NFL Player News

McMillan (knee) did not participate at the Buccaneers' practice Thursday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

McMillan has been sidelined all week after suffering a knee injury at some point prior to Monday's practice. The wide receiver has been wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg, and at this point, the team hasn't expressed a significant level of concern about the injury. McMillan will be battling with rookie Ted Hurst and second-year wideout Tez Johnson (groin) for targets behind expected leaders Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka in the wide receiver room this season.

The 49ers waived Dowell on Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dowell signed a reserve/future deal with the 49ers in January, making it through a week of training camp before being waived. The 2023 Titans seventh-round pick was waived so the 49ers could sign offensive lineman Kion Smith in a corresponding move after injuries sustained by Vederian Lowe (ankle), Carver Willis (concussion) and Nick Zakelj (upper body). If Dowell clears waivers, he will become a free agent able to sign with any team.

Nabers (knee) participated in team drills at Thursday's practice, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

This news needs to be taken with a grain of salt considering it was more of a walkthrough than a full-fledged practice, but Nabers continues to make progress in the later stages of his rehab from last season's ACL and meniscus tears in his right knee that he suffered Week 4. It remains to be seen if the Giants will clear him for preseason action, but he does seem to be on pace for a return early in the 2026 campaign, perhaps as early as Week 1 against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Pickens is taking part in Thursday's training camp practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Pickens failed to reach an agreement on a new deal with the Cowboys in the offseason and will play on the one-year, $23.7 million franchise tag in 2026. He and CeeDee Lamb are set to form one of the NFL's most formidable wide receiver duos while catching passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. Pickens is healthy but unlikely to see much action in the preseason, which kicks off for the Cowboys in Seattle on Aug. 15.

In his return to practice Thursday, Stribling (hamstring) didn't take part in team drills, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Stribling had been missing practice due to hamstring tightness, but his return to the field Thursday, albeit in a limited capacity, bodes well for a return to full participation before long. In the wake of Ricky Pearsall's season-ending knee injury, Stribling has a chance to see notable snaps as a rookie while working in 49ers WR corps that also features Mike Evans (quad), Deebo Samuel and Christian Kirk (calf).

Coach Sean Payton noted Thursday of Waddle, who left Wednesday's practice with muscle tightness, "I think we'll see him back in the next 4-5 days," Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, Payton said that Waddle is dealing with a "strain," though it's unclear which muscle is affected. According to Zac Stevens of DNVRSports and Luca Evans of The Denver Post, Waddle -- who did extended rehab/side-field work Thursday -- was spotted with a limp in the process, but based on Payton's comments, the wideout isn't expected to miss extended time ahead of Denver's Aug. 14 preseason opener.

Head coach Sean Payton clarified after Thursday's practice that Sutton isn't injured, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.

Sutton worked on a side field Thursday following days off Tuesday and Wednesday. The veteran wide receiver is simply getting some time to rest ahead of his ninth season with the Broncos, and Payton said Thursday that Sutton will ramp up his activity in Friday's walkthrough as the Broncos prepare for their Aug. 14 preseason opener in Atlanta.

Sutton, who was given his second consecutive off day Wednesday, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, worked on a side field during position drills Thursday, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.

On Wednesday, coach Sean Payton indicated that Sutton would practice Thursday, and while the wideout was out there, as expected, he didn't appear to be working fully. With no injury having been reported thus far, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post suggests that this could simply be a load management week for Sutton, with added context regarding his status set to arrive during the Broncos' next practice.

Brown has been among the Saints' top performers through seven training camp practices, Ross Jackson of Louisianasports.net reports.

Brown provided the highlight of Thursday's practice on a 46-yard touchdown catch from Spencer Rattler in a two-minute situation. The rookie sixth-round pick is building momentum in a Saints receiving corps led by Chris Olave and rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson. Brown will likely make his NFL debut Aug. 15 in the Saints' preseason opener against the Jaguars.

Ayomanor (shoulder) exited Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Per Wyatt, Ayomanor left Thursday's session early with a trainer, holding his left shoulder. For now, as he's being evaluated, per Wyatt, consider the wideout day-to-day as the Titans' Aug. 13 exhibition opener against the 49ers approaches. Ahead of the coming campaign, Ayomanor is line to compete for a rotational role in a Tennessee WR corps that features Carnell Tate, Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley, with fellow 2025 draftee Chimere Dike also in the mix.