49ers suffer 3 more injuries on offense in preseason win over Raiders By W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press The Associated Press LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers might have celebrated Saturday's 22-19 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders as if it were a playoff game, rushing Jake Moody after his 59-yard field goal sailed through the uprights as time expired, but they head back to the Bay Area lamenting a few more injuries.
The 49ers lost starting right guard Dominick Puni and two other offensive players in the first half.
Puni left with a knee injury on the game’s first drive while blocking for a field goal, and coach Kyle Shanahan said the second-year pro will miss “a few weeks.”
Shortly after Puni’s exit, backup running back and special teams player Patrick Taylor Jr. left with a shoulder injury. Next, it was rookie running back Corey Kiner, who is battling for a roster spot. Kiner replaced Taylor but left with an ankle injury after an 19-yard carry. Kiner was carted off the field.
Shanahan said Taylor dislocated his shoulder and Kiner suffered what was “most likely a high ankle” sprain, and both are expected to miss a couple of weeks.
“I mean, (we’ll) just deal with it,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, we get a bunch of guys back here and we don’t lose anyone for the year or anything like that. We got pretty good luck on defense and special teams today, so that was good.
“But losing those three guys on offense was tough. But they won’t be off forever, so hopefully they’ll heal fast.”
The 49ers already had more than 20 players injured, including a banged-up group of wide receivers .
Star running back Christian McCaffrey has looked healthy this summer after missing most of last season with Achilles tendinitis and a knee injury. But four of his backups — including Jordan James (finger) and Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) — are now injured.
“We lost our two and three a couple weeks ago, and then the next guys up, we lost them today, but all those guys will be back,” Shanahan said. “We’ve been through that before. You can never have too many backs. We got a number of them, and we haven’t lost anyone for the year yet.”
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Justin Fields and Jets' passing game sputter in 2 drives in preseason loss to Giants By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Justin Fields and the New York Jets' passing offense were grounded against the Giants.
At least the running game looks ready for the regular season.
Fields, signed to a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason to replace Aaron Rodgers as the Jets’ starting quarterback, went just 1 of 5 for 4 yards in two series in their 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants as the starting offense mostly stuck to the ground Saturday night.
“Overall, in general, it wasn’t good enough," coach Aaron Glenn said. “I don’t care if it was the starting offense, I don’t care if it was the second-team offense, the third-team offense. I’m just going to say that overall, it wasn’t good enough.”
With Fields running the offense, the Jets ran the ball 13 times for 55 yards — with the quarterback even surpassing his passing total by getting 5 yards on his lone rush.
“Listen, I thought we ran the ball fairly well,” Glenn said. “But overall, I thought we were sloppy. And the guys know that. We had too many dropped passes. Our passing game has to be better, we all know that. And it will be better. But again, we just have to go back to work. That’s what next week is going to be about.”
Trailing 7-0 after the Giants scored on their opening drive, the Jets opened their second possession by running 10 straight plays before an incompletion by Fields on third-and-2 to Garrett Wilson — his former college teammate at Ohio State. The Jets settled for a 38-yard field goal by Nick Folk to cap the drive.
Fields and all the offensive starters other than rookie right tackle Armand Membou were then done for the night, with Adrian Martinez and the backups taking over.
“I think it has to be better,” Fields said. “It wasn’t up to our standard.”
In his preseason debut last Saturday, Fields was 3 of 4 for 42 yards and ran for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 79-yard drive in his lone series against Green Bay.
Fields and the Jets’ passing offense have been among the team's biggest question marks because they have struggled to produce consistently in training camp. There have also been very few long throws by Fields, with lots of dump-offs and checkdowns.
“Yeah, I know,” Fields said with a smile. “I was literally thinking that today on the sideline.”
Fields attributes that to how the defense is performing, not a result of perhaps conservative play=calling by coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
“It’ll come,” Fields said. “You know, no need to force it. When you try to force it, that’s when tipped balls, picks happen. So my mindset is always going to be to take what the defense gives me.”
Glenn has insisted Fields has been developing nicely and doing everything asked of him. Fields has also said focusing on his faith has helped him block out the criticisms that affected him during his first four NFL seasons.
