NFL Player News

Williams started every game for Baltimore last season, including the playoffs. A strong run-support corner at 6-foot-1, 182, Williams was the weak link in the Ravens’ pass coverage, though he’s hardly a terrible cover corner. Still, Williams will face stiff competition to retain his starting job from 2011 first-round pick Jimmy Smith. Also recovering from offseason hip surgery, Williams will likely move into a backup role in 2012.

The No. 34 overall pick and projected starter appeared to be in a heap of pain upon going down in the third quarter. It’s a potentially brutal break for this woebegone franchise, though Friday’s testing could come back less severe than expected. If Bisontis is looking at a multi-month or season-ending absence it will likely force the Cardinals to dip into the free agent or back-end trade market.

Cam Ward played three series, but Tate was most active on the opening drive, playing 10-of-11 snaps (via NFL Network’s Michael F. Florio). The goose egg looks disappointing, of course, but it is utterly inconsequential. Slightly more concerning has been a hype-free start to Titans camp for the No. 4 overall pick, though he has been lauded for a few highlight plays of late. Emphasis on “a few,” we guess. It’s hard to muster too much concern, but then again, this was always likely to be a bumpy road for the Titans’ revamped offense this season. Tate is a WR3/4 with plenty of upside but “slow start” risk to match.

Mendoza took over for Kirk Cousins on the Raiders’ second drive. New Raiders coach Klint Kubiak had Mendoza lining up under center and running play action, and the No. 1 overall pick responded by successfully threading the needle on tight window throws to both WR Malik Benson and Jack Bech. He also checked down to fellow rookie Mike Washington when needed. Mendoza’s score was a six-yard strike to Bech, with the second-year wideout turning the grab into a tumbling plunge into the end zone. It was a solid start for a rookie who is evidently going to begin the year on the bench.

The controversial third-round pick is battling veteran Mason Rudolph and sophomore Will Howard for backup duties behind Aaron Rodgers. All three signal callers had strong outings against the Packers’ reserves on Thursday. A former massive recruit whose Penn State career did not go as planned, Allar has youth (22) and raw physical talent on his side as he looks to develop under Mike McCarthy. There is very little chance he would be ready for prime time if forced into 2026 action.

Ward, who played three series, didn’t offer up many highlights, but he did help author a 95-yard touchdown drive on the Titans’ opening series vs. the 49ers’ backups. Learning a new offensive system as he breaks in a heavily revamped supporting cast, it’s not a surprise tonight was a “growing pains” effort even if it came against the second and third string. If Ward plays in the Titans’ second preseason game, it will be against the defending champion Seahawks.

The 49ers rested their starters but let their second-round rookie play. Stribling lined up in the slot and out wide. He looked good winning contested targets and picking up yards after the catch, and showed no ill effects from the hamstring injury he dealt with earlier this month, which was nice to see. Rookie season FLEX treatment could be in play for him.

Love apparently also picked up a minor ankle injury, but coach Mike LaFleur said he could have played through it were it the regular season. Whew. Love looked powerful and explosive against the Raiders tonight, at one point showing off a leaping spin move and later a hurdle. The first-round rookie running back out-snapped RB Tyler Allgeier 8-3 on the first drive with QB Jacoby Brissett. The two running backs continued rotating through the second drive, helmed by backup QB Gardner Minshew. Allgeier hung up his cleats after that, while Love played on 8-of-10 snaps on the third drive. If the first-drive snap count is any indication, Love may already have earned the clear-cut starting role in Arizona. His continued participation on the third drive clouds the picture. Hopefully we learn more next week.

The second-year incumbent tight end is seemingly behind the Chargers’ free agent signee veteran TEs Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. Neither Kolar nor Njoku suited up this evening. Gadsden can still be viewed as a TE2/3 in best ball formats, but his current role could be undesirable for re-draft purposes.

Vidal stayed in for two drives and did not catch his only target. Tonight’s start suggests Vidal is behind RB Keaton Mitchell on the depth chart. Mitchell did not play, nor did starting RB Omarion Hampton. Vidal is a proven, capable fill-in starter, but he should only be drafted as the Chargers’ RB3 at this time.

The Lions’ established starters did not play. Lions WR Greg Dortch could be challenging TeSlaa’s WR3 role, although Dortch went 0-for-1 as a receiver as well. TeSlaa out-snapped him 15-7 on the first three drives. TeSlaa took two more snaps on the fourth drive, sans Dortch, which ended in a turnover. This is a position battle to keep an eye on.