Titans’ Cedric Gray Pushing For Starting Spot
Titans linebacker Cedric Gray entered the league as a fourth-round draftee last year, but his rookie campaign got off to an inauspicious start. He was placed on injured reserve at the end of August, and though he eventually got into seven games, he played just 48 defensive snaps. 
He stands to earn considerably more playing time in 2025. Head coach Brian Callahan, via Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official website, said Gray has come a long way and is making a case to start alongside fellow inside ‘backer Cody Barton in the middle of Tennessee’s defense.
Gray, who will turn 23 in October, has tallied seven tackles in each of the Titans’ first two preseason games, including a half-sack in their victory over the Falcons on Friday. He made a name for himself as a prolific tackler at Chapel Hill, collecting 266 total stops across the 2022-23 seasons with UNC. The former Tar Heels’ team captain earned First-Team All-ACC acclaim in both years.
Despite being selected in the fourth round, Gray was still only the seventh linebacker off the board, and scouts lauded his football IQ. Fellow 2024 draftee James Williams, who earned one start last year, represents one of Gray’s primary competitors for playing time, but Gray offers higher upside.
In terms of total defense, the Titans were one of the NFL’s best units last season (although they finished near the bottom of the pack in scoring defense). This year, with rookie QB Cam Ward at the controls and something of a middling collection of skill-position talent, the defense will again be counted upon to keep the team competitive.
Gray is likely in position to play a key role in that regard. If he does indeed clinch a first-team spot at the second level of the defense, his performance while handling an increased workload will be something to monitor especially in the early portion of the season. Provided Gray fares well in a starting gig, he could hold onto it for years to come while playing out his rookie contract.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
49ers RG Dominick Puni Sustains PCL Injury
The 49ers are contending with a significant amount of health-related attrition, and Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle observes 21 players on the club’s 90-man roster are currently sidelined with injuries. The latest addition to the list could result in an early blow to the Niners’ offensive line.
Starting right guard Dominick Puni, who played the opening series of San Francisco’s preseason matchup against the Raiders on Saturday, exited the game when fellow lineman Matt Hennessy was blocked into his right knee. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media afterwards that Puni had suffered a PCL injury.
Shanahan went on to say, via David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, the 25-year-old blocker would miss a few weeks, which obviously puts his availability for the start of the regular season in jeopardy (the Niners begin the campaign on September 7). Shanahan at least left open the possibility that Puni could suit up for the opener against the division-rival Seahawks.
Puni, a third-round pick in 2024, was one of the team’s few bright spots last season. He played all but one offensive snap and finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-highest-rated guard among 77 qualified players. His efforts earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s all-rookie team, and the 49ers are counting on him to provide stability on the interior of their offensive front, especially since left guard and three-year starter Aaron Banks departed in free agency.
Ben Bartch is slated to take over the LG role, though he has not been a regular starter since 2021. One of Bartch’s competitors for his job, Nick Zakelj, is also one of Puni’s backups, but the 2022 sixth-rounder has just two career starts to his name and was unable to make much of an impression at the beginning of training camp, when Bartch was on the PUP list. The other candidate to fill in for Puni is seventh-round rookie Connor Colby, which heightens the urgency to get Puni back in the lineup as soon as possible.
Two of San Francisco’s running backs also left the Raiders game due to injury. Patrick Taylor, who re-signed with the team in March, sustained a dislocated shoulder and is set to miss multiple weeks. Ditto UDFA rookie Corey Kiner, who suffered a high-ankle sprain.
Both Taylor and Kiner are vying for spots at the back of the Niners’ RB depth chart, which is headed by Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, and fifth-round rookie Jordan James. Kiner, though, was making a strong push for a place on the roster, and both Guerendo and James are dealing with injuries of their own that kept them out of Saturday’s game.
