The Browns announce their starting QB
The Cleveland Browns announced that 40-year-old former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco will be the team’s starting quarterback for the season-opening matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7th. Flacco hasn’t played a single snap in Cleveland’s two preseason games.
“Joe’s the same guy that he was then,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said last week. “He’s the same guy every single day. I think that’s one of the things you admire about Joe is how he approaches his business. He’s done a really nice job in camp. He’s also done a really nice job just providing leadership to the quarterback room, to the offense, and to the football team.”
Matthew Stafford is practicing
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford practiced today for the first time since training camp began. Stafford is currently dealing with an aggravated disk in his back, according to ESPN’s Sarah Bishop. He started out by taking part in individual drills before participating in full team drills.
“I thought he did a good job today,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “We had 26 plays of team, and he did a really nice job of managing the huddle. I thought he saw the field well, I thought he went where the ball should go, and there was some good competitive work on both sides today.”
Starters expected in KC
According to NFL.com, head coach Andy Reid said that all of the Chiefs’ starters will play in the team’s final preseason game against the Chicago Bears. That matchup is scheduled for Friday at 8:20 p.m. EDT.
The Colts add another person to the secondary
Indianapolis is signing four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, the team announced earlier today. Howard was drafted by the Dolphins in 2016, where he played up until his release in 2023. After spending the last year as a free agent, Howard has now found a new home with the Colts.
Isaiah Bond is signed by Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns are signing former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond to a three-year, $3.018 million fully guaranteed contract, according to sources who spoke to ESPN. This announcement comes just a few days after a grand jury cleared Bond of a sexual assault charge.
In April, Isaiah Bond was arrested in Texas on an outstanding sexual assault warrant and was released from jail after paying a $25,000 bail. Following his release from jail, Bond took to social media and called the accusation levied against him “patently false.” Earlier this week, it was announced that his sexual assault case was no-billed and that he would not face any additional criminal charges.
“We’ve spent much of the last calendar year getting to know Isaiah as a player and professional and much of the last four months gaining a full understanding of his legal situation,” said Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry. “On the legal side, we have done extensive research that includes but is not limited to hearing from both sides of the case and receiving the results of an independently administered polygraph test… With his legal matter resolved through a no-bill by a grand jury, Isaiah is focused on learning from this experience while moving forward with his life and career.”
Is Brian Robinson Jr. on the move?
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is going to be held out of the team’s game tonight against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Robinson and the Commanders mutually agreed that it would be best if the running back sat out of the game, as a trade remains a possibility before roster cutdowns next week.
Notable injuries and injury updates
Atlanta Falcons
- Pass rusher and 2025 first-round draft pick Jalon Walker didn’t practice today due to a groin injury.
Baltimore Ravens
- Second-year pass rusher Andisa Isaac will start the season on the injured reserve after undergoing elbow surgery.
Carolina Panthers
- Quarterback Andy Dalton is said to have a mild elbow injury.
- 2025 first-round draft pick and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan didn’t practice today because of a minor hamstring issue.
- Pass rusher Nic Scourton and cornerback Jaycee Horn both returned to practice today.
Dallas Cowboys
- Rookie running back Jaydon Blue, who is nursing an ankle injury, looks good and hopes to play in Dallas’ preseason finale on Friday.
Green Bay Packers
- Quarterback Jordan Love, who had a minor operation on his thumb last week, was back at practice today.
Kansas City Chiefs
- 2023 first-round draft pick and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah will miss the season after being placed on the injured reserve due to a strained hamstring.
Miami Dolphins
- Running back De’Von Achane is not expected to practice this week after hurting his calf.
- Tight end Darren Waller’s return from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list is still being determined.
Minnesota Vikings
- Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to be back at practice this week after missing some time with a hamstring issue.
New England Patriots
- Neither cornerback Christian Gonzalez nor wideout Kendrick Bourne is expected to practice this week.