But fans who were antsy about the passing offense heading into this game likely won't feel any better now.
And with the starters uncertain to play in the preseason finale next Friday night at home against Philadelphia — teams often sit out their first-teamers — Fields and the offense might have to wait to ease those concerns until the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 against Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Things actually got off to a promising start against the Giants with Fields' first pass of the game completed to rookie tight end Mason Taylor. But after three consecutive running plays — including a 3-yard run by Braelon Allen on fourth-and-1 — he threw three straight incompletions to end the drive, leading to a punt.
Meanwhile, Martinez was 12 of 21 for 114 yards and an interception before being replaced by Brady Cook in the third quarter. Cook, an undrafted rookie from Missouri, threw a 4-yard TD pass to rookie Quentin Skinner — who made a diving grab — in the fourth quarter.
“I’m going to always say we need to improve,” Fields said. “We have room to improve, and that goes with everything. So you guys can ask me, how do I feel about this, how do I feel about that? It’s going to be the same answer every time. There’s room to grow in every aspect: the offense, myself, just everyone.”
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Stetson Bennett rallies Rams to 23-22 preseason win over Chargers, overcoming D-line interception By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press INGLEWOOD, Calif.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Another quarterback might have been a bit shaken after throwing a fourth-quarter interception to a 305-pound defensive tackle — and then getting run over by the big man while he rumbled downfield with the ball.
After two national championship runs at Georgia, Stetson Bennett knows more about pressure situations than most quarterbacks currently getting snaps in the NFL preseason.
He shook off his only major mistake Saturday night and coolly led the Los Angeles Rams to another preseason win.
Bennett hit Tru Edwards with an 8-yard touchdown pass with 5 seconds left, rallying the Rams to a 23-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Bennett passed for 324 yards and three scores in his second straight sharp preseason performance — even if he failed to anticipate the ball-hawking skill and silky lateral movement of TeRah Edwards , the hulking rookie who made the play of the night.
“I ain’t touched the ball in years, so, yeah, it was blessing,” Edwards said. “I was trying to take it as far as I could, man. I ain’t never scored a touchdown in my life, so I was trying. Played a little running back in my Little League days, you know. I’ve always been a lineman, so that’s always a big guy’s dream.”
Edwards, who never had an interception in five seasons split between Northwestern and Illinois, picked off Bennett's throw, thundered downfield and even threw a head fake before plowing over Bennett . He finally tripped at midfield to end his 29-yard return with 6:35 to play, setting off an unsurprisingly unhinged celebration on the Bolts' sideline.
“It was a great play,” Bennett said with a shrug. “It was hard to see. It was a really good play, (but) then we’ve got to go win a football game, and our defense gave us a second opportunity after we didn’t convert on the first one.”
Indeed, after the Rams' (2-0) next drive ended on downs, Bennett reset himself and drove his offense downfield in the waning seconds. Brennan Presley made an acrobatic 40-yard catch between two defenders with 11 seconds left, setting up Edwards' winning catch on the next play.
“When you give up an interception in that situation and you come back and you just respond, that's what life is about,” said Aubrey Pleasant, who served as the Rams' head coach for the game. “That's what we want to see specifically from a quarterback. ... I just really understand his cool, calm demeanor. We've all seen him win a couple of national championships in college, and you see some of that threadwork.”
Sean McVay handed the reins for the night to Pleasant, his assistant head coach and passing game coordinator.
Justin Herbert went 2 of 5 for 46 yards while playing the opening series in his first-ever preseason game for the Chargers (2-1), who were the visiting team at the clubs' shared stadium.
Luke Grimm returned a punt 66 yards for the Bolts' go-ahead touchdown with 12:36 left.
Trey Lance passed for 121 yards, and second-round pick Tre Harris had six catches for 85 yards.
Herbert never played in an exhibition game before his first five NFL seasons, but the Chargers’ $262.5-million quarterback asked for some limited action in this outing to get some work with the Bolts’ revamped offense, which is now missing starting left tackle Rashawn Slater.
