
Jaxson Dart has solid preseason debut
He was listed as third on the depth chart, but rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart was the second man up after Russell Wilson during Saturday’s preseason opener. And Dart was solid. Dart entered after the opening drive. He finished the half at quarterback. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 154


Vikings WR Rondale Moore carted off with leg injury
Rondale Moore can’t catch a break. Moore, who didn’t play last season with a knee injury, was injured with 10:30 remaining in the second quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against Houston. He returned a Tommy Townsend punt 2 yards before Texans linebacker Jamal Hill tackled him along the sideline. Moore


Jaguars put CB Levi Wallace on IR
Cornerback Levi Wallace’s bid to make the Jaguars has come to an end. The Jags placed Wallace on injured reserve Saturday. Defensive back Aydan White was signed to the 90-man roster. White was waived by the Jaguars when they signed Wallace last weekend, so he won’t have much catching up


Shedeur Sanders tells Tony Grossi to “say something positive about me”
After Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made an impressive NFL debut in Cleveland’s preseason opener, he had a largely playful message for veteran reporter Tony Grossi. In a video from inside the bowels of Bank of America Stadium, Sanders is seen saying this to Grossi: “Tony, I be hoping you got


Bengals S Geno Stone to miss time with a soft tissue injury
Bengals safety Geno Stone will be sidelined for a bit after getting hurt in Thursday’s preseason opener. Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters at a press conference that Stone is week-to-week with a soft tissue injury. Stone played four snaps against the Eagles and Taylor does not expect him back


Russell Wilson leads Giants to a field goal on his only drive in preseason debut
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson played one drive in his preseason debut today against the Bills, and the Giants got a field goal out of it. Wilson threw short passes exclusively on the 12-play, 30-yard drive that ended with a Graham Gano 53-yard field goal. Wilson went 6-for-7 for 28 yards


Shedeur Sanders: “I felt like me out there”
Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has become a polarizing figure, for a variety of reasons. Right or wrong, logical or illogical, fair or unfair, Shedeur has fans and detractors. The fans are celebrating his performance in Cleveland’s preseason openers. The detractors are quick to call what he did meaningless. And,


Morice Norris posts that he’s “all good” after scary injury cut Lions’ game short
The injury suffered by Lions safety Morice Norris on Friday night in Atlanta was so scary that the teams agreed to end the game early as Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance at the start of the fourth quarter. But by Saturday morning, Norris was sharing positive


One-city Big Shield book tour is coming
Big Shield arrives in 10 days. Already, it has more preorders than the three prior novels (Father of Mine, Son of Mine, On Our Way Home) combined. It makes sense, since we’re selling a football book on a football website. And it’s going to do well, because it’s an entertaining


Mike Vrabel on Drake Maye’s miscue: “That’s a bad decision”
During Friday night’s preseason opener against the Commanders, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye tried turn nothing into something. It turned into something bad for the Patriots. Maye tried to force a throw while being sacked. He fumbled. (It looked a little like a play that was attempted against Washington by an


Mike Tomlin suggests Aaron Rodgers won’t play in the preseason
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will face his most recent former team in 29 days. Will he be ready for Week 1 at the Jets? If he is, it apparently won’t be a result of playing in the preseason. In a conversation with Bob Labriola of the team’s official website, coach


Kevin Stefanski isn’t “diving into” the quarterback competition, after Shedeur Sanders’s debut
Opportunity knocked on Friday night for Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He swung the door open. Sanders took 47 snaps in the preseason opener, accounting for 68 percent of the offense. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He added 19 rushing yards on four


DeMaurice Smith would not have hidden the collusion ruling
The most stunning, and underreported, development of the summer came from the news that the NFL and the NFL Players Association hid for more than five months the 61-page ruling in a collusion grievance regarding fully-guaranteed player contracts. The NFL won, but the NFLPA secured a finding of an attempt


Tom Brady’s statue is unveiled
The Patriots revealed quarterback Tom Brady’s bronze likeness to the world on Friday night. The debut of Brady’s statue was far less eventful than the unveiling of Rocky’s statue. It actually sounded a little like the ill-fated Tom Brady roast from May 2024, with Brady poking fun at himself and


Report: Russell Wilson to start for Giants Saturday
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was coy this week when asked about the team’s plans at quarterback beyond finding time for first-round pick Jaxson Dart to play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Bills, but it looks like they’ll also be giving another newcomer some playing time. Art Stapleton of


