One of the most intriguing quarterback competitions in the NFL this offseason has a new challenger.

The Cleveland Browns are adding a former Pro Bowler to their crowded quarterback room. Former Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley is signing with the Browns, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. His signing comes as the Browns’ passers miss some time with injury.

Huntley was a backup in Miami last season and made five starts for the Dolphins. He went 2-3 and completed 86 of 133 passes (64.7%) for 829 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 26 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns. His second win of the season as a starter came in a 20-3 victory over the Browns during Week 17.

Prior to his year in Miami, Huntley spent the first four years of his NFL career in Baltimore as a backup for starter Lamar Jackson. Huntley made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after going 2-2 as a starter filling in for the injured Jackson to close the season. He started the Ravens’ lone playoff game that season, a 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Huntley’s started a total of 14 games in his career with a 5-9 record in those starts.

Browns QB depth chart

Cleveland has released its first depth chart for the quarterback position on Aug. 4 that shows veteran Joe Flacco at the top. He’s expected to be the starter come Week 1 against Cincinnati.

Joe Flacco
Kenny Pickett
Dillon Gabriel
Shedeur Sanders
Tyler Huntley

Huntley’s signing adds another player to the Browns quarterback room comprised of veterans Pickett and Flacco as well as rookies Gabriel and Sanders.

Both Pickett and Gabriel are out of practice with hamstring injuries and Sanders just returned on Aug. 4 after taking time off due to shoulder soreness.

The 40-year-old Flacco started five games for the Browns in 2023 and led them to the playoffs. He went 4-1 as a starter in the regular season before Cleveland’s season came to an end in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs in a loss to Houston.

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. 

The person who threw a sex toy onto the court during the Golden State Valkyries’ 77-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream last week was charged with multiple offenses after he was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Delbert Carver was arrested and booked at the Clayton County Jail in Jonesboro, Georgia, on counts of disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure, and criminal trespass. He was released on an undisclosed bond on Sunday, and according to Clayton County court records obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the case is ‘pending,’ with a court date still to be determined.

During a game on Tuesday, July 29, a green object was thrown from the crowd at Gateway Center Arena and ended up near the top of the free throw line. Officials let play continue, and a law enforcement officer retrieved the toy by using a towel. Social media quickly picked up the story.

Another sex toy was thrown onto the court on Friday during the third quarter of the Valkyries’ game against the Chicago Sky, but no one has been arrested in that incident.

The WNBA warned of further action against any fan throwing objects on the court, saying violators would be ‘immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban,’ and could face charges from authorities.

‘The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league,’ the WNBA said in a statement. ‘Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans. In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities.’

In recent seasons, fantasy football managers have typically gravitated toward one of two draft strategies when selecting quarterbacks.

The first is to take one early to guarantee landing a top, dual-threat quarterback or high-volume passer. In recent years, the average draft position (ADP) of these types of quarterbacks – including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and the like – has ballooned into the Round 3-4 range.

The other strategy is to simply wait on the position. There are plenty of potential value picks and sleepers at quarterback, so waiting until the mid-to-late rounds of the draft can sometimes pay off.

These sleepers aren’t going to be cut from the same cloth as Allen, Jackson or Jayden Daniels. However, they still have higher ceilings than their ADP indicates, and that can be enough to make them league-winners at bargain prices.

Below are some of the best sleeper quarterbacks to target in fantasy football drafts ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall

Fantasy football QB sleepers 2025

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Prescott ranked just 22nd among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game (FPPG) last season before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. Even so, he should be primed for a bounce-back season.

Why? Because the Cowboys had the third-worst rushing offense in the league last season in terms of EPA per play (-0.12) and didn’t discernably upgrade their talent at the running back position.

That may force Prescott to be a high-volume passer in an offense that features a dynamic one-two punch at receiver in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. If that’s the case, he could end up being a steal given his 14th overall ranking in Fantasy Pros ADP among quarterbacks.

Justin Fields, New York Jets

As long as Fields has a starting job, he will be viable across fantasy football formats. He is one of just three quarterbacks in NFL history, along with Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick, to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season.

In six starts last year, Fields averaged 38.5 rushing yards per game and totaled five rushing touchdowns. He might not have the passing ceiling needed to be a consistent top-end quarterback, but his rushing floor will make him a great, mid-round value pick who can anchor a successful lineup.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Williams got a handful of big-time boosts ahead of his second NFL season. Most notably, the Bears hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to serve as their new coach. Johnson’s offensive system helped Jared Goff finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in three consecutive seasons, and there’s optimism the uber-talented Williams can make a similar leap.

Additionally, Chicago overhauled its offensive line after Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie. With better protection, the second-year pro should have more time to get the ball to DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III and improve upon his 24th overall ranking in FPPG.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Maye is in a similar boat to Williams. His team has upgraded its coaching staff, offensive line and receiver room in an effort to build around its young quarterback. That gives the 2024 NFL draft’s No. 3 overall pick plenty of upside entering his second season.

