NFL Notebook

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — When the Minnesota Vikings became the proud owners of a rookie quarterback by drafting J.J. McCarthy in the first round, their potential road to a Super Bowl came into focus — starting with speed bumps.

Beginning the 20th season of ownership of the Vikings, the Wilf family has no misgivings about the amount of time McCarthy might take to develop — even if one of the NFL ‘s longest chases for a championship drags on into a third decade running the franchise.

“We want to win, but we also try to think about the long-term health of the organization, not just business-wise, but winning,” said owner and president Mark Wilf, who with his older brother Zygi Wilf and cousin Lenny Wilf led the purchase of the Vikings in 2005. “That’s what our fans want. That’s what we want. We’re trying to build for the long term.”

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from national champion Michigan, has had his share of highlight-reel throws during training camp that stand out from the predictable learning-curve moments. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has given veteran Sam Darnold almost all of the turns with the first-team offense, the most obvious sign that McCarthy is likely bound for a developmental season.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play in Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Green Bay Packers as the Browns continue to take a cautious approach after he underwent right shoulder surgery in November.

Coach Kevin Stefanski announced his plans with Watson before Tuesday’s practice, which was moved indoors because of rain and high winds. There were several tornado warnings across Northeast Ohio.

Jameis Winston will start at quarterback for the Browns and make his debut with the team after signing as a free agent in March.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kyler Murray won’t play in the Arizona Cardinals’ three preseason games as the team tries to keep the two-time Pro Bowl selection healthy heading into the upcoming season.

Coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters on Tuesday that he likes “how the offense is operating and I think he will get done everything he needs to get done to be the best version of himself on opening day.”

The 26-year-old Murray missed roughly 11 months over the past two seasons after tearing the ACL in his right knee in a game during the 2022 season. He missed the first nine games of last season before returning.

LAS VEGAS, NV — Raiders coach Antonio Pierce hopes to finally take a major step forward Saturday in picking the starting quarterback when Las Vegas opens its preseason at Minnesota.

Pierce said a decision will be made later this week whether incumbent Aidan O’Connell or free agent signee Gardner Minshew would start, but each player will receive a quarter’s worth of action.

“Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn’t matter,” Pierce said.

The Raiders have split repetitions between both quarterbacks in training camp, including giving each roughly equal amount of snaps with the first-team offense.

(Associated Press)