Jameis Winston picked opportune moments to let it fly in first NFL start since 2019.

Winston completed touchdown passes of 43 and 29 yards to second-year pro Marquez Callaway, and the Saints defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-21 in a preseason game on Monday night.

“Everybody knows Jameis has got a good arm,” Callaway said. “He’s going to throw it to where we can make a play.”

Winston completed 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards without an interception, bolstering his candidacy to succeed NFL all-time leading passer Drew Brees as the Saints’ starter.

“I haven’t started a football game in so long, man,” Winston said. “So, I was so excited just to get an opportunity to start and lead the pack.”

While Winston lamented missing “the easiest throw of the night,” he left the field confident that he made high-percentage throws and minimized the type of risk-taking that defined his last season in Tampa Bay, when his NFL-high 30 interceptions marred a campaign in which he also eclipsed 5,000 yards passing and connected on 33 TDs.

 

Medical appointment will cost Newton time

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton will miss at least three days of practice this week after traveling to a team-approved, out-of-town medical appointment over the weekend, possibly opening the door for rookie Mac Jones to gain ground in their competition to be the Week 1 starter.

The team said in a statement Monday that Newton went to the appointment Saturday and tested negative each day for COVID-19.

But because of a “misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities” that is required by NFL and NFLPA protocols, he has been subjected to a five-day, re-entry cadence before he can return to the Patriots’ team facilities. The earliest he is eligible to return is Thursday.

The statement said Newton will continue participating in team activities virtually while he is being held out of practices. How it will affect his availability for the Patriots’ exhibition finale against the Giants on Sunday will be determined. The Giants will be in Foxborough for joint practices Wednesday and Thursday before hosting New England for the game.

 

With McCarron out, Falcons seek backup QB

The Atlanta Falcons plan to sign a quarterback this week after losing backup AJ McCarron to a season-ending knee injury.

The Falcons began working out free-agent quarterbacks after Monday’s practice. Coach Arthur Smith said the team could audition more quarterbacks next week. Atlanta likely will look at final cuts from other teams before making a decision on their quarterback depth chart for the regular season.

The Falcons confirmed late Sunday that McCarron will miss the season. An MRI showed McCarron suffered an ACL injury to his right knee in Saturday night’s 37-17 preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins.

McCarron was the favorite to open the season as Matt Ryan’s backup. His injury leaves rookie Feleipe Franks as the only other quarterback on the roster.

 

Panthers playing it safe with McCaffrey

Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule is playing it safe when it comes to Christian McCaffrey’s playing time in the preseason.

Rhule said that while most of the team’s starters will play about one half in Carolina’s preseason finale Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team’s star running back will be “very, very limited” — if he plays at all.

“He will take a lot of hits during the season, more so than anyone else out there on the field, so we will save his hits for the season,” Rhule said following Carolina’s practice Monday.

McCaffrey has not played in either of Carolina’s preseason losses with rookie Chuba Hubbard seeing the bulk of carries.

McCaffrey said he feels as if he got some of the absorbing blows during two joint practices each with the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts.

“For sure, not only practicing against those guys, but our team practices pretty physical as well,” McCaffrey said. “I think it is important to get a little contact in before the season.”

 

Barkley uncertain for Giants’ preseason finale

The New York Giants are heading into their final preseason game with the status of star running back Saquon Barkley uncertain.

Coach Joe Judge had plans to meet with team doctors Monday to discuss what the 24-year-old will be able to do during joint workouts with the New England Patriots this week.

Barkley tore his ACL in the second game of last season and had reconstructive surgery in October. He has been rehabilitating his right knee for the past nine-plus months.

The Giants have been ramping up Barkley’s workload since training camp opened late last month, starting him on the physically unable to perform list. While he is off PUP, he still has not been given the green light to practice fully.

“He keeps advancing in his rehab,” Judge said. “I know he’s foot tapping every day, wanting to do more and more, and physically he keeps progressing and showing us that he can do more and more.”