
Kyle Dugger‘s name recently emerged as one to watch regarding a trade or release from the Patriots. The veteran safety’s status has come into question largely as a result of his demotion. Dugger has taken snaps with the Patriots’ second-team defense in a number of practices, as detailed by Doug
Matt LaFleur: Jordan Love’s surgery went well
There’s some positive news on the injury front for the Packers. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Thursday that quarterback Jordan Love’s procedure to repair a ligament in his left thumb was successful. “Surgery went well,” LaFleur said, via Ashley Washburn of TMJ4 Milwaukee. “He’s in great spirits and
Pickett trying to keep Browns’ QB competition alive through preseason finale
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett won’t play in Saturday’s game at the Philadelphia Eagles as Pickett continues his recovery from the lingering hamstring injury that sidelined him for Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8. While speaking
Aaron Rodgers, most Steelers starters won’t play vs. Bucs on Saturday
Pittsburgh’s plan for playing time in the second week of the preseason will largely be the same as the first. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters in his Thursday press conference that most starters will not play in Saturday’s matchup against the Buccaneers. That means players like Aaron Rodgers,
Cameron Fleming Works Out With Commanders; T Visited Chargers
The Commanders recently hosted George Fant on a free agent visit, but he is not the only veteran offensive tackle to receive a look. Cameron Fleming headed to Washington earlier today, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Fleming has put together a journeyman career, although since 2021 he has played exclusively for the
Rashee Rice’s hearing will happen before Judge Sue L. Robinson
When Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has his disciplinary hearing on September 30, it will indeed happen before Judge Sue L. Robinson. The retired judge, who handled the Deshaun Watson case three years ago, serves as the disciplinary officer under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. The Rice case will be her
Hero RB explained: Top fantasy football targets for 2025
Cons of Hero RB Strategy The biggest drawback to this strategy is that it places your fantasy success squarely on the shoulders of your first-round running back staying healthy and delivering consistent production. Christian McCaffrey, for example, still offers elite upside, but his injury history makes his Hero RB outlook
NFL running backs keep getting squeezed
If you think running backs are back, think again. Yes, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs did plenty to illustrate the value of great running backs in 2024. The league nevertheless continues to devalue the position. Case in point: The deals recently signed by Bills running back James Cook
Hearing Date Set For Chiefs WR Rashee Rice
The matter of potential league discipline in the case of Rashee Rice is still unresolved at this point. That will continue through the start of the coming season. The third-year Chiefs wideout has long been viewed as a candidate for a suspension stemming from his involvement in a March 2024 hit-and-run incident.
Commanders sign WR River Cracraft, DB Daryl Worley
The Commanders added a pair of experienced players to their roster on Thursday. The team announced the signings of wide receiver River Cracraft and defensive back Daryl Worley to their 90-man roster. They waived wide receiver Michael Strachan. Cracraft has appeared in 53 games for three teams over the last
Will preseason reps erase Caleb Williams’ struggles?
As expected, first-year Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson revealed that quarterback Caleb Williams and other starters will play in this Sunday’s preseason home game against the Buffalo Bills. For an article published on Thursday, The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg suggested that Williams could benefit from the extra reps at Soldier Field. “As
Nick Bosa will not participate in 49ers joint practice with Raiders
The Raiders’ offensive line will get a bit of a break in Thursday’s joint practice with the 49ers. Via Matt Maiocco of NBCSportsBayArea.com, San Francisco edge rusher Nick Bosa will not participate in the session due to soreness. Bosa’s specific injury has not been disclosed. Left guard Ben Bartch is