2025 NFL Preseason Buzz: Rashee Rice Suspended; Travis Hunter at ‘Full Pace’

Signings, accidents, followers getting mad at house owners — between coaching camp and the official begin of the preseason, NFL information has been nonstop.

You may observe together with all the most recent and most notable free agent strikes right here. 

This is the most recent on what’s occurring across the league this preseason.

Rice will start his suspension in Week 1 of the 2025 season and can final for six video games. He’ll miss matchups in opposition to the Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Ravens, Jaguars and Lions. The NFL handed down its suspension, which Rice is not going to enchantment, after its personal inner investigation. He shall be eligible to return in opposition to the Raiders in Week 7.

Six weeks in the past, Rice pleaded responsible to 2 third-degree felony expenses of collision involving critical bodily harm and racing on a freeway inflicting bodily harm. As a part of a plea settlement from the March 2024 crash on a Dallas freeway, prosecutors stated, he additionally acquired a sentence of 5 years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail.

Hunter is “rolling full pace” after lacking the ultimate two video games of the preseason with an upper-body harm, basic supervisor James Gladstone stated Wednesday. When requested about Hunter’s availability for subsequent week’s season opener, Gladstone stated Hunter is sweet to go. “He is on the grass in the present day and rolling full pace,” Gladstone stated.

The Jaguars had been taking a cautious strategy with Hunter, who was injured throughout a scrimmage two weeks in the past. After sitting out these two video games, Hunter was current however solely took half in particular person drills for the Jaguars’ joint apply Aug. 21. The 22-year-old rookie — a uncommon, two-way participant — was the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and second total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft. 

He noticed motion on each offense and protection within the first half of Jacksonville’s first preseason sport on Aug. 9. He began at extensive receiver on the sport’s opening drive, enjoying 10 of 11 snaps and recording two catches for 9 yards. He then debuted at cornerback on the Steelers’ second offensive drive, recording 5 snaps (zero defensive stats).

Texans RB Joe Mixon’s 2025 standing up within the air

Mixon has been coping with an ankle harm all through coaching camp and the preseason, and he was subsequently positioned on the reserve/non-football harm record. He’ll miss the primary 4 video games of the 2025 season. It is unclear, although, if Mixon, who led Houston in dashing yards a 12 months in the past, will return after these 4 video games are up. “We’ll take it in the future at a time,” Texans GM Nick Caserio stated when requested about whether or not Mixon would swimsuit up for this season, per ESPN.

As of Aug. 26, all 32 NFL groups have formally named their Week 1 beginning quarterback. Rattler bought the nod for the Saints’ Week 1 matchup in opposition to the Cardinals, beating out second-round rookie Tyler Shough for the job. 

“We’re not entering into this QB debate all through the season,” head coach Kellen Moore stated. “Spencer’s our beginning quarterback. Tyler’s gonna proceed to develop. We’re actually enthusiastic about Spencer. We expect he’s gonna do an superior job for us.” Rattler, who the Saints took within the fifth spherical of final 12 months’s draft, went 0-6 within the video games he began final 12 months, throwing for 1,317 yards, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. 

Cleveland has traded third-year signal-caller Pickett to Las Vegas for a fifth-round decide in subsequent 12 months’s draft. He is now simply the second participant previously 30 seasons to be traded three-plus occasions inside his first 4 NFL seasons. Veteran Joe Flacco was just lately named the Browns’ beginning quarterback, with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders competing for the backup spot. Additionally they launched the opposite signal-caller on their roster, Tyler Huntley, on Aug. 24. 

Sanders impressed in his preseason debut in opposition to the Panthers on Aug. 8, finishing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. A highly-rated draft prospect who endured a dramatic fall into the fifth spherical in April, Sanders then missed the Browns’ preseason sport in opposition to the Eagles on Aug. 16 with an indirect harm. The Browns are “optimistic” he’ll bounce again rapidly. Gabriel can be coping with a hamstring harm.

Coming into the final 12 months of his present deal, Meyers has requested for a commerce after extension talks fell quick, NFL Media reported. The Raiders reportedly don’t have any plans to maneuver Meyers, although. Meyers had a profession 12 months in 2024, recording 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is due $10.76 million for the upcoming season.