Bucs’ QB2 Job Remains Unsettled; Latest On Teddy Bridgewater’s Future
Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater turned in a strong performance during his club’s preseason victory over the Steelers on Saturday, completing six of 11 passes for 85 yards and two TDs. However, at this point in the calendar, he would prefer to be on a high school sideline.
As Will Graves of the Associated Press details, Bridgewater had hoped to coach his alma mater, Northwestern High, until the high school football season ended, and then he was going to see if there were any NFL opportunities for him. This is the same route he took last year, when he guided Northwestern to the Florida Class 3A title before joining the Lions in late December as Jared Goff’s backup for the stretch run.
Bridgewater’s plan was thwarted by the suspension he received from the Florida High School Athletic Association. He does not take a salary as Northwestern’s HC, but in a recent social media post soliciting donations to offset team expenses like food and rides home from practice, he acknowledged that he paid for those expenses himself last season. Under the Association’s rules, Bridgewater’s out-of-pocket expenditures may constitute impermissible benefits to players, thus leading to the suspension.
The Association’s investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear when it might reach a resolution. In the meantime, Bridgewater signed with the Bucs and joined Kyle Trask as a candidate for the backup QB role behind Baker Mayfield in Tampa.
“It’s very upsetting,” Bridgewater said after a joint practice with Pittsburgh earlier this week. “Just knowing that you have good intentions and those good intentions will be turned against you and used against you. I’m hoping to get it resolved because those kids have a special place in my heart. And I’d love to finish what I started with them.”
Trask has been a fixture in Tampa since the team selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft. But with Tom Brady and then Mayfield ahead of him on the depth chart, the 27-year-old has attempted a grand total of 11 regular season passes in the NFL. Bridgewater, who has 65 career starts to his name, obviously represents a much more reliable insurance policy in the event of a Mayfield injury.
When asked what he was told about the Bridgewater signing, Trask said, “I never got a direct answer” (video link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). The Florida product was not nearly as sharp as Bridgewater on Saturday, completing just three of 10 passes for 19 yards in the Pittsburgh contest.
After the game, head coach Todd Bowles declined to provide a definitive quarterback pecking order. Bowles said Trask, Bridgewater, and UDFA rookie Connor Bazelak would play in the Bucs’ preseason finale next week and that a decision would be made at some point thereafter (via Stroud).
Bridgewater, who will turn 33 in November, suggested he is not necessarily pushing for the QB2 gig.
“I’m just here to help this team in every way possible,” he said after the game (via the Associated Press). “I’ve been a humble servant throughout my career, playing and coaching.”
Per Graves, Bridgewater – who said he received offseason interest after his stint with the Lions – would like to continue the pattern he set in 2024: coach high schoolers in the fall, and then perhaps join an NFL club late in the professional season. As he told the teams that reached out to him earlier this year, “I’m up for it, check back when Northwestern is done.”
Commanders Activate Terry McLaurin Off PUP List; No Progress On Contract
The Commanders have activated wide receiver Terry McLaurin off the active/physically unable to perform list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but the move is not an indicator of progress in extension negotiations.
Head coach Dan Quinn said (via NBC4 Sports) that McLaurin’s activation is “definitely separate” from his contract talks. “This is about his getting ready to play,” continued Quinn.
However, McLaurin’s activation did come a day after offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury indicated that he wanted his star wide receiver to get back on the practice field as soon as possible.
“Time on task together on the grass is really the only way you can continue to build,” said Kingsbury (via 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen).
McLaurin did not practice on Saturday, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, though that’s not necessarily an indicator of a hold-in. Quinn and Kingsbury both indicated that McLaurin had been spending time with trainers and other medical staff, so he may be going through workouts out of view of the media.
Still, the 29-year-old’s willingness to practice will be a situation worth monitoring over the next week. There is still a “sizable gap” between McLaurin and the Commanders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and the two-time Pro Bowler is “dug in” and “remains frustrated.” Despite his trade request and some interest from other teams, the Commanders still believe that they can get a deal done before the season.
Shane Steichen Nearing Decision On Colts’ Starting QB
Two of the Colts’ three preseason games are now in the books. With Week 1 approaching, a decision on the team’s starting quarterback should be coming shortly. 
[RELATED: Recapping Colts’ Offseason]
When speaking to the media on Saturday following the Colts’ loss to the Packers, head coach Shane Steichen said he is “very close” to naming a starter for the beginning of the 2025 campaign. Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson each saw action today, with both attempting 11 passes during the game. That adds to the performances each have submitted throughout the summer.
“I’ve seen obviously three weeks of it,” Steichen said (via Fox59’s Mike Chappell) when speaking about the ongoing contest. “I’d like to have a decision here shortly. Yeah, I feel pretty clean when I make that decision. Again, when I make this decision, I’m going to do what I feel is best for this football team.”
Jones – added in free agency on a one-year deal as the Colts’ target for a veteran capable of competing with Richardson for the QB1 gig – held a “significant” lead in the competition before training camp began. Richardson managed to rehab his latest shoulder injury in time to start Indianapolis’ preseason opener, but a dislocated finger limited his time in that contest. The fourth overall pick in 2023’s draft has played just 15 regular season games to date, and his showings in that span have fallen well short of expectations.
After relying on Gardner Minshew and Joe Flacco as veteran insurance the past two years, the Colts will lean on Jones to at least serve as an experienced fill-in option. The former Giants top-10 pick flamed out of New York last year, but landing the starting position would allow for a fresh start. Jones, 28, secured over $13MM fully guaranteed when signing with Indianapolis. That figure confirmed his status as a genuine contender for first-team responsibilities on his new squad, and it will be interesting to see if Jones will at least begin the season atop the depth chart.
The Colts have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, and Steichen’s tenure as head coach (starting in 2023) has yielded a 17-17 record. Finding long-term stability under center will be critical for the franchise – and, quite possibly, Steichen’s job security – but consistent play in the immediate future will be highly important as well. Clarity on how the 2025 campaign will be approached could emerge soon.
5 Key Stories: 8/10/25 – 8/16/25
Midway through August, teams around the NFL are preparing for final roster cuts. Contract matters are still front of mind in certain cases, though, and some notable developments have recently taken place on that front (and others). In case you missed any of the top stories from the past week, here is a quick recap:
- Bills, Cook Reach Extension Agreement: The 2025 offseason has seen a slew of extensions worked out in the case of the Bills. Running back James Cook represented an outlier with no deal coming together by the start of training camp. After a brief hold-in, though, the two-time Pro Bowler suited up for practice one day before news of his new contract broke. Cook landed a four-year pact which averages $11.5MM per year and includes $15.28MM guaranteed at signing. The former second-rounder now sits seventh in the NFL in per-year running back compensation. On the books through 2029, Cook will look to retain his efficiency for years to come with an increased workload potentially being in store down the road.
- Heyward Holding In At Steelers’ Camp: Cameron Heyward recently emerged (alongside kicker Chris Boswell) as a member of the Steelers seeking a contract adjustment. The All-Pro defensive tackle enjoyed a return to form in 2024 and is seeking a raise as a result while avoiding team drills in practice. When speaking publicly on the matter, Heyward hinted at the possibility of sitting out regular season games in the absence of a new arrangement. Last offseason, the 36-year-old signed an extension through 2026; the Steelers have a policy of not negotiating deals with more than one year remaining. It will be interesting to see if a compromise of some kind can be reached in the coming weeks to ensure Heyward ends his hold-in.
- Hearing Scheduled For Chiefs’ Rice: It remains to be seen if (and for how long) Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will be suspended in 2025. His March 2024 hit-and-run incident resulted in felony charges, but a conclusion to his legal case turned attention to the question of league discipline. After the NFL, NFLPA and Rice’s camp were unable to agree to a suspension length, the matter will proceed to a hearing. Former judge Sue L. Robinson will oversee the case on September 30, leaving Rice available for the first four games of the season. The outlook for Kansas City’s projected No. 1 receiver beyond that point is uncertain, though.