Herbert’s only series was interrupted when receiver Quentin Johnston went down hard and left the field on a cart. Herbert also took a sack two plays before the Chargers kicked a field goal.
“I was happy with the action that both our first-team defense and first-team offense got in this game,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "We needed it. It helped us.”
Raheim Sanders rushed for a 1-yard TD in the third quarter set up by Lance’s exceptional 34-yard completion to Harris.
Bennett hit Mario Williams for a 38-yard touchdown on the final play of the third, putting a beautiful downfield throw directly in the hands of the former USC receiver. Bennett also threw a 2-yard TD pass to rookie Konata Mumpfield in the first half.
Grimm, an undrafted rookie receiver who only returned five punts in five seasons at Kansas, broke through the Rams' coverage unit and got down the Chargers' sideline for a score.
No comment
Harbaugh refused to comment on the NCAA's decision Friday to fine the University of Michigan tens of millions of dollars and to suspend coach Sherrone Moore for a third game over a sign-stealing scandal that occurred under Harbaugh's watch.
“Like I said to you last year, not engaging," Harbaugh said. “Not engaging.”
No comment Part 2
Matthew Stafford was scheduled to go through a lengthy throwing workout before Saturday's game, but the Rams would not confirm whether the 37-year-old quarterback did it. Stafford has yet to practice since the start of training camp because of an aggravated disk in his back. McVay didn't speak to reporters after the game. The Rams return to practice Monday.
Up next
The Chargers finish the preseason in Santa Clara against the 49ers on Aug. 23.
The Rams travel nearly 2,400 miles to face the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 23.
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Teddy Bridgewater throws 2 TDs as the Buccaneers slip by the Steelers 17-14 in preseason By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer The Associated Press PITTSBURGH
PITTSBURGH (AP) — For a high school football coach, Teddy Bridgewater can still sling it.
The well-traveled Bridgewater threw for a pair of first-quarter touchdowns in Tampa Bay's 17-14 preseason win over Pittsburgh on Saturday night, thrusting himself into the competition with Kyle Trask to be Baker Mayfield's backup in the process.
While Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles isn't quite ready to say whether there's now a choice to be made between Bridgewater and Trask, Bridgewater's performance less than two weeks after signing provided pretty compelling evidence that there's still plenty left in the 32-year-old's right arm.
Bridgewater, who joined the Buccaneers last week after being suspended from his high school coaching job in Miami for self-reporting that he provided financial benefits to his players, was sharp in his three series of work.
He completed 6 of 11 passes for 85 yards, hitting Bucky Irving for a 15-yard touchdown and later delivering a pretty 5-yard lob to the back corner of the end zone that rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka pulled in with a sliding grab from his knees.
While Mayfield is firmly entrenched as the starter, Bridgewater looked capable while playing against a Pittsburgh defense that sat most of its key contributors, though he brushed aside the notion that he's looking to rise to No. 2 on the depth chart.
“I’m just here to help this team in every way possible,” said Bridgewater, who made it a point to give a shoutout to Northwestern High in Miami after a victory of its own this weekend. "I’ve been a humble servant throughout my career, playing and coaching.”
Chase McLaughlin hit a 42-yard field goal as time expired to win it for the Buccaneers (2-0). Tampa Bay linebacker Antonio Grier's 36-yard interception return — the Buccaneers' sixth pick in two weeks — set up the kick.
A step forward
Two days after a spirited joint practice in which nearly everyone — from Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt — participated, the spotlight shifted to younger players who will have an opportunity to make an impact on two veteran clubs that have been postseason regulars.
Egbuka, the 19th overall pick in the draft, continued an impressive camp by slipping past Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols, then putting his left knee down just before it crossed into the white out-of-bounds paint.
“He’s like that every day in practice and it just carries over for him," Bowles said of Egbuka.
Pittsburgh first-round pick Derrick Harmon earned his first sack of the preseason by swallowing up Trask for an 11-yard loss. Running back Kaleb Johnson, a third-round selection, took a significant step forward, rushing for 50 yards on 11 carries and showing flashes of the cutback ability that made him a star at Iowa.