Jackson is about to apply subsequent week after lacking the preseason due to blood clots, probably placing him in line to have the ability to play within the season opener vs. the Texans on Sept. 7. Coach Sean McVay stated Jackson will resume workforce actions subsequent Monday and expects him to be a full participant all through the buildup to the Rams’ house opener. Jackson signed a three-year, $57 million contract in February after beginning 29 video games over the previous two seasons. The 27-year-old Jackson missed the ultimate 9 video games of the 2022 season due to blood clots. McVay believes the Rams have a deal with on the way to wean Jackson off blood-thinning remedy to permit him to play this season.

Harmon, whom Pittsburgh chosen with the No. 21 decide within the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon, was identified with an MCL sprain and can miss not less than one month, in response to NFL Community. Harmon was carted off through the Steelers’ Week 3 preseason matchup in opposition to the Panthers with a knee harm.

Bengals nonetheless deciding on beginning guard

Head coach Zac Taylor hasn’t selected a beginning proper guard for Week 1 and does not have a timeline to take action simply but. Lucas Patrick, Cody Ford and Jalen Rivers are nonetheless battling it out for the spot as coaching camp reaches its finish.

“We’ve had guys battling by way of accidents nearly all the time,” Taylor stated. “I don’t assume any schedule we’d have had on would have been capable of get up as a result of guys have been combating by way of completely different stuff.”

Taylor introduced Wednesday that Cordell Volson can have season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. Volson had been the second-team proper guard earlier than he bought harm. He was a starter from 2022 by way of 2024, however he was slated to fill a bench function earlier than he was injured. Patrick and Ford are everyday with undisclosed accidents. Because of this, Rivers has been receiving first-team reps at proper guard forward of Cincinnati’s last preseason sport on Aug. 23.

Jackson left apply early on Aug. 20 with an obvious harm, however all is properly in Baltimore. “Received his foot stepped on,” head coach John Harbaugh stated. “They did a fast X-ray, and there’s no injury or something like that. I’m certain it’s a little bit sore in the present day, so we simply saved him in, however he’s superb. He’s going to be good.”

Head coach Kyle Shanahan introduced that Robinson will serve a three-game suspension this season for violating the league’s substance abuse coverage — a ruling that the 49ers anticipated once they introduced in Robinson. Whereas he was enjoying for the Rams final season, the police pulled Robinson over in November 2024 for driving over 100 mph. He refused a area sobriety take a look at, and Robinson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI cost in July. Robinson nonetheless has an opportunity to enchantment, however with the NFL season proper across the nook, he’ll probably miss the 49ers’ first three video games. 

McGary was carted off the apply area on Aug. 20 with a left leg harm. McGary has been Atlanta’s bookend on the proper facet of the offensive line, barring harm, since his 2019 rookie season. Final season, McGary ranked twenty ninth amongst offensive tackles with a 73.8 total grade, in response to Professional Soccer Focus. He signed a two-year, $30 million extension earlier this month.

Tennessee activated Sneed, who had been coping with a knee harm, off the bodily unable to carry out record. Sneed, who’s getting into the second season of a four-year, $76 million deal, had his 2024 season lower quick after 5 video games on account of a quad harm. He beforehand gained two Tremendous Bowls with the Chiefs in 4 seasons with the franchise (2020-23).

Vikings look to WR commerce market

The Vikings shall be with out No. 2 extensive receiver Jordan Addison for the primary three video games of the 2025 season. Between that and mounting accidents, Minnesota is reportedly seeking to the commerce marketplace for assist, per NFL Community. Rondale Moore is out for the season for the second 12 months in a row after struggling a knee harm in a preseason sport, whereas Jalen Nailor is week-to-week with a hand harm. Whereas Justin Jefferson is slated to be again for the primary week of the season, the receiving corps remains to be skinny in Minnesota. Aug. 26 is the deadline to trim all the way down to 53-man rosters for the common season, which means the Vikings may have some potential receivers to focus on on groups which might be making an attempt to create space popping out of camp and the preseason.

Tampa Bay’s second-year receiver has a “severely strained neck” and can start the 2025 season on injured reserve, per ESPN. The report notes that McMillan may miss the primary 9 weeks of the common season. Final season (2024), McMillan totaled 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in what was his rookie season.

