2025 NFL Preseason Buzz: Bucs WR Jalen McMillan Has Main Neck Harm

Signings, injuries, fans getting mad at owners — between training camp and the official start of the preseason, NFL news has been nonstop.

You can follow along with all the latest and most notable free agent moves here.

Here’s the latest on what’s happening around the league this preseason.

Tampa Bay’s second-year receiver has a “severely strained neck” and will begin the 2025 season on injured reserve, per ESPN. The report notes that McMillan could miss the first nine weeks of the regular season. Last 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 overall draft pick Anthony Richardson as its starter to begin the regular season, per NFL Network. The Colts signed Jones, who was the primary quarterback for the Giants from 2019-24, to a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason. Last season, Jones totaled 2,070 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 79.4 passer rating in 10 starts (he was released in November 2024), while completing 63.3% of his passes. He also rushed for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

During the Bengals’ preseason matchup against the Commanders on Aug. 18, Hendrickson — who isn’t practicing due to hopes of signing an extension — said the hold-up regarding an extension with Cincinnati is over “guaranteed money,” per ESPN. The star defensive end expressed that the two sides are on the same page on the length of the deal and average annual salary. Hendrickson, who has totaled 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons and been a Pro Bowler in each of the last four seasons, is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2025 season.

Rams fans can breathe a sigh of relief after Stafford suited up for his first practice of training camp on Aug. 18. While Stafford returned to the practice field with just over two weeks left before Los Angeles’ regular-season opener, there is still concern about his health, as he’s been dealing with a back issue. There also wasn’t a ton of clarity about his status, as he remained sidelined through the first month of training camp and into the preseason.

Hunter was scratched by the Jaguars before their preseason game against the Saints on Aug. 17. The 22-year-old rookie — a rare, two-way player — had missed practice in recent days because of what team officials have described as an upper-body injury. Hunter was the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hunter saw action on both offense and defense in the first half of Jacksonville’s preseason game against the Steelers on Aug. 9. He started at wide receiver on the game’s opening drive, playing 10 of 11 snaps and recording two catches for 9 yards. He then debuted at cornerback on the Steelers’ second offensive drive, recording five snaps (zero defensive stats), and he returned later for a few more plays.

Giants QB Jaxson Dart impressing in preseason doesn’t change team’s plan

One play into the Giants’ fourth possession of their second preseason game, head coach Brian Daboll called in Dart without warning. “Serious?” Dart asked, before making a throw that turned into a 30-yard gain and jogging back to the sideline, with Russell Wilson returning. It was all about putting the rookie in a situation he could face sooner or later in the NFL. “You don’t know what’s going to happen,” Daboll said. “Just be ready to go when your number’s called.”

Dart passed that test and has made a strong first impression as a pro since the Giants traded back into the first round to draft him as their potential QB of the future. The organization and its fans have plenty of optimism about what’s to come, but it has not changed the plan for Wilson to start and Dart to wait in the wings.

“Russ is our starter, and we’re going to keep developing Jaxson,” Daboll said. “We have a plan. … We just have to keep working with him and understand there’s going to be a lot of downs. I know there [are] some ups proper now, however there’s going to be a whole lot of downs and we simply acquired to continue to grow and speaking, simply hold getting higher.”

Regardless of the plan is, and every 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 mentioned. “I’ve nice guys round me, nice coaches who’ve gained and completed it on the highest degree, so I simply sit up for studying every day.”

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

Sanders missed the Browns’ preseason sport in opposition to the Eagles on Aug. 16 with an indirect damage. The Browns are “optimistic” he’ll return to follow subsequent week and play of their preseason finale. As well as, they may consider fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who’s coping with a hamstring damage, previous to Saturday’s sport.

Throughout Atlanta’s joint follow with Tennessee on Aug. 13, the previous’s starter exchanged phrases with Titans defenders after a scoring play, with Penix getting pushed to the bottom by a number of gamers and a battle breaking out.

“I prefer to compete at a excessive degree and once I compete I don’t actually do an excessive amount of speaking,” Penix mentioned of the incident, based on The Related Press. “So any person 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 suitable means. And I feel that’s all it was.”

Gardner sat out the crew’s joint follow with the Giants on Aug. 13 attributable to a sore calf. “Sauce wasn’t out (there) immediately,” head coach Aaron Glenn mentioned after follow. “We’ll proceed to judge him and see precisely the place he is at.” Gardner has been one of many Jets’ greatest gamers since being drafted fourth general out of Cincinnati in 2022. He was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Yr 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 damage 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 can be sidelined via the preseason after latest knee surgical procedure, however the crew expects he ought to be prepared for the regular-season opener. Head coach Aaron Glenn introduced on Aug. 12 after the Jets’ joint follow 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, based on NFL Community. That mentioned, Love is anticipated 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 score, whereas finishing 63.1% of his passes in what was his second season because the crew’s full-time quarterback. The Packers completed the 2024 season at 11-6 earlier than shedding to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles within the NFC wild-card spherical.