Dave Canales: We want to see better discipline from Xavier Legette
The Panthers didn’t plan to have second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette play their entire preseason game with the Browns on Friday night, but they were looking to pull him on their terms rather than having the officials do it for them. Legette was ejected during the team’s second offensive series


Browns RB Quinshon Judkins waives right to speedy trial
Browns second-round pick Quinshon Judkins has not been with the team since his July arrest for misdemeanor battery/domestic violence in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and it remains unclear when the running back’s situation might change. Judkins’s attorney filed a waiver of his client’s right to a speedy trial in Broward County


Brian Schottenheimer calls Micah Parsons day-to-day with back tightness
After Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons failed to make an appearance at Thursday’s practice, there was word that he was getting treatment for back tightness during the session. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that during a Friday press conference and called Parsons day-to-day regarding the back issue. Parsons was not


Pete Carroll: Starting offense will play “quite a bit” in second preseason game
The Raiders opened Thursday night’s preseason game with the Seahawks with their starting offense on the field, but they didn’t stick around long. Quarterback Geno Smith and most other first-stringers were done after one series of work, which head coach Pete Carroll said was by design in a Friday videoconference.


Spencer Rattler will start at quarterback in Saints’ first preseason game
Spencer Rattler will be the starting quarterback when the Saints open the preseason on Sunday against the Chargers. Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Rattler will get the start, second-round rookie Tyler Shough will go next, and Jake Haener will play third. “We’ll start Spencer in the game, and then


Raheem Morris: Dan Campbell and I agreed to run out the clock after Morice Norris injury
After Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance early in the fourth quarter of Friday’s preseason game in Atlanta, Falcons coach Raheem Morris spoke with Lions coach Dan Campbell, and they both agreed to stop playing. Morris said after the game that he and Campbell


MRI reveals heel bruise for Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue
Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue escaped serious injury after having his foot stepped on during Thursday’s practice. After practice, Blue told Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he injured his ankle. However, Harris reports that an MRI revealed only a bone bruise in Blue’s heel. Blue is wearing


Jim Harbaugh says Najee Harris has “a chance” to play Week One
It’s still not clear whether the eye injury suffered by Chargers running back Najee Harris in a Fourth of July fireworks accident will keep him off the field for the start of the regular season. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about Harris today and didn’t give a clear


Cowboys place OG Rob Jones on IR, sign RB Malik Davis
With rookie Jaydon Blue expected to miss Saturday’s preseason opener against the Rams with a heel bruise, the Cowboys needed insurance at running back. They signed running back Malik Davis on Friday. Davis was with the Cowboys past three seasons and for two months of the offseason program. He has


Chargers will move Joe Alt to left tackle after Rashawn Slater injury
With Rashawn Slater out for the season, the Chargers have come up with a solution for left tackle. Via multiple reporters, head coach Jim Harbaugh said in his Friday press conference that right tackle Joe Alt will slide over to take over the position. Swing tackle Trey Pipkins will then


Drew Brees believes he’d instantly be a top-three game analyst
Drew Brees spent the 2021 season with NBC. He served as the booth analyst for two NFL games. That’s what he wants to do. He’ll get the chance with Netflix on Christmas Day. And he believes he’ll do very well. “I get the feeling that the perception is that somehow,


Lions: Morice Norris is in stable condition, with movement in extremities
The Lions have shared good news regarding safety Morice Norris, after a serious injury resulted in his departure from Friday night’s preseason game by ambulance. “Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities,” the team said in a statement. “He will remain at


Ladd McConkey is back at practice for the Chargers
The Chargers suffered a major blow at Thursday’s practice when left tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon, but there was better news on the injury front on Friday. Reporters in Los Angeles shared that wide receiver Ladd McConkey was in uniform and on the field for the start of


49ers bring back QB Tanner Mordecai, place WR Equanimeous St. Brown on IR
The 49es re-signed quarterback Tanner Mordecai to a one-year deal, the team announced Friday. In a corresponding move, the 49ers placed wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown on injured reserve. Mordecai originally entered the NFL after signing with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He was cut out


Dan Campbell gives positive update on Morice Norris
Lions safety Morice Norris was transported to an Atlanta hospital Friday night after taking a knee to the head. Lions coach Dan Campbell offered an update after the game was suspended, with the final 14:50 unplayed. “Obviously thoughts and prayers with Mo Norris,” Campbell said. “We got some positive information


Lions-Falcons game ends early after S Morice Norris leaves in ambulance
Lions safety Morice Norris was transported off the field in an ambulance, prompting the Lions and Falcons to agree to suspend the rest of Friday night’s preseason game. Falcons running back Nathan Carter ran for 8 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Norris went low to


Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders throws two touchdown passes
Browns fans will be calling for Shedeur Sanders to win the starting job after his performance Friday night. The rookie quarterback created a buzz by completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders led the Browns on three touchdown drives on his nine series, not counting


TreVeyon Henderson opens NFL career with 100-yd kickoff return touchdown
The Mike Vrabel era started off with a bang for the Patriots. Second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson caught Commanders punter Tress Way’s kickoff at the goal line and the running back started up the left sideline with a jolt of speed that catapulted him past several defenders. Henderson cut back to


Dak Prescott confident Micah Parsons will get extension: 11 is a Cowboy
When Micah Parsons asked the Cowboys for a trade a week ago, Dak Prescott texted the Cowboys star edge rusher two words. “F—, man,” Prescott said he wrote to Parsons. “It wasn’t f— you, Micah. Or f— them,” Prescott told Jori Epstein of USA Today. “It’s more of a f—


Xavier Legette, Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after fighting in Friday’s preseason game
Things have gotten chippy in Charlotte early in Friday night’s preseason game. Panthers receiver Xavier Legette and Browns safety Rayshwan Jenkins were ejected with 6:36 left in the first quarter. The skirmish began at the end of Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard’s run for no gain. Legette threw several punches


Colts place RB Salvon Ahmed, CB Justin Walley on IR
The Colts made several roster moves Friday, including placing running back Salvon Ahmed and cornerback Justin Walley on injured reserve. Ahmed and Walley are out for the season. Ahmed injured his ankle on a hip-drop tackle by Trey Washington in practice, and Walley, a third-round pick, tore his ACL in


Report: C.J. Gardner-Johnson could return in time for Week 1
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has gone from fearing a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear to possibly playing in the season opener. The Texans safety injured his knee Thursday, and it initially appeared a serious injury. An MRI later showed his ACL intact, however. Now, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that further testing


Sam Hartman starting at QB for the Commanders, who have 30 inactives
The Commanders are playing only one starter in Friday night’s preseason opener against New England. His name is not Jayden Daniels. Cornerback Trey Amos is the only “obvious” starter on offense or defense who is active for Washington, Nicki Jhabvala of TheAthletic.com reports. The Commanders announced Sam Hartman will start


Cowboys claim OL Nick Broeker off of waivers
The Cowboys placed a pair of offensive linemen on injured reserve Friday and they added one to the roster in another move. The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that they have claimed guard Nick Broeker off of waivers. Broeker was dropped by the Steelers on Thursday. Friday’s report also shows


Geno Smith, Maxx Crosby flip off Seahawks fan
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith played five seasons in Seattle, three as the Seahawks starter, before the team traded him to Las Vegas. There apparently is no love lost. Smith was caught by photographs and videographers flipping a fan a double bird before the preseason game in Seattle on Thursday night.


Bears are “extremely focused” on building an indoor stadium in suburban Arlington Heights
The Bears say they are committed to leaving Soldier Field and the city of Chicago so that they can build an indoor stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. Bears owner George McCaskey said today that the team’s plans are for a “transformative” stadium that would bring major events to the Chicago


Rob Gronkowski will replace Jimmy Johnson on Fox NFL Sunday
The retirement of Jimmy Johnson opened a seat at the Fox NFL Sunday desk. The seat will be replaced by a current part-time member of the cast. Via Reuters.com, Fox has announced that former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski will replace Johnson. Gronkowski, 36, joins Curt Menefee, Terry


Trial in sexual assault lawsuit against Jerry Jones is delayed, again
The wheels of justice often move as slowly as the negotiation of a Dallas Cowboys player contract. Via Matt Kyle of the Dallas Morning News, the trial of a sexual assault lawsuit against Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been delayed again. Most recently, it was due to begin on Monday,


Taylor Heinicke will start Sunday’s preseason game for the Chargers
Trey Lance and Taylor Heinicke are competing for the backup quarterback job behind Justin Herbert. The official depth chart lists Lance OR Heinicke as the No. 2. Lance started the Hall of Fame Game, and Heinicke will get his turn Sunday against the Saints, Eric Smith of the team website


Browns plan for Shedeur Sanders to take about 50 snaps vs. Panthers
Shedeur Sanders will have an extended debut for his first preseason action on Friday night. Via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told the team’s radio broadcast on Thursday that Sanders will play the majority of the contest against the Panthers. When it comes to a


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,


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


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


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


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