“The first game (against Jacksonville) I was really kind of timid reading the (defense),” Johnson said, who had just 20 yards on eight carries against the Jaguars the previous week. “We were talking all week about how I should be executing and doing better and progressing and developing over time, and I feel like I did that today."
Wide receiver Roman Wilson, who missed all of his rookie season last year because of an injury, caught two passes for 72 yards for the Steelers (1-1). He beat two Tampa Bay defenders before hauling in a 42-yard rainbow from Rudolph. Wilson later put together a 30-yard catch-and-run on a night when teammate Calvin Austin III — who is competing with Wilson to be the No. 2 receiver opposite Metcalf — sat out with a minor injury.
Back in a snap?
Steelers defensive lineman Logan Lee filled in as the emergency long snapper after Christian Kunitz left in the first half with a chest injury.
Lee hadn't long-snapped since he did a little bit of everything while playing at Orion High School in Orion, Illinois (current population: 1,714). The muscle memory came back (sort of), though Lee admitted there was one thing he learned during his crash course in doing it in the NFL.
“I'm a defensive lineman for sure,” Lee said with a laugh.
Injuries
Buccaneers: WR Jalen McMillan left in the first quarter with a back injury and was being evaluated for a concussion after landing on his head after being undercut by Steelers defensive back Daryl Porter. ... Backup safety Christian Izien injured his oblique.
Steelers: LB Nick Herbig, who has become a valuable member of Pittsburgh's pass rush, left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return.
Up next
Buccaneers: host Buffalo next Saturday in the preseason finale for both teams.
Steelers: wraps up the preseason with a trip to Carolina on Thursday.
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Rookie QB Jaxson Dart stars in his home preseason debut as the Giants beat the Jets 31-12 By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer The Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Getting snaps with the first-team offense, then throwing for a touchdown and running for another with the backups, Jaxson Dart shined in his new home stadium debut for the New York Giants as part of a 31-12 victory against the Jets on Saturday night in each team's second preseason game.
The rookie first-round pick whom the Giants envision as their long-term franchise quarterback got a chance to show a little bit of how he could contribute in the near future by subbing in for starter Russell Wilson mid-drive and connecting with Theo Johnson on a 30-yard pass. Dart capped a 71-yard second half-opening drive with a TD throw to Greg Dulcich and scored on a goal-line sneak to finish another after completing 13 consecutive passes.
Dart was 14 of 16 for 137 yards, delivering on the hype under the lights at MetLife Stadium before giving way to Jameis Winston.
“I thought guys were making great plays for me,” Dart said. “I was just trying to distribute the ball to the playmakers.”
Wilson had his own highlight, throwing his so-called “moon ball” to undrafted free agent Beaux Collins for an 80-yard gain.
“Just great vision by Russ to lay it up there,” coach Brian Daboll said. “What a great ball by Russ, right? An 80-yard bomb, he dropped it in the bucket.”
The 36-had another intercepted because of a miscommunication with Collins, his final throw of a 4 of 7, 108-yard performance.
“We were on two different pages, I guess,” said Wilson, who is glad to get some extended playing time with his new team. “The good thing is it happened in the preseason. You get to see it and talk about it, and that’s why you play these games, man. You just get better, you learn and we all work together.”
While the Giants (2-0) got clicking, questions remain on offense for Justin Fields and the Jets (1-1). He left after two run-heavy series 1 of 5 for 4 yards, with Nick Folk's 38-yard field goal the only points the starters got on the board.
"We were sloppy, and the guys know that," first-year coach Aaron Glenn said. “Overall, in general, it wasn’t good enough. I don’t care if it was the starting offense, I don’t care if it was the second-team offense, the third-team offense.”
That performance came after Fields, signed to a two-year, $40 million deal to replace Aaron Rodgers, was 3 of 4 for 42 yards and a 13-yard TD run in the exhibition opener at Green Bay last Saturday. Fields said it “wasn't up to our standards.”
Fields and the Jets’ passing offense have mostly struggled to produce consistently in training camp, but Glenn has insisted that Fields is developing nicely and doing all that has been asked of him.
