NFL Player News

Skowronek (leg) practiced Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports.

Skowronek, who sat out last week's preseason contest, figures to see action in Saturday's finale against the Rams, his former team. Depth spots are up for grabs, and Skowronek will continue to battle with John Metchie, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods and Steven Sims.

The Bears signed LeBlanc to a contract Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

LeBlanc was waived by the Bears on Aug. 4, but he's back with Chicago after Freddie Swain (undisclosed) reverted to IR on Wednesday. LeBlanc is a long shot to make the Bears' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he has the opportunity to make a case to stick around on the practice squad.

Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury mentioned that Allen's "explosive" traits remind him of Deebo Samuel, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Listed as a wide receiver, Allen has been getting reps out of the backfield in Washington. "He's a guy that we could see similar -- I'm not comparing -- but Deebo type role to move him around, do different things," Kingsbury said, via John Keim of ESPN.com. "He has that type of explosiveness and ability to play in the slot or you can hand it to him." Allen went undrafted out of UCLA last year and spent much of 2023 on the Commanders' practice squad. He has four carries for 15 yards and a fumble this preseason, adding one catch for 12 yards on two targets. Washington's wideout room is wide open behind Terry McLaurin following Thursday's trade of Jahan Dotson to the Eagles.

Higgins isn't in line to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Colts, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Higgins thus will make just one appearance during exhibition season, having hauled in two of three targets for 19 yards and a touchdown from QB Joe Burrow back in preseason Week 1 versus the Buccaneers. Fellow WR Ja'Marr Chase returned to the Bengals' facility Monday after he was away from the team for most of the previous week due to his ongoing contract dispute. It doesn't seem likely that the situation will linger into the regular season, but if it does, Higgins would be the clear-cut top pass catcher in Cincinnati's offense for as long as Chase doesn't suit up.

Shepard (undisclosed) is not likely to suit up for the Buccaneers' preseason finale against the Dolphins on Friday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

An unspecified injury has kept Shepard from playing in either of the Bucs' first two preseason games, and it appears he will also sit out for the preseason finale Friday. Despite missing an extended amount of time, the 2016 second-round pick is expected to make Tampa Bay's 53-man roster as a backup wide receiver behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. Shepard signed a one-year deal with the Bucs in June after spending the first eight years of his NFL career with the Giants.

Tipton (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Tipton was making waves early in training camp, with his 4.33-second 40-yard dash time fully on display as both a wide receiver and return specialist. Unfortunately, he has missed both of New Orleans' preseason games due to a hamstring injury he sustained in early August. A lingering injury would normally keep a player out of preseason action, but with Tipton competing for a final spot on the Saints' 53-man roster, he could suit up for Sunday's exhibition finale against Tennessee.

Lockett (leg) didn't take part in Thursday's practice, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Lockett now has been sidelined for more than a week due to a leg injury that coach Mike Macdonald didn't consider to be serious last Wednesday, Aug. 14, per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. As a result, the Seahawks seem to be exercising caution with the nine-year pro to make sure he's healthy for a Week 1 matchup with the Broncos in Sunday, Sept. 8.

Bell has not participated in practice since injuring his quadriceps in Cleveland's preseason opener against Green Bay, Kelsey Russo of the the Browns' official site reports.

With Bell missing nearly two weeks of practice, it's unlikely that the 2022 third-round pick will suit up for the Browns' preseason finale against the Seahawks on Saturday. Bell has had a strong training camp, and despite missing multiple weeks due to injury, he is expected to make the 53-man roster as a depth wide receiver behind starters Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.

Chark (undisclosed) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Chark was shook up during Monday's practice, with Daniel Popper of The Athletic suggesting afterward that the wideout may have sustained a hip issue. With another missed practice under his belt Thursday, Chark doesn't seem likely to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Cowboys.

Coach Shane Steichen relayed earlier this week that the Colts plan to play their starters, including Pittman, for about a quarter and a half in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bengals, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.

The Colts rested key skill players this past Saturday against the Cardinals, but Steichen wants to see regulars like Pittman get some snaps in Thursday before giving way to the team's reserves. As the coming season approaches, Pittman remains the clear-cut top option in Indy's WR corps, a high volume role that yielded him a 109-1,152-4 receiving line in 16 regular-season games in 2023.