NFL Player News

McCaffrey has less competition for playing time after the Commanders traded Jahan Dotson to the Eagles on Thursday.

McCaffrey strictly worked with Washington's second- and third-string offenses in the first two preseason games, but a lack of talent at WR behind Terry McLaurin suggests it may not be long before the rookie third-round pick gets regular playing time. Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus have been splitting perimeter snaps opposite McLaurin on the first-team offense, with Dotson getting most of the slot work pre-trade. McCaffrey has worked both outside and inside this summer, and at 6-foot-2 with 4.46 speed he isn't necessarily limited to the slot.

The Eagles acquired Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Commanders on Thursday in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

Dotson joins a Philadelphia wideout corps that will continue to be led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. In his new locale, Dotson should serve as the team's No. 3 wideout, a role that probably won't entail much volume so long as Brown and Smith remain healthy. In 17 contests in 2023, Dotson, a 2022 first-round pick, caught 49 of his 83 targets for 518 yards and four touchdowns.

49ers GM John Lynch said Thursday that he has no update on Aiyuk but remains in contact with the wide receiver, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's the offseason drama with no end, although at some point it might become slightly less complicated due to other teams losing interest in a trade (or at least giving San Francisco a deadline). The Steelers were thought to be the last man standing in that regard a week ago, with Cleveland and New England having failed to convince Aiyuk to sign a long-term deal post-trade. The 49ers still hope to sign him -- or at least get him back on the field under the fifth-year option he's currently under contract for -- and it would seem a trade becomes less and less likely with each passing day.

Johnson missed Thursday's practice with an illness, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

It's apparently minor, with David Newton of ESPN.com reporting that coach Dave Canales still hopes to have Johnson play in Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo. The Panthers didn't use many starters in their first two preseason games, resting QB Bryce Young and a slew of other players. Johnson recently missed some practices with a groin strain, but he was back on the field Tuesday and Wednesday after sitting out for less than a week.

Meyers and other starters aren't scheduled to play in Friday's preseason game against the 49ers, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

It sounds like the Raiders may also hold out some of their better backups, as QB Aidan O'Connell isn't expected to play Friday night. Come Week 1, the team will have a strong group of pass catchers competing for targets from Gardner Minshew in a road game against the Chargers. It'll be tricky for Meyers to match his 2023 numbers for volume (106 targets in 16 games) or touchdowns (eight rushing, two receiving), but there's no question he'll be on the field for a lot of snaps as either the second or third option in the Raiders' passing game (depending on rookie TE Brock Bowers' usage/progress).

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that he doesn't believe Shaheed's toe/foot injury will keep him out for long, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Shaheed missed a week and a half of training camp earlier in August with a hamstring injury and has now been out since Friday due to the lower-body injury. Johnson reports that Shaheed's injury isn't turf toe, and while Allen's assessment is encouraging for the wideout's Week 1 availability, it would be surprising if he plays in Sunday's preseason finale against the Titans.

The Chiefs waived Hayek (shoulder) with an injury designation Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Hayek has been nursing a shoulder injury since the beginning of August, and the Chiefs have now decided to part ways with the Villanova product. If Hayek clears waivers, he'll revert to Kansas City's injured reserve list and miss all of the 2024 campaign unless the two parties reach an injury settlement.

Swain (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Swain signed with the Bears in May after spending the majority of the 2023 season on the Dolphins' practice squad. The Florida product will now miss the 2024 campaign unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.

Taylor (undisclosed) worked off on the sideline during Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

It seems that Taylor sustained an injury in recent days, as he didn't participate in team drills Wednesday. The Lousianna Tech product is battling for the team's top kick and punt returner spot, so missing time could hurt his chances of winning those jobs. Expect Ronnie Bell to assume all the first-team punt and kick return duties while Taylor nurses his injury.

Gray was held out of Wednesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The SMU product is likely fighting for a depth role in San Francisco's wide receiver room, so missing time likely hurts his chances of making the team's 53-man roster. With Gray sidelined again, expect Tay Martin and Robbie Chosen to see more reps in the preseason.