Maye already showed as a rookie he is a dynamic scrambler, as he racked up 421 yards and averaged 7.8 yards per carry. If he can continue to run at that rate while improving upon his solid passing numbers (66.6% completion rate, 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 12 starts), the UNC product could emerge as a low-end QB1 and high-end streamer.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Richardson was a massive bust last season, as he was drafted by many as a QB1 but finished 20th in FPPG and 25th overall at his position. It’s understandable many will want to stay away from him because of that, but few can rival his rushing upside.

Richardson has made 15 career NFL starts and has averaged 42.3 rushing yards across those with 10 rushing touchdowns. That ability gives him one of the best floor/ceiling combinations among the QB2s who could be drafted in 2025.

Of course, Richardson has his warts. He completed a league-worst 47.7% of his passes last season and sports a checkered injury history. Daniel Jones is also lurking in the background and could take over for the 2023 NFL Draft’s No. 4 pick if he should struggle.

Even so, Richardson is worth a flier in deep or SuperFlex leagues. He could end up being a league-winner if he is able to take a leap forward and remain on the field in his third season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter to be a two-way player at the NFL level.

That said, the Jaguars appear more confident in the Colorado product’s offensive ability as he kickstarts his NFL career.

Jacksonville released its first unofficial depth chart of the NFL preseason Monday. Hunter was listed as a starting wide receiver and a backup cornerback on defense.

Here’s what to know about Hunter’s placement on the Jaguars depth chart as the preseason begins.

Jaguars WR depth chart

Hunter is one of three players listed as a starting wide receiver on Jacksonville’s first offensive depth chart, according to the team’s official website. Below is a full look at the top six players at the position:

Brian Thomas Jr.*
Dyami Brown*
Travis Hunter*
Parker Washington
Trenton Irwin
Joshua Cephus

* Denotes starter.

It isn’t clear whether Hunter or Brown – a speedy, free-agent signing – is viewed as Jacksonville’s preferred No. 2 receiver across from Thomas.

Still, it’s noteworthy Hunter appears to be trending toward being a starter on offense ahead of his first NFL season. That aligns with the plan coach Liam Coen outlined after the Jaguars drafted Hunter: to use the rookie ‘primarily on offense’ during the offseason program before gradually allowing him to play more on defense as he learns the system.

Jaguars CB depth chart

Hunter was not listed as a starter on defense. Instead, he appears to be battling with Jarrian Jones for a backup role behind veterans Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis.

Below is a look at how the first- and second-string cornerback groups are currently shaking out in Jacksonville.

Tyson Campbell*
Jourdan Lewis*
Jarrian Jones OR Travis Hunter
Montaric Brown

* Denotes starter.

While Lewis is ahead of Hunter and Jones on the Jaguars depth chart, it’s worth noting 606 of Lewis’ 872 snaps last season with the Dallas Cowboys came in the slot. That may position the Hunter vs. Jones battle to be for the outside cornerback job that would open across from Campbell when Jacksonville is in its nickel package.

All that’s to say that while Hunter appears better poised to have a big role in Jacksonville’s offense to start his NFL career, he may not be far off from earning a critical defensive role.

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. 

A string of injuries has kept Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark sidelined for more than half of the Fever’s games this season, totaling the longest absence of her playing career. That streak is set to get longer.

Clark has been ruled out of the Fever’s road matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, Aug. 5, marking the eighth consecutive game she’ll miss due to a right groin injury suffered in the Fever’s 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun on July 15. Tuesday will mark the 17th regular-season game Clark has been sidelined this year.

Fever head coach Stephanie White said Clark’s recovery is ‘going well,’ but admitted that she doesn’t ‘know how far we are’ from Clark’s return. White said the team’s priority is making sure Clark is fully healthy before making her way back to the court to avoid any setbacks that could threaten her postseason availability.

‘For us, it’s just staying the course and making sure we’re really diligent about each step we take and that we don’t have setbacks and that we’re patient,’ White said ahead of the Fever’s 78-74 win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday, Aug. 3, which extended the team’s winning streak to five game. ‘I know she wants to be out here on the floor, and we want her out on the floor, but making sure she’s ready is the most important thing. I still don’t know how far we are. We’re going to take it one step at a time and one day at a time and go from there.’

Here’s everything we know about Clark’s status:

Is Caitlin Clark playing today? Injury status for Fever-Sparks

Clark was ruled out of the Indiana Fever’s matchup against the Sparks in Los Angeles on Tuesday with a right groin injury. There is no timetable for Clark’s return.

The game is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

How was Caitlin Clark injured?

Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston on July 15. With 39.1 seconds remaining in the contest, Clark completed a bounce pass to Kelsey Mitchell to put the Fever up 84-75. After the pass, Clark immediately grabbed for her right groin and grimaced as she gingerly walked over and headbutted the stanchion. She did not return to the game. 

How many games has Caitlin Clark missed this season?

Clark, who previously missed time due to a left quad injury and a left groin injury, has missed 16 of the Fever’s 29 games so far this season. Tuesday’s matchup against the Sparks will mark her 17th absence. She also missed the Fever’s Commissioner’s Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx on July 1, in addition to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and the 3-point competition held in Indianapolis.

 The team is 8-5 with Clark in the lineup and 9-7 without her on the floor.

Caitlin Clark injury timeline

May 24: Clark suffered a left quad injury during the Fever’s 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Clark couldn’t pinpoint the specific play that caused her injury, but noted that it happened early in the contest. Clark said, ‘Adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle. After the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see.’ She missed the Fever’s next five games.
June 14: Clark returned to Indiana’s lineup in the Fever’s 102-88 win over the Liberty and dropped 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in her first game back. 
June 24: Clark suffered a left groin injury in the Fever’s 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm, which resulted in Clark missing the team’s next four games. Head coach Stephanie White said she learned of Clark’s groin injury the following night after Clark alerted team trainers of discomfort.
July 1: Clark was ruled out of the Fever’s 2025 Commissioner’s Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis. That didn’t stop Clark from rightfully celebrating the team’s hardware.
July 9: Clark returned to the Fever’s lineup in the Fever’s 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Clark was limited to 10 points, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-5 from the 3-point line, in addition to six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers. Following the blowout loss, Clark said it was ‘going to take me a second to get my wind back. … Just trying to get my legs under me.’
July 15: Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston. White later confirmed Clark ‘felt a little something in her groin.’ This marked the last game that Clark suited up for.
July 18: Clark announced that she would sit out the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, where she was named a team captain. Clark was also set to participate in the 3-point contest. She said, ‘I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate… I have to rest my body.’
July 24: The Fever said Clark’s medical evaluations confirmed there’s ‘no additional injuries or damage,’ but the team said it will be cautious with Clark’s rehab and recovery.

Caitlin Clark stats

Clark is averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and a career-high 8.8 assists in 13 games this season. Her assists average is the second-highest in the league, behind Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas (9.2).

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was released from Los Angeles County jail on Monday, Aug. 4 after Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office decided not to file criminal charges following Perryman’s arrest on weapons violation charges, online records show.

Perryman, 32, was stopped Friday, Aug. 1 by South Los Angeles Station deputies for vehicle code violations, authorities said, and during a search deputies discovered five firearms in Perryman’s vehicle, two of which were assault style rifles. 

‘He was arrested and booked on weapons violation charges and was cooperative with deputies,’ Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

Perryman was being held without bail at the South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station and was scheduled to appear at Inglewood Court on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

But he was released from jail Monday after the District Attorney’s Office decided not to press charges.

Perryman is in his second stint with the Chargers, having played for them from 2015, when he was a second-round pick by the team when they were in San Diego, until 2020. Perryman also played for the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans before returning to the Chargers for the 2024 season. Perryman started all 11 games he played in last season.

Training camps are in full swing across the NFL. Teams are ironing out their depth charts and making roster moves to get down to 53 active players by the time the regular season rolls around.

This week offers a first glimpse at those depth charts as teams release them ahead of their first preseason games. That includes the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts are entering year three with coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson, who the team selected No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson’s played just 15 games over his first two seasons and gone 8-7 as a starter.

This offseason, Indianapolis signed veteran quarterback Daniel Jones to provide some depth at the position with starting experience. Given Richardson’s injury history, having Jones in the building could help keep the team afloat should he miss time again.

But Indianapolis made the curious move to not commit to a QB1 in their first depth chart announcement of training camp. Instead, they list the starting quarterback as Richardson or Jones.

“Both have been doing a really good job,” Steichen said earlier this week. “Both of them have made plays at a high level the last couple days, and that’s what you want to see. You want to see growth, you want to see completions, you want to see the offense moving up and down the field.”

Steichen hasn’t indicated which way he’s leaning for the starter in the Colts’ preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on the road. He stated that both Richardson and Jones will see time but hasn’t specified who will be under center to start the game.

Even then, Steichen’s made it clear that the competition is far from decided.

“They’ll play a good amount,” Steichen said. “I mean, one will play a good amount this game, and the next one will probably play a good amount the next game.”

Riley Leonard, the Colts’ sixth-round pick (No. 189 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, is behind Richardson and Jones on the depth chart as QB2. Former undrafted free agent Jason Bean rounds out the depth chart.

Indianapolis plays Baltimore in its preseason opener on Thursday, Aug. 7 before facing the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 16 and the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 23.

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.