Injuries
Jets: Kick returner Xavier Gipson left with a shoulder injury in the first half. Cornerback Sauce Gardner did not play as he nurses a sore calf . Defensive end Rashad Weaver and cornerback Bump Cooper each left with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Will McDonald didn’t play because he has a knee issue Glenn said isn’t considered serious.
Giants: Top receiver Malik Nabers remained out after missing joint practices between these teams this week and sitting out the preseason opener last weekend at Buffalo.
Up next
Jets: Host defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia on Friday night.
Giants: Host New England on Thursday night.
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AP Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. contributed to this report.
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Happy homecomings for QB Cooper Rush, rookie K Tyler Loop in Ravens' 31-13 win over Cowboys The Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cooper Rush threw a touchdown pass and a pick-6 in his return to AT&T Stadium, and rookie Tyler Loop kicked five field goals as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Dallas Cowboys 31-13 in a preseason game on Saturday night.
D’Ernest Johnson ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Ravens (2-0).
Loop, who played for Lovejoy High in the North Texas town of Lucas before starring at Arizona, connected from 53, 52, 42, 36 and 29 yards while missing from 50. Coach John Harbaugh told reporters afterward that Loop would be the Ravens' kicker to start the regular season.
The sixth-round draft pick replaces Justin Tucker, who was released in the offseason after he was accused of inappropriate behavior by massage therapists.
“He’s earned it,” Harbaugh said of Loop. “I just appreciate the fact he wants to make ’em all.”
“Got to still earn it every day,” said Loop, who said he had about 30 relatives and friends in attendance.
Cornerback Andrew Booth picked off Rush and returned it 40 yards for a TD, and Brandon Aubrey kicked field goals of 47 and 36 yards for the Cowboys (0-2).
Rush, who spent the previous seven seasons as Dak Prescott’s Dallas backup before signing as a free agent with Baltimore, flipped a 1-yard TD pass while backpedaling to Keith Kirkwood on a fourth-down play early in the second quarter. Rush played the first half, going 20 of 30 for 198 yards with two interceptions.
“Cooper coming back, playing against his old team, and winning and playing great football,” Harbaugh said. “He’s been playing like this all camp.”
Rush beating the Cowboys appeared to be more significant to Harbaugh than to Rush, who said it didn’t mean more than wins against other teams.
“No, but it was cool just to be back,” said Rush, who started eight games last season when Prescott was sidelined with a torn hamstring but was held out of the season finale, costing him a $250,000 bonus because he fell just short of playing 55% of the season’s offensive snaps. “It was cool to be back, see a lot of old teammates.”
Rush’s first pick was a throw behind receiver LaJohntay Wester. Booth grabbed it and raced down the left sideline, avoiding tacklers during the final 10 yards.
Joe Milton, looking to assume Rush’s role with the Cowboys this season, was 9 of 18 for 122 yards and one interception while playing 3 1/2 quarters. He connected with Jonathan Mingo for 49 yards to set up Aubrey’s first field goal.
Milton was intercepted immediately after a pick by Dallas’ Kemon Hall that deflected off the hands of running back Rasheen Ali. Milton’s heave from midfield into the end zone was picked off by safety Reuben Lowrey.
“It was not an easy catch,” Harbaugh said of Lowrey’s pick.
Neither Prescott nor Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson was in uniform. Prescott received a few seconds of screen time on the stadium’s enormous videoboard, urging the fans to make noise before the fourth-down Baltimore play that resulted in Rush’s TD pass.
The Ravens outgained the Cowboys 273 yards to 31 in building an 18-7 halftime lead. They ran 50 plays to the Cowboys’ 19 during the first half and totaled 16 first-half first downs to the Cowboys’ two.
Keyon Martin gave the Ravens a 2-0 lead by sacking Milton in the end zone on the Cowboys’ third offensive play on third-and-13 from the 3-yard line.
Right guard Tyler Booker, Dallas’ first-round draft choice, made his preseason debut. He started and played into the third quarter.
Mingo, who led Dallas in receiving yards with the one 49-yard catch, left in the third quarter with a knee injury but walked into the locker room after the game.