Indianapolis is rolling with Jones over third-year quarterback and former No. 4 total draft decide Anthony Richardson as its starter to start the common season, per NFL Community. The Colts signed Jones, who was the first quarterback for the Giants from 2019-24, to a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason. Final season, Jones totaled 2,070 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 79.4 passer ranking in 10 begins (he was launched in November 2024), whereas finishing 63.3% of his passes. He additionally rushed for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

In the course of the Bengals’ preseason matchup in opposition to the Commanders on Aug. 18, Hendrickson — who is not practising on account of hopes of signing an extension — stated the hold-up concerning an extension with Cincinnati is over “assured cash,” per ESPN. The star defensive finish expressed that the 2 sides are on the identical web page on the size of the deal and common annual wage. Hendrickson, who has totaled 17.5 sacks in every of the previous two seasons and been a Professional Bowler in every of the final 4 seasons, is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2025 season. 

Rams followers can breathe a sigh of reduction after Stafford suited up for his first apply of coaching camp on Aug. 18. Whereas Stafford returned to the apply area with simply over two weeks left earlier than Los Angeles’ regular-season opener, there’s nonetheless concern about his well being, as he is been coping with a again problem. There additionally wasn’t a ton of readability about his standing, as he remained sidelined by way of the primary month of coaching camp and into the preseason. 

Giants QB Jaxson Dart impressing in preseason does not change workforce’s plan

One play into the Giants’ fourth possession of their second preseason sport, head coach Brian Daboll referred to as in Dart with out warning. “Critical?” Dart requested, earlier than making a throw that become a 30-yard acquire and jogging again to the sideline, with Russell Wilson returning. It was all about placing the rookie in a state of affairs he may face eventually within the NFL. “You don’t know what’s going to occur,” Daboll stated. “Simply be able to go when your quantity’s referred to as.”

Dart handed that take a look at and has made a powerful first impression as a professional because the Giants traded again into the primary spherical to draft him as their potential QB of the long run. The group and its followers have loads of optimism about what’s to come back, but it surely has not modified the plan for Wilson to begin and Dart to attend within the wings.

“Russ is our starter, and we’re going to maintain growing Jaxson,” Daboll stated. “We have now a plan. … We simply should maintain working with him and perceive there’s going to be a whole lot of downs. I do know there [are] some ups proper now, however there’s going to be a whole lot of downs and we simply bought to continue to grow and speaking, simply maintain getting higher.”

Regardless of the plan is, and each time Dart will get his first NFL begin, the 22-year-old Ole Miss product appears to be on board. “I belief them within the course of,” Dart stated. “I’ve nice guys round me, nice coaches who’ve gained and completed it on the highest degree, so I simply look ahead to studying every day.”

Washington activated McLaurin off the Bodily Unable to Carry out record on Aug. 16. He was beforehand listed with an ankle harm. A two-time Professional Bowler, McLaurin is getting into the ultimate season of a three-year, $68.4 million deal and has been executing a hold-in on the workforce’s facility in hopes of signing an extension. He hasn’t taken half in workforce apply.

Throughout Atlanta’s joint apply with Tennessee on Aug. 13, Penix was pushed to the bottom by a number of gamers and a combat broke out. “I prefer to compete at a excessive degree and once I compete I don’t actually do an excessive amount of speaking,” Penix stated of the incident, in response to The Related Press. “So someone say one thing to me and … OK, I throw a landing. ‘Now what y’all speaking about?’ After which I suppose not all people take that the proper means. And I believe that’s all it was.”

Gardner sat out the workforce’s joint apply with the Giants on Aug. 13 on account of a sore calf. “Sauce wasn’t out (there) in the present day,” head coach Aaron Glenn stated after apply. “We’ll proceed to guage him and see precisely the place he is at.” Gardner has been one of many Jets’ finest gamers since being drafted fourth total out of Cincinnati in 2022. He was the AP Defensive Rookie of the 12 months and was an All-Professional choice in his first two NFL seasons. The 24-year-old Gardner had a barely down season, by his requirements, final 12 months however remains to be thought of one of many league’s elite cornerbacks.

Nabers didn’t take part within the Giants’ first two joint practices in opposition to the Jets on Aug. 12, and head coach Brian Daboll was not forthcoming about particulars surrounding the highest extensive receiver’s standing. Nabers has been coping with a toe harm that prompted him to overlook spring exercises, although Daboll referred to as it “nothing critical.”

Jets QB Tyrod Taylor sidelined for the rest of preseason

Jets backup Taylor shall be sidelined by way of the preseason after latest knee surgical procedure, however the workforce expects he needs to be prepared for the regular-season opener. Head coach Aaron Glenn introduced on Aug. 12 after the Jets’ joint apply with the Giants that Taylor had “a minor scope” on the knee that sidelined him the final week of coaching camp.