- Commanders Not Close To McLaurin Extension: As expected, the Commanders do not intend to trade Terry McLaurin. The Pro Bowl wideout continues to seek an extension, and a gap remains between team and player on finances. Washington is leery of a long-term commitment given McLaurin’s age (30 in September) and the threat of a drop-off in production. The five-time 1,000-yard producer has been connected to an asking price in the low-$30MM range regarding annual compensation. McLaurin’s activation from the active/PUP list is separate from his ongoing contract situation, which still has no end in sight. Time remains for an agreement to be reached, but considerable progress will need to be made shortly if a pact is to be in place by Week 1.
- Browns Rookie Judkins Not Facing Charges: Quinshon Judkins remained the NFL’s only unsigned 2025 draft pick well into the summer while his legal situation remained unclear. The Browns running back is now in position to join the team, however, since his domestic violence case has ended without charges being pursued. Judkins, taken in the second round of this year’s draft, is expected to sign his rookie pact and be available for the start of the season. The Ohio State product could carve out a role fairly early as part of a Cleveland backfield which no longer includes Nick Chubb, although the NFL’s investigation into the case will continue.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/16/25
Saturday’s minor NFL moves:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: S J.J. Roberts
A knee injury will shut Roberts down for his rookie season, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman notes. The ailment ends what had been an encouraging training camp. This news comes after the Buccaneers lost fellow rookie David Walker due to an ACL tear.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford To Conduct Second Workout
AUGUST 16: The Rams declined to comment on Stafford’s status when asked if he took part in today’s planned workout (h/t Barshop). McVay is scheduled to speak to the media on Monday, at which point more details will emerge regarding Stafford’s latest efforts to get on the field.
AUGUST 15: Last Saturday, Matthew Stafford took part in a throwing session. The success of that workout initially put him on track take part in Rams training camp practices for the first time this offseason. Instead, he has yet to participate while dealing with a back issue. 
Another workout will take place tomorrow, ESPN’s Sarah Barshop notes. Stafford was held out of practice Monday due to an abundance of caution, and head coach Sean McVay said at the time no thought has been given to surgery. Full participation in the regular season has long been named as the target in this case, but it remains to be seen if or when Stafford will see the field in a practice setting.
McVay responded with “a little bit of both” when asked if the issue relates to functionality or pain management. He added, “we’re trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don’t really have much more information other than [I] think we’re trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field.”
Barshop’s colleague Jeremy Fowler reports the Rams continue to expect Stafford to be available for Week 1. Still, the decisively uncertain tone of McVay’s latest comments on the matter will no doubt be at least some cause for concern. This offseason saw the latest arrangement made between team and player in Stafford’s case, and the Super Bowl winner is owed guaranteed money into 2026. His health for the next two seasons (at a minimum) thus represents a central priority.
At the age of 37, chronic ailments will increasingly become something to monitor regarding Stafford. He is no stranger to playing through pain dating back to his Lions tenure, though, so it would come as no surprise if a full 17-game slate were to still be on tap. It will be interesting to see how tomorrow’s session goes and how the team aims to proceed in its aftermath.
Coming off a run to the divisional round of the postseason, the Rams will rely heavily on Stafford once again in 2025. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo and third-stringer Stetson Bennett have been in place to handle all quarterback reps so far in camp, but that could change in the near future.
Panthers OLB Nic Scourton Suffers Collapsed Lung
Nic Scourton‘s rookie campaign may not start on time. The Panthers edge rusher is currently dealing with a collapsed lung, as noted by head coach Dave Canales. 
After suffering from heat-related symptoms, Scourton was taken to hospital in Houston, the site of Carolina’s preseason game on Saturday. Per Canales, the second-rounder is now heading (by car, rather than through the air) back to Charlotte. He added (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) Scourton is currently week-to-week.