Cowboys struggle on offense again
First-year Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer sought a better start after last week’s first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams resulted in six offensive plays gaining 1 yard. Dallas’ first-half possessions Saturday resulted in two punts, an interception, a turnover on downs and a safety.
The Cowboys’ leading rusher was Miles Sanders with 15 yards.
“We’re not pushing the panic button,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re pushing the work button.”
Milton was 2 for 8 for 14 yards and the interception during the first half.
“It wasn’t just Joe,” Schottenheimer said. “We didn’t get in a rhythm.”
Third-stringer Will Grier was 1 for 5 for 33 yards.
As for naming a No. 2 to Prescott, Schottenheimer said, “I feel like I don’t have to decide anything today.”
Up next
Ravens: At Washington next Saturday.
Cowboys: Host Atlanta on Friday.
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Jarrett Stidham hits Troy Franklin for pair of touchdowns as Broncos roll over Cardinals 27-7 By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press DENVER
DENVER (AP) — Troy Franklin caught two touchdown passes from Jarrett Stidham and the Denver Broncos rolled over the Arizona Cardinals 27-7 on Saturday night in a matchup of mostly backups.
With both teams sitting the majority of their starters following a productive and spirited joint practice on Thursday, Stidham followed up a spectacular preseason debut in relief of Bo Nix at San Francisco with another stellar performance.
He completed 16 of 23 passes for 240 yards and TDs of 27 and 17 yards to Franklin before giving way to Sam Ehlinger in the second half. Ehlinger completed 14 of 16 passes for 162 yards.
“Got outplayed tonight,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “That was obvious by the score.”
Which could have been worse were it not for cornerback Elijah Jones punching the ball out of tight end Caden Prieskorn’s arms at the 1 and linebacker Vi Jones smothering it in the end zone for a touchback.
Denver's top-to-bottom defense had another solid outing, too. The Cardinals (1-1) converted just 2 of 13 third downs a week after the Broncos held San Francisco to 1 of 12.
That's another indication the Broncos have progressed to the point there will be some difficult decisions on cut-down day.
“I'd rather be in that position than the position we were in two years ago at this time,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said, adding, "I think there are going to be some players that end up on other teams, playing. And that's part of the deal.”
Stidham's first drive covered 97 yards in just four plays. It featured a 58-yard catch and run by tight end Evan Engram and ended with an 8-yard touchdown run by rookie running back R.J. Harvey, a second-round selection by Denver (2-0).
After Jacoby Brissett (6 for 8 for 57 yards) replied with a 16-yard TD toss to Simi Fehoko, Stidham hit Franklin for a 27-yard touchdown down the left sideline. His 17-yard strike to Franklin with 45 seconds left before halftime made it 24-7.
Franklin's stellar summer has continued in the preseason, cementing his role as one of Denver's top-flight receivers.
“I think I'm just more comfortable, got a little bit more freedom to just go out there and play,” Franklin said. “And also just knowing the offense as a whole.”
Stidham's third drive reached the Arizona 2 but he airmailed a throw on third down and right tackle Alex Palczewski's second flag, this one for a false start, moved the ball back to the 6 and Wil Lutz nailed a 26-yarder to make it 17-7.
Franklin's 7-yard sideline catch with 2 seconds left allowed Lutz to attempt a 64-yard field goal as the first half expired, but he missed short and to the right.
Clayton Tune relieved Brissett and was 13 of 20 for 56 yards.
First Call
Payton turned over play-calling duties to QBs coach Davis Webb and was impressed by how he handled the task.
“I think it's a good opportunity for these coaches,” said Payton, who gave Webb a game ball.
Injuries
Broncos G Nick Gargiulo was carted off with a right knee injury at the 6:41 mark of the third quarter. The entire Broncos bench went out to midfield in a show of support. The Cardinals lost OL Hayden Carter to a knee injury on the first drive of the game. Broncos LB Garret Wallow (ankle) went out in the fourth quarter.
Remembrances
The Broncos honored pass-catching great and coaching pioneer Lionel Taylor, who died earlier this month at age 89, and also former AP sports writer Dennis Georgatos , who died in June at age 70.
