NFL Player News

The Jets signed Winstead on Friday.

Winstead bounced in and out of San Francisco's organization throughout the 2023 season but never made it past the practice squad. During a stint with the UFL's Arlington Renegades during their recent season, the 6-foot-4 wide receiver recorded 12 receptions for 175 yards and two touchdowns. The undrafted East Carolina product will have a long way to go to see the field with the Jets, but nothing is out of the question, especially after he gained experience in the UFL.

Fountain has been getting first-team reps with the offense through the first two weeks of Lions camp, Tim Twentyman of the team's official website reports.

"Fountain makes plays, he's making some plays," coach Dan Campbell said Friday. "Like you see the one-on-one, he makes a big, high catch there, and I think we all are intrigued with Fountain. We need to see more out of him, we need to see more. It's got to show up, man, he's got to be detailed in what he does. He's got an unbelievable opportunity here, he knows that, and we've got to see it." According to Twentyman, Fountain has been the "most consistent playmaker in camp so far" after Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Fountain, 28 years old, was a fifth-round pick of the Colts in 2018 and spent last season on the Lions' practice squad. He has two career catches for 23 yards across eight games but has dealt with numerous injuries since entering the league. Now healthy, Fountain is looking to earn a spot on a wide-open receiver depth chart in Detroit. There's no clear answer to who will operate as the Lions' third wideout in 2024. Fountain will need a big preseason to earn that role and should get ample chances.

As Friday's practice progressed, Douglas returned to wearing a red (non-contact) jersey, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

During the early portion of the session, Douglas worked without the red jersey, but it appears as though the wideout continues to exercise caution with what he has described as a minor hand injury. With that in mind, Douglas' Week 1 status is in no apparent danger, but it remains to be seen if he'll take the field in Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers.

Douglas (hand) didn't sport a red (non-contact) jersey during the initial portion of Friday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Douglas had been practicing with a red jersey due to what he described as a minor hand injury, but the 2023 sixth-rounder appears to be moving past the issue. As the coming season approaches, Douglas is expected to maintain a steady role in a crowded Patriots WR corps that parted ways with DeVante Parker this offseason but added 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, along with veteran free agent K.J. Osborn. Meanwhile, Kendrick Bourne continues to bounce back from a knee injury and returnees JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte are also competing for slotting. While there's plenty to sort out in the coming weeks, Douglas nonetheless figures to be a key target for whichever QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) is behind center for the team.

Coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Moore is being evaluated for a concussion after leaving Friday's practice early, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

With Moore having potentially suffered a concussion, consider the wideout day-to-day as the Browns' Aug. 10 preseason opener against the Packers approaches. When available, Mooreand Cedric Tillman figure to complete for slotting behind fellow WRs Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy (leg).

Coach Brian Daboll said Friday that Slayton is "tight" and won't be a full practice participant, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Slayton reportedly was limited Thursday, and he previously dealt with an undisclosed injury during June minicamp. It doesn't sound like anything serious, but perhaps the Giants will provide more details if Slayton isn't back at full strength next week.

Metchie caught one of two targets for four yards in Thursday's 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears.

Metchie, who was in the starting lineup, finished behind Xavier Hutchinson (six targets) and Ben Skowronek (four) as a target. Houston kept its top wide receivers out of the game, and these three figure to battle for the final two spots on the depth chart with Robert Woods and Noah Brown (undisclosed).

Johnson brought in three of six targets for 56 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears' 21-17 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday.

Johnson co-led the Bears in receptions and set the pace in both receiving yards and targets for the team on the night, recording 20- and nine-yard touchdown grabs from Brett Rypien in the second and third quarter, respectively, before the game was called early due to weather. Johnson's first score atoned for a drop on a catchable pass from Rypien earlier in the drive, and the 2020 fifth-round pick of the Jaguars ended up making a solid opening case for a reserve receiver role. Johnson is likely to receive ample opportunity to prove himself over the final three preseason contests, and his experience and downfield prowess should give him a good chance in a job battle with the likes of Velus Jones, DeAndre Carter and Dante Pettis.

Skowronek secured three of four targets for 28 yards in the Texans' 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears on Thursday.

The trade acquisition had been impressing during training camp practices, and Skowronek carried over the momentum into his official in-game debut with the Texans. The 2021 seventh-round pick of the Rams finished second in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night for Houston, with the highlight of his performance a leaping snare of a Davis Mills laser for a 27-yard gain on the Texans' second possession. Skowronek recorded a solid 39-376 line and also scored a rushing touchdown with Los Angeles in 2022, so he certainly has the ability to make a strong play for a reserve receiver role on what is a deep pass-catching corps.

Hutchinson brought in five of six targets for 56 yards in the Texans' 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears on Thursday. He also rushed once for eight yards.

The second-year pro led the Texans in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night due to the top receiver quartet of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Noah Brown (undisclosed) all sitting out. Hutchinson, who started Thursday's game and recorded a six-yard grab on the first offensive play, understandably filled a minor role in Houston's air attack as a rookie (8-90 line on 19 targets), and he'll have to fight for a roster spot again this summer with Robert Woods, John Metchie and offseason addition Ben Skowronek all vying for reserve spots.