Spencer Rattler named the Saints’ starting quarterback
Earlier today, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced that Spencer Rattler had beat out second-round draft pick Tyler Shough to earn the team’s starting quarterback job. The former fifth-round pick will lead the Saints into battle against the Arizona Cardinals on September 7th.
“Spencer Rattler is our starting quarterback,” Moore told reporters. “Really, really excited for him. He’s done an awesome job this offseason. He’s just been consistent. He’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process, and his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet have certainly showed up. I’m really, really excited about Spencer; he’s earned this opportunity. He’s going to do a tremendous job for us.”
Spencer Rattler appeared in seven games last season for the Saints, earning six starts. In those contests, he completed 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions, and 146 rushing yards.
“Obviously excited to be the guy going into Week One,” Rattler said to reporters. “Want to lead this team, want to lead these guys. Just keep fighting, that’s one thing I can promise, is putting my all on that field, and I know everybody else will. Good to gain that confidence from your coach to make that decision.”
The Raiders trade for Kenny Pickett and sign Amari Cooper
Last night, the Cleveland Browns announced that they had traded quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This move comes just three days after Raiders backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell fractured his wrist, which will cause him to miss six to eight weeks of action.
The Raiders also announced this morning that they had signed five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Aamari Cooper, reuniting him with the team that took him with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In 14 games last season with the Browns and Buffalo Bills, Cooper recorded 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.
More secondary support for the ‘Phins
The Miami Dolphins are signing former Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas to a one-year contract worth $3 million, according to NFL.com. In 15 starts last season for the Bills, Douglas recorded 58 total tackles, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
Jimmie Ward placed on the exempt list
Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, meaning he is not allowed to attend practice or travel with the team for games. Ward was arrested twice this summer: once on June 12th and again on August 8th.
A new kicker in Cleveland
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns are releasing kicker Dustin Hopkins, whose field goal percentage plummeted from 91.7% in 2023 to 66.7% in 2024. With no other placekickers on the roster, former Lou Groza award winner Andre Szmyt will be taking on the Browns’ kicking responsibilities.
The Titans lose a running back for four games
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears, who injured his ankle in the team’s preseason opener, is being placed on the injured reserve to start the 2025-26 campaign, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. With this move, Spears will miss the first four games of Tennessee’s season and will not be eligible to return to the field until Week Five.
Tyjae Spears was Tennessee’s second-best running back behind starter Tony Pollard. In 12 games last season, he amassed 536 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns.
Atlanta, New Orleans, Cleveland, and LA trade for offensive linemen
Earlier today, the Atlanta Falcons agreed to trade a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks for offensive tackle Michael Jerrell. A sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jerrell appeared in ten games last season, earning three starts.
The Dallas Cowboys announced that they had traded offensive lineman Asim Richards and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints. In return, the Cowboys will receive a 2028 sixth-round draft pick.
The Cleveland Browns are sending a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft to the Los Angeles Rams for offensive tackle KT Leveston.
Lastly, Houston Texans offensive lineman Austin Deculus is being traded to the Chargers for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.
Notable injuries and injury updates
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
- Tight end Mark Andrews missed Monday’s practice with an undisclosed injury.
- Cornerback Jaire Alexander is “pushing” to return to practice before the Ravens’ season-opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Carolina Panthers
- Wide receiver and first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, who has been battling a hamstring injury, returned to practice today.
Chicago Bears
- Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson will be on the initial 53-man roster after being activated off the PUP list, and he hopes to play Week One.
- Punter Tory Taylor was activated off the PUP list.
Cleveland Browns
- Quarterback Deshaun Watson was placed on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles.
Dallas Cowboys
- Wideout Jonathan Mingo will miss the first four games of the season after being placed on the short-term injured reserve.
- Rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. was placed on the non-football injury list.
Houston Texans
- Tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Defensive back Caleb Rensaw was placed on the injured reserve.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Running back Najee Harris was activated off the non-football injury list.
Miami Dolphins
- Running back De’Von Achane didn’t participate in practice due to a calf injury.
- Guard Austin Jackson is on track to play Week One.
- First-round draft pick and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is not at risk of missing the Dolphins’ season-opener.
- Guard Liam Eichenberg will be eligible to return in Week Five after being placed on the PUP list.
- Kicker Jason Sanders was placed on the short-term injured reserve and will miss the first four games of the season.
Minnesota Vikings
- Fullback C.J. Ham was placed on the short-term injured reserve.
New England Patriots
- Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk was placed on the injured reserve.
New Orleans Saints
- Tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were both placed on the PUP list.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Linebacker Nakobe Dean will miss the first four weeks of the season after being placed on the PUP list.
San Francisco 49ers
- Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was placed on the PUP list as he recovers from a knee injury, meaning he will miss the first four weeks of the season.
Washington Commanders
- Offensive lineman Sam Cosmi was placed on the PUP list.