Inexperienced Bay’s signal-caller had a process for a torn ligament in his left thumb, in response to NFL Community. That stated, Love is predicted to be prepared for the common season. Final season (15 regular-season video games), Love totaled 3,389 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 96.7 passer ranking, whereas finishing 63.1% of his passes in what was his second season because the workforce’s full-time quarterback. The Packers completed the 2024 season at 11-6 earlier than dropping to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Eagles within the NFC wild-card spherical.

Cook dinner was current and taking part in Buffalo’s Aug. 12 apply, in response to a number of stories. The fourth-year operating again, who’s getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, has been executing a “hold-in” together with his sights set on an extension. Final season, Cook dinner, a two-time Professional Bowler, rushed for 1,009 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdowns. 

Garrett was reportedly cited for rushing on Aug. 9 after going 100 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone. This quotation comes nearly 3 years after he flipped his Porsche a number of occasions and vowed to decelerate. Garrett, reportedly, pays a $250 superb and does not have to look in court docket. 

Head coach Kyle Shanahan estimated that Aiyuk was “on monitor” to return from harm “round” Week 6 this season. Aiyuk sustained a torn ACL and MCL in his proper knee throughout Week 7 of the 2024 season, making his restoration timeline a few full 12 months. With Aiyuk out, the 49ers will depend on TE George Kittle and WRs Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall.

Chiefs beginning cornerback Watson has been positioned within the concussion protocol following Okay.C.’s preseason opener in opposition to the Cardinals. Watson missed a lot of the 2024 common season after breaking his tibia and fibula in a Week 7 win, however after present process surgical procedure, the fourth-year professional managed to make it again in time to assist the Chiefs on their playoff run. The Chiefs are nonetheless coping with accidents to defensive finish Janarius Robinson, who was making an attempt to make the workforce however broke his foot through the opener. WR Hollywood Brown remains to be not practising owing to points together with his foot and ankle and sort out Ethan Driskell was off form on Aug. 11 recovering from an appendectomy. 

Mattison injured his neck throughout Miami’s preseason sport in opposition to the Chicago Bears on Aug. 10 and underwent season-ending surgical procedure later that very same day, per ESPN. Mattison was tackled on a 21-yard go play, and at first was stated to nonetheless have soreness in his neck and shoulders after the sport by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Mattison was then transported to an area hospital by ambulance and underwent surgical procedure, in response to the report.

Lions security Morice Norris in concussion protocol, “doing properly”

Following a daunting harm in Detroit’s preseason opener, Norris is again with the workforce and is “doing properly” in his restoration, in response to head coach Dan Campbel. Norris is in concussion protocol and shall be reassesed in 10 to 14 days. After spending one evening in an Atlanta hospital following the exhibition sport in opposition to the Falcons that ended early due to the harm, Norris flew again to Detroit on Aug. 9 and returned to the Lions’ facility on Aug. 10.

The inside of the Eagles’ offensive line might need suffered a brutal harm on Aug. 10. Dickerson was carted off the sector after struggling an obvious harm to his proper leg throughout a apply at Lincoln Monetary Subject. The three-time Professional Bowler could not put weight on his leg as he bought off the sector.

Jaguars Okay Cam Little hits 70-yard area aim in preseason sport

Little made a 70-yard area aim to finish the primary half of Jacksonville’s preseason opener on Aug. 9, a kick that may have damaged the NFL report had it occurred through the common season. Little and the Jaguars celebrated extensively. He appeared to know his newest one was good from the onset. He watched intently and pumped his fist because it slid a little bit left and cleared the crossbar by a number of yards — far sufficient that the ball boy caught it within the air. Rookie sensation Travis Hunter was one of many first to greet Little on the sector, body-bumping one another in midair.

Indianapolis’ quarterback competitors is again in full swing after Richardson returned to apply on Aug. 9, two days after he dislocated the pinkie on his proper hand within the Colts’ preseason opener in opposition to the Ravens. Richardson was injured on Indy’s second possession when unblocked linebacker David Ojabo drove Richardson into the bottom. He tried to throw on the sideline however didn’t return.

Cowboys G Rob Jones goes on IR after breaking neck bone

Dallas put Jones on season-ending injured reserve on Aug. 8. The veteran had been competing with rookie first-round decide Tyler Booker to begin at proper guard earlier than breaking a bone in his neck on July 27. Jones beforehand stated he was taking a look at a two-to-three-month restoration, however the resolution to place him on IR ends any likelihood of a return this season.