Up next
Cardinals: Host the Las Vegas Raiders next Saturday.
Broncos: Visit New Orleans next Saturday.
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Brooks scores on interception return as Ward has mixed results in Titans' 23-20 win over Falcons By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press ATLANTA
ATLANTA (AP) — Kendell Brooks scored on a 53-yard interception return and rookie quarterback Cameron Ward had mixed results as the Tennessee Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 in a preseason game Friday night.
Joey Slye's 23-yard field goal with 9:03 remaining gave Tennessee (1-1) the lead.
Falcons backup quarterback Emory Jones was stopped on a fourth-down run near the Tennessee 20 with 2:57 remaining. Jones was shaken up on the hit by linebacker Amari Burney and cornerback Jemari Harris. Jones walked off the field with assistance.
Ward played three series and completed 2 of 7 passes for 42 yards. Ward's highlight was a 35-yard completion to Elic Ayomanor on the Titans' opening series. Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, had another long pass dropped by Van Jefferson.
“I'm very encouraged,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said about Ward's performance. “That ball that was dropped was an incredible throw. ... He's shown all the things we need to see from an operations standpoint.”
Callahan hinted during the week Ward would play two series but said he added the third series because the play count was still low.
Ward said the extra snaps were “real good for me ... game-time reps instead of practice.”
The teams traded third-quarter touchdowns. Jemar Jefferson's 16-yard scoring run, which capped a 13-play drive, gave the Titans a 20-13 lead. Easton Stick, who played the first three quarters for Atlanta, threw a 52-yard scoring pass to Chris Blair to tie the game.
Brandon Allen, who played behind Ward, threw a 25-yard scoring pass to tight end Gunnar Helm late in the first half.
Nathan Carter produced the Falcons' first touchdown with a 43-yard run in the third quarter. Younghoe Koo kicked field goals of 42 and 36 yards for Atlanta (0-2).
Just watching
Among the Titans held out on offense were RB Tony Pollard, WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, RG Kevin Zeitler. Center Lloyd Cushenberry, who passed his physical Monday as he continues his return from an Achilles tendon injury, participated in pregame drills but did not play.
Atlanta's top two quarterbacks, starter Michael Penix Jr. and backup Kirk Cousins, sat out for the second straight preseason game after receiving the bulk of the snaps in team drills in two joint practices against the Titans this week. RB Bijan Robinson and WRs Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud also were spectators.
Falcons rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker was held out after playing last week in a 17-10 loss to Detroit.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Walker “tweaked a groin” late in Wednesday's practice with the Titans. “We look forward to getting him back next week,” Morris said.
Long road home
The game completed a string of nine nights away from home for the Titans, who had a joint practice at Tampa Bay last week before their 29-7 loss to the Buccaneers.
“I think we accomplished a lot of connectivity, guys handing around together,” Ward said. “... We showed tonight we can overcome adversity.”
Backup QB shuffle
Trevor Siemian , who was signed Monday, took over at quarterback for Tennessee in the fourth quarter and led the drive capped by Slye's go-ahead field goal.
Siemian spent much of 2024 on the Titans’ practice squad. He replaced Tim Boyle, who was released after completing only 4 of 13 passes for 24 yards with two interceptions against the Buccaneers.
Stick, competing for Atlanta’s No. 3 quarterback job, completed 15 of 25 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown and the one interception returned for a touchdown by Brooks. Allen completed 11 of 14 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Up next
Titans: Following two road games, the Titans host Minnesota next Friday night.
Falcons: Visit Dallas next Friday night in their third preseason game.
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Sam Darnold impresses in preseason debut with Seattle Seahawks, win against Kansas City Chiefs By ANDREW DESTIN AP Sports Writer The Associated Press SEATTLE
SEATTLE (AP) — Sam Darnold looked the part of a franchise quarterback in his first appearance at Lumen Field as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Kansas City Chiefs 33-16 in a preseason game on Friday night.
Darnold, who did not appear in the Seattle Seahawks’ preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders , completed 4 of 4 passes for 34 yards on the opening drive.
