NFL Player News

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that he probably "spoke too quickly" a day earlier when he mentioned that he expected Chase (contract dispute) to play Week 1 against New England, Charlie Clifford of WLWT 5 Cincinnati reports.

Chase practiced Sunday for the first time this summer, but he's now back to observational mode in street clothes as of Wednesday. Taylor used the term "day-to-day" when reporters asked him about the wideout after Wednesday's practice, noting that he'll "look forward to getting [Chase] back, hopefully at some point soon." Chase has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, including a fifth-year option for 2025, and presumably expects a new deal that's comparable to the ones signed by Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb in recent months.

Reagor was released by the Patriots on Tuesday, Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald reports.

Reagor put forth a valiant effort but ultimately failed to earn a spot on New England's 53-man roster, as the Patriots kept six healthy wide receivers on the 53-man roster in addition to placing Kendrick Bourne (knee) on the PUP list to begin the season. The 25-year-old Reagor will look to latch on with a new team after appearing in 56 games over the previous four seasons, split between the Eagles, Vikings and Patriots.

Ross signed with Kansas City's practice squad Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

Ross was waived by the Chiefs on Tuesday but went unclaimed, giving Kansas City the opportunity to keep the wide receiver in the organization as a member of the practice squad. Kansas City has seven wide receivers on its 53-man roster, so it may take a couple of injuries for Ross to earn a chance at a promotion after he dressed for 10 regular-season games with Kansas City as a rookie in 2023.

Samuel (toe) participated in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

Samuel is practicing in at least a limited capacity while wearing full pads Wednesday, which is a notable step in the right direction as he works to get healthy for Week 1. The versatile 28-year-old looks set for a significant role in Buffalo's wide receiver corps, but clarity on his status for the season opener against Arizona on Sept. 8 won't arrive until next week, when the Bills' first injury reports of 2024 are released.

The Panthers waived Coker on Wednesday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Coker made the Panthers' initial 53-man roster, but he's now been dropped as a result of the team's waiver claims, per Zietlow. The Holy Cross product was one of the top undrafted free-agents from the 2024 draft class, so he could definitely find his way onto another practice squad or active roster heading into his rookie campaign.

Waddle (undisclosed) is practicing in a red non-contact jersey Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waddle has been managing an undisclosed minor injury since early August, so while it's encouraging to see him still taking some reps, fantasy managers are eager for the star playmaker to resume practicing fully. The Dolphins are taking a cautious approach to Waddle's health, but with just 12 days remaining before the regular-season opener against Jacksonville on Sept. 8, next week seems like a reasonable target for Waddle to begin truly ramping up his workload. With Odell Beckham (undisclosed) and River Cracraft (upper body) both out for at least the first four games of the season, Miami's depth chart is thin behind Waddle and Tyreek Hill (hand).

Chase (contract dispute) isn't practicing Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Chase practiced Sunday for the first time this summer, with head coach Zac Taylor then noting Tuesday that he expects the wide receiver to play Week 1 against New England. Chase is present at Wednesday's practice but only as an observer in street clothes, adding the latest layer of intrigue 12 days before Cincinnati's season opener. Bengals owner Mike Brown said in July that the team would "bend over backwards" to sign Chase to an extension, but Brown also cautioned that it might take some time to work out a deal. The 24-year-old has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, including a fifth-year option for $21.82 million in 2025.

Hodge made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Hodge is back for a third season in Atlanta, and his role isn't expected to change much. He played a career-high 358 offensive snaps in 2023 but had similar production to his first year with the Falcons when he put up a 13-202-1 line. Hodge moves down the WR pecking order after the additions of Ray-Ray McCloud and Darnell Mooney, but will remain a key special-teams player for Atlanta in 2024.

The Bears placed Pettis on injured reserve Tuesday with an undisclosed injury, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.

With no designation to return, the only way Pettis can play this season is if he reaches an injury settlement and gets released by the Bears. He scored a pair of touchdowns during the preseason but isn't likely to be more than a fifth or sixth wideout even if he gets healthy at some point soon.

Downs (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Downs hasn't practiced since suffering a high-ankle sprain Aug. 7, which was 32 days before the Colts' Sept. 8 season opener against Houston. Head coach Shane Steichen said Sunday that he's hopeful Downs will be available for the season opener, but the wideout's continued absences from practice suggest he's in danger of sitting out. Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell both had full-time roles on the first-team offense this preseason alongside No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.