Jones signed a one-year contract in free company to provide the Cowboys added depth of their reconfigured offensive line. Booker, who was chosen twelfth total, was the favourite to begin, however Jones had been performing properly within the first week of coaching camp and would probably have been a key reserve because the Cowboys search for enchancment up entrance.

Jets rookie TE Mason Taylor faces setback after spectacular begin to camp

Taylor’s spectacular begin to camp shall be halted after he suffered a excessive ankle sprain that can sideline him for not less than every week. Taylor, a second-round pick of LSU, was one of many standouts all through the primary 9 camp practices. He is the son of Corridor of Fame defensive finish Jason Taylor and the nephew of Corridor of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas. 

Prescott’s personal expertise coping with workforce proprietor Jerry Jones in a number of rounds of high-profile contract negotiations is why he stays assured star defensive finish Parsons shall be a Cowboy for this season and past.

“No, not essentially,” Prescott stated on Aug. 7 when requested if his thoughts ever goes to a spot the place Parsons may not be his teammate following the two-time All-Professional go rusher’s public commerce request. “… I’ve bought religion in Jones and the workforce, as I do in Micah and his workforce. … I’m going to proceed to consider and be optimistic. And 11’s a Cowboy.”

Gardner-Johnson appeared to undergo a big leg harm on Aug. 7 throughout coaching camp. He tried to sort out receiver John Metchie and, after making contact, reportedly fell to the bottom and commenced writhing in ache. The medical employees tended to him because the workforce and coaches surrounded him. He was ultimately helped to a cart whereas it appeared that he couldn’t put any strain on his proper leg. Head coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t have an replace on his situation.

The Chargers are shifting on with out Slater after the offensive lineman’s torn patellar tendon sidelined him for the season. “It’s like a intestine punch,” head coach Jim Harbaugh stated on Aug. 8. The 315-pound lineman was carted off the apply area on Aug. 7 after apparently injuring his left leg. The harm got here practically two weeks after Slater signed a $114 million, four-year extension that included $92 million assured.

With Slater out, Joe Alt will transfer from proper to left sort out, a place he performed at Notre Dame earlier than turning into the fifth total decide within the 2024 NFL Draft.

Titans HC Brian Callahan calls out his offense after sloppy apply

The Titans turned in a sluggish efficiency on Aug. 3, incomes a profanity-laced tirade from Callahan because the session concluded. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 total decide this 12 months, adopted two strong practices with a tough displaying in workforce drills. The Titans additionally had penalties and a play that may have been a sack because the protection pressured the younger quarterback. Ward’s last rep of the day was a go that sailed far over the pinnacle of receiver Van Jefferson and out of bounds. That is when Callahan unleashed on the offense, however the Titans referred to as Callahan’s outburst warranted, although, due to a scarcity of focus and depth on offense.

Payments’ mounting record of accidents grows to fifteen gamers

Head coach Sean McDermott adopted the Payments’ day without work by opening his pre-practice information convention on Aug. 3 by itemizing 15 members of Buffalo’s 91-player roster as both being restricted or not practising. Beginning receiver Khalil Shakir was among the many newest additions and was listed week-to-week with a excessive ankle sprain after he was harm through the Payments’ annual Crimson and Blue scrimmage at their house stadium on Aug. 1. Additionally injured Friday have been WR Josh Palmer (groin), one of many workforce’s prized offseason free agent additions, and linebacker Shaq Thompson (groin). 

Accidents have notably hit Buffalo’s receivers, with Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and backup Kaden Prather additionally sidelined. Keon Coleman is the one wholesome projected starter with Buffalo getting ready to open the preseason.

Cowboys followers shout ‘Pay Micah!’ at Jerry Jones amid ongoing stalemate

Cowboys followers are rising more and more impatient about the truth that the workforce has but to succeed in a contract extension with All-Professional edge rusher Parsons, who’s getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal. They let Jerry Jones know precisely how they really feel about it too, shouting “Pay Micah!” as Dallas’ longtime proprietor addressed the group through the opening day of Cowboys coaching camp on Saturday in Oxnard, California, per CBS Sports activities.

The Cowboys are coming off a disappointing 7–10 marketing campaign. They exercised Parsons’ fifth-year choice, conserving him below contract by way of 2025 for $24 million — properly under market worth for simply one of many 5 finest defensive gamers within the NFL. The 26-year-old Parsons, who earned Professional Bowl honors in every of his first three seasons within the league, stays the one participant in NFL historical past to report not less than 12.0 sacks in every of his first three years. 

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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