Darnold, who signed to a three-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle in the offseason, made good use of both his legs and his tight ends during his sole series. He had no issues rolling out to either his left or right, locating tight ends AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo for short passes, as well as fullback Robbie Ouzts and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for deeper completions.
“I thought today, first of all, it was awesome just to get out there in front of the 12s,” Darnold said. “And that atmosphere, too, I felt like that was kind of a perfect atmosphere. It felt like it was almost November, December already out there in the rain.”
Backup quarterback Drew Lock also impressed in relief of Darnold on a slippery Seattle evening, throwing a couple of touchdown passes to wide receiver Jake Bobo, and completing 10 of 12 passes for 129 yards. Coach Mike Macdonald was particularly complimentary of Bobo’s performance.
“This guy’s a Seahawk, man,” Macdonald said of Bobo, “The way he operates and goes and attacks the football."
Running backs Zach Charbonnet and Damien Martinez each added touchdowns on the ground in the first and third quarters, respectively.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, did not play quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and other starters from the team that fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in last season’s Super Bowl.
Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew found tight end Robert Tonyan for a 1-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.
The Seahawks’ defense in large part held strong, limiting the Chiefs’ reserves to three points in the second half. Kansas City wide receiver Skyy Moore, though, did return a punt for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
“Now, we’re chasing perfection as much as you can’t obtain it,” safety Julian Love said. “That’s kind of what we’re trying to make the standard on defense.”
Scampering Seahawks
After rushing for the fifth-fewest yards as a team in 2024, the Seahawks have made it their prerogative to be more effective on the ground in 2025. They demonstrated on Friday, racking up 268 rushing yards on 48 carries. Five different players rushed for at least 30 yards.
“The backs ran really hard,” Macdonald said. “Every back today, I thought, ran the ball hard and going forward, how we finish plays, I can’t wait to watch it.”
Tight end time
Since Noah Fant is now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals , tight end remains a key position battle for the Seahawks. Arroyo and Barner combined for three catches and 24 yards on Friday, not letting any passing attempts escape them despite slippery conditions.
Barner is the more veteran player, with 30 catches and 245 receiving yards under his belt from last season. But Arroyo, who was a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, has been more productive in the preseason. He has four catches for 33 yards through two exhibition games.
Up next
Seahawks: Visit the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 23.
Chiefs: Host the Chicago Bears on Aug. 22.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Commanders activate Terry McLaurin off the PUP list as contract extension talks linger The Associated Press ASHBURN, Va.
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders activated Terry McLaurin off the physically unable to perform list on Saturday amid lingering contract extension talks with the All-Pro wide receiver.
McLaurin, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.2 million contract signed in 2022, reported to the team on July 27 after skipping the initial four days of training camp and June's mandatory minicamp. That turned a holdout to a hold-in, but has not necessarily accelerated extension talks or returned McLaurin to practice. The team placed its top target on the PUP list with an ankle injury, and McLaurin requested a trade on July 31.
He was not on the field Saturday for Washington’s final practice before its Monday night home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
McLaurin and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels fueled an offense that ranked fifth in points scored last season and carried the Commanders to a 12-5 regular-season record and the franchise’s first NFC championship game appearance since 1991. They haven’t built off that success in camp with the Sept. 7 regular-season opener against the New York Giants approaching. Three other offensive starters have missed significant time with injuries.
The activation comes one day after offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury expressed a desire to work with a full lineup. “We need to start getting those guys, when they’re available out there,” Kingsbury said.
Head coach Dan Quinn said the PUP activation was about beginning the “return-to-play” process where McLaurin acclimates physically with enough time for a hopeful return to action for the regular season, and that the receiver was “on the same trajectory as everyone else (in terms) of doing the workouts.”
“We’ve got a real process in our return-to-play that we believe in,” Quinn said following Saturday’s practice. “We know it works. We’ll hit all those steps.”
Quinn said he doubted McLaurin would play in either of Washington’s remaining preseason games. Daniels, along with other starters, are expected to play “a few series” against the Bengals in their preseason debut, Quinn said.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl