NFL Player News

Burton caught four of five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 27-14 preseason loss to the Colts.

Burton failed to come down with a one-handed catch attempt down the sideline from Logan Woodside in the first quarter after his first catch went for no gain, but the rookie third-round draft pick racked up 35 yards in a three-play span in the third quarter before catching a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth to account for 56 of Woodside's 98 passing yards. Cincinnati didn't play its starters Thursday, so Burton's participation in the game is further evidence that he's behind Ja'Marr Chase (contract dispute), Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas on the wide receiver depth chart heading into the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Patriots. Burton scored two touchdowns in three preseason games, so it may be just a matter of time before he earns a larger role.

Mitchell caught two of four targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 27-14 preseason win over the Bengals.

Mitchell had a pair of nine-yard receptions on the opening drive, the second of which resulted in a touchdown over the middle from the slot. Anthony Richardson completed only one more pass across the starters' four other drives in the game, so Richardson was unable to build on his hot start. Mitchell's ability to line up outside or in the slot should earn the rookie second-round pick plenty of playing time out of the gate, especially with Josh Downs' (ankle) status uncertain for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Texans.

Pittman caught one of two targets for 12 yards in Thursday's 27-14 preseason win over the Bengals.

Pittman's lone catch came on the first drive, but he couldn't get anything else going as Anthony Richardson went cold on the next few drives, and Pittman dropped his only other target. The Colts are likely to be more effective on the ground than through the air given Richardson's rushing ability and the presence of star running back Jonathan Taylor, but Pittman projects to remain the top dog in a receiving corps that also includes rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs (ankle) and Alec Pierce. Pittman will begin the regular season Sunday, Sept. 8 against a Texans team that held him to two of his six lowest single-game yardage totals in 2023.

Pierce caught both of his targets for 31 yards in Thursday's 27-14 preseason win over the Bengals.

Pierce will be hoping that the opening drive was a preview of what we'll see in the regular season, as he caught two of Anthony Richardson's first three passes and accounted for 31 of Richardson's 65 passing yards on the possession. That drive was capped by a nine-yard touchdown catch from rookie first-round pick Adonai Mitchell, who is competing with Pierce for regular-season playing time. If Josh Downs (ankle) isn't ready to play in the Sept. 8 season opener against the Texans, both Pierce and Mitchell would be in line for significant roles alongside No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.

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.