Leading up to the draft, the Panthers were named as a strong candidate to add a pass rusher during the first round. Instead, the team went with Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8, electing to double down on the Day 2 options along the edge. Scourton was selected 51st overall, and Carolina also took Princely Umanmielen in the third round.
Given the decision to release veteran Jadeveon Clowney after one season in Carolina, both rookies are in position to handle a notable role in 2025. Scourton had a productive two-year run at Purdue, leading the Big Ten in sacks during his sophomore campaign. He spent last season at Texas A&M and added another five sacks to his career total while remaining strong against the run. The soon-to-be 21-year-old could see his early regular season usage drop in the wake of today’s development, though, in the event he is healthy by Week 1.
In addition to Umanmielen, the Panthers have D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones in position to handle a notable workload along the edge. Wonnum joined Carolina in free agency last spring, collecting four sacks in eight games. Jones followed the same path in 2025, and coming off a career-high seven sacks last season he will be counted on to provide a consistent pass rush presence on what was the NFL’s worst defense in 2024. In time, Scourton will look to develop into a key member of the team’s edge contingent; for now, though, his attention will turn to recovery.
Seahawks Moving Closer To Naming O-Line Starters
Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas and Grey Zabel are locked in as Seahawks offensive line starters. The team is still determining the routes it will take at center and right guard, however.
As it stands, incumbents look to have the best shot at fending off challengers for those jobs. Anthony Bradford has received the bulk of the first-team reps at RG and is probably the favorite for the gig, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar notes. An injury to primary 2024 center starter Olusegun Oluwatimi has complicated the Seahawks’ center derby, but it does not appear a challenger has seized the gig yet.
[RELATED: Reviewing Seahawks’ 2025 Offseason]
Oluwatimi, who took over the position after Connor Williams‘ surprising in-season retirement last year, has missed nearly two weeks with a back injury. He did not suit up for the Seahawks’ second preseason game, against the Chiefs, leaving former UDFA Jalen Sundell more time to potentially usurp him.
Competing with Oluwatimi throughout camp and during Seattle’s offseason program, Sundell has not definitively taken the job, per ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson, who adds the Seahawks view Sundell as a valuable swing backup. Sundell has also seen RG reps, though Henderson concurs with Dugar in indicating the incumbent is the “heavy favorite.”
Bradford started opposite Laken Tomlinson last season, winning the job after being a Phil Haynes fill-in during the 2023 campaign. Pro Football Focus, however, graded Bradford as a bottom-10 guard option last season and viewed his 2023 performance as comparable. Tabbing Oluwatimi as a mid-pack center (19th), PFF graded Seattle’s O-line 31st last season. Weeks away from the 2025 slate, the team looks like it will return four starters from that unit. Tomlinson, whom Zabel is replacing at LG, joined the Texans in free agency.
A 2024 third-round pick, Christian Haynes has also mixed into both the center and right guard competitions. Haynes took early-camp reps at center, per the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta, but his stock looks to have dipped. Haynes has been working as the backup left guard, backup right guard and third-string center during camp, Dugar adds. A backup role appears likely for a player the Seahawks hoped would win a starting job by now. Haynes did not make any rookie-year starts. Mike Macdonald said (via Henderson) Oluwatimi should return to practice next week.
A new primary tight end, thanks to Noah Fant release, will flank the O-line soon. Although second-round rookie Elijah Arroyo figures to be heard from plenty as a rookie, Dugar notes AJ Barner is positioned as the likely Week 1 starter. A solid training camp has placed Barner in this role; the fourth-round pick started six games as a rookie.
Barner logged 242 snaps as a run blocker last season. Arroyo, who spent much of his time in the slot during his breakout 2024 Miami season, will likely not be asked to do that as often. Barner also caught 30 passes for 245 yards even as Fant worked as Seattle’s regular starter, representing another option for Sam Darnold this season.