NFL Player News

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.

Harrison is expected to play in the preseason, Theo Mackie of AZ Central reports.

Harrison noted his desire to play in the exhibition season after practice Thursday, citing both getting accustomed to game speed and simply wanting to engage in competition. Coach Jonathan Gannon echoed Harrison's sentiments, suggesting he wants the star rookie receiver to get into some game action. There's been no formal plan announced for Harrison's involvement, but it would be surprising to see him on the field for an extensive period of time prior to Week 1 of the regular season.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Thursday that Harty (undisclosed) is dealing with a minor soft-tissue injury but is expected to return to practice soon, per NFL.com.

It's not clear where exactly Harty is experiencing the injury, but the sixth-year wideout has been absent from practice all week, per Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. After playing with the Bills in 2023, Harty signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in April, and he is slated as the primary returner on kickoffs and punts for the upcoming season. On punt returns last year, he registered 323 yards and one touchdown across 16 regular-season games.

Burton exited Thursday's practice early after having his foot/ankle examined, Jason Hoffman of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Per Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com, Burton suffered only an "ankle tweak" and his exit from practice was precautionary. Once the 2024 third-rounder returns to the field, he'll continue to compete with Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones for slotting behind top WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The Saints signed Callaway to a contract Thursday.

The move comes after the Saints waived tight end Tommy Hudson (undisclosed) with an injury designation. Callaway spent the first four years of his career in New Orleans, starting in 2020. His best season came in 2021, when he posted 46 catches for 698 yards and six touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. Callaway signed with the Steelers in January after appearing in just three games in 2023, but he was let go by Pittsburgh on Tuesday. With Equanimeous St. Brown dealing with a hamstring injury, Callaway has the opportunity to earn a spot as a depth wide receiver behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Cedrick Wilson.

The Falcons waived Baldwin on Thursday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

The move makes room on the 90-man training camp roster for tight end Jordan Thomas. Baldwin joined the Falcons on May 21 after being waived by the Vikings on May 7. His lone appearance in the NFL came with the Browns in 2022, when he caught two passes for 25 yards in Week 15 against the Ravens. Should he clear waivers, Baldwin will look to catch on with another team in need of depth at wide receiver.

With DeAndre Hopkins possibly in line to miss 4-6 weeks with a knee issue, Burks is slated to see first-team reps in the meantime, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.

While the Titans are are optimistic about Hopkins' return, the initial timetable on that front suggests that he's not a lock to be ready for Week 1 action. In the event that Hopkins is out or limited early on this season, Burks would be in line to see added opportunities alongside fellow WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

The initial diagnosis on the reported knee injury Hopkins is dealing with is that the wideout could miss 4-6 weeks, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Davenport notes that Hopkins was spotted with a wrap on his left knee at practice Wednesday, and now it looks like he'll miss some time. Per Davenport, the Titans are optimistic, but at this stage it looks like Hopkins being ready for Week 1 could represent a best-case scenario. Added opportunities will be available for Treylon Burks for any length of time that Hopkins is sidelined.

Hopkins reportedly suffered a strained knee Wednesday or Thursday, according to Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com.

We'll look for added context and confirmation of the report, but Kuharsky suggests that Hopkins could potentially miss in the neighborhood of four-to-six weeks. In such a scenario, Tyler Boyd and Treylon Burks would be candidates to see added WR opportunities for the Titans alongside Calvin Ridley.