NFL Player News

Bears coach Matt Eberflus was non-committal Wednesday when asked whether Claypool would see a reduced role this Sunday at Tampa Bay, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports. "We're looking at all possibilities right now," Eberflus said.

Claypool struggled as a blocker and finished without a catch on two targets in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Packers, operating as the No. 3 receiver behind DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney. The No. 3 role in a run-heavy Bears offense isn't conducive to fantasy value even if Claypool plays well in real life, which is something he arguably hasn't done since the middle part of his 2020 rookie season. Lack of effort as a repeat theme isn't promising, nor is it a good look when one of the largest wideouts in the league -- listed at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds -- repeatedly draws attention for poor blocking. Emma and other Bears beat reporters have hinted at the possibility of Equanimeous St. Brown being active instead of Claypool for Week 2 at Tampa Bay, with rookie Tyler Scott or veteran Trent Taylor likely taking the No. 3 receiver role in that scenario.

Metchie (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Metchie was sidelined for the Texans' loss to the Ravens this past Sunday after not practicing last week, but his return to the field suggests that the wideout could make his NFL regular-season debut Week 2 versus the Colts. If so, Metchie would be a candidate to compete with Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson for snaps at receiver alongside starters Nico Collins and Robert Woods after Noah Brown (groin) was moved to injured reserve Wednesday.

Burks won