Prepare dinner was current and taking part in Buffalo’s Aug. 12 follow, based on a number of studies. The fourth-year working again, who’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, has been executing a “hold-in” along with his sights set on an extension. Final season, Prepare dinner, a two-time Professional Bowler, rushed for 1,009 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdowns. Prepare dinner beforehand sat out of Buffalo’s preseason opener in opposition to the Giants.

Garrett was reportedly cited for dashing on Aug. 9 after going 100 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone. This quotation comes virtually 3 years after he flipped his Porsche a number of occasions and vowed to decelerate. Garrett, reportedly, will pay a $250 high quality and would not have to look in court docket.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan estimated that Aiyuk was “on observe” to return from damage “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 Ok.C.’s preseason opener in opposition to the Arizona 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 trying to make the crew however broke his foot throughout the opener. WR Hollywood Brown remains to be not working towards owing to points along with his foot and ankle and deal with Ethan Driskell was out of shape 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 move play, and at first was mentioned to nonetheless have soreness in his neck and shoulders after the sport by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Mattison was then transported to a neighborhood hospital by ambulance and underwent surgical procedure, based on the report.

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

Following a daunting damage in Detroit’s preseason opener, Norris is again with the crew and is “doing properly” in his restoration, based on head coach Dan Campbel. Norris is in concussion protocol and can 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 damage, Norris flew again to Detroit on Aug. 9 and returned to the Lions‘ facility on Aug. 10.

[MORE: Preseason Game Between Lions and Falcons Ends Early After Serious Injury]

The inside of the Eagles‘ offensive line may need suffered a brutal damage on Aug. 10. Dickerson was carted off the sector after struggling an obvious damage to his proper leg throughout a follow at Lincoln Monetary Area. The three-time Professional Bowler could not put weight on his leg as he acquired off the sector.

Jaguars Ok Cam Little hits 70-yard subject objective in preseason sport

Little made a 70-yard subject objective to finish the primary half of Jacksonville’s preseason opener on Aug. 9, a kick that will have damaged the NFL document had it occurred throughout 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 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 follow on Aug. 9, two days after he dislocated the pinkie on his proper hand within the Colts‘ preseason opener in opposition to the Baltimore 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.

Sanders accomplished 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two landing passes within the first half to Kaden Davis on Friday evening in his preseason debut in opposition to the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8.

A highly-rated draft prospect who endured a dramatic fall into the fifth spherical in April, Sanders entered the sport fourth on the Browns‘ depth chart however was pressed into beginning obligation due to accidents. His standing might change after he led three landing drives in practically three full quarters of motion, displaying great poise and consciousness within the pocket. After the sport, Sanders mentioned he isn’t anxious about how the depth chart shakes out.

[MORE: Browns Won’t Commit to Shedeur Sanders’ Role Next Week After Strong Debut]

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 start out at proper guard earlier than breaking a bone in his neck on July 27. Jones beforehand mentioned he was taking a look at a two-to-three-month restoration, however the determination to place him on IR ends any likelihood of a return this season.

Jones signed a one-year contract in free company to present the Cowboys added depth of their reconfigured offensive line. Booker, who was chosen twelfth general, was the favourite to start out, however Jones had been performing properly within the first week of coaching camp and would possible 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 can be halted after he suffered a excessive ankle sprain that may sideline him for a minimum of per 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 crew proprietor Jerry Jones in a number of rounds of high-profile contract negotiations is why he stays assured star defensive finish Parsons can be a Cowboy for this season and past.

“No, not essentially,” Prescott mentioned 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 move rusher’s public commerce request. “… I’ve acquired religion in Jones and the crew, as I do in Micah and his crew. … I’m going to proceed to imagine and be optimistic. And 11’s a Cowboy.”

Gardner-Johnson appeared to undergo a major leg damage on Aug. 7 throughout coaching camp. He tried to deal with receiver John Metchie and, after making contact, reportedly fell to the bottom and started writhing in ache. The medical workers tended to him because the crew and coaches surrounded him. He was finally 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 transferring 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 mentioned on Aug. 8. The 315-pound lineman was carted off the follow subject on Aug. 7 after apparently injuring his left leg. The damage 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 deal with, a place he performed at Notre Dame earlier than changing into the fifth general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft.

Titans HC Brian Callahan calls out his offense after sloppy follow

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 general decide this 12 months, adopted two stable practices with a tough displaying in crew drills. The Titans additionally had penalties and a play that will have been a sack because the protection pressured the younger quarterback. Ward’s closing rep of the day was a move that sailed far over the top 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 an absence of focus and depth on offense.

Payments‘ mounting record of accidents grows to fifteen gamers

Head coach Sean McDermott adopted the Payments‘ time 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 working towards. Beginning receiver Khalil Shakir was among the many newest additions and was listed week-to-week with a excessive ankle sprain after he was damage throughout the Payments’ annual Purple and Blue scrimmage at their residence stadium on Aug. 1. Additionally injured Friday had been WR Josh Palmer (groin), one of many crew’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 making 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 crew has but to achieve a contract extension with All-Professional edge rusher Parsons, who’s coming 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 throughout 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 possibility, maintaining him underneath contract via 2025 for $24 million — properly under market worth for simply one of many 5 greatest 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 document a minimum of 12.0 sacks in every of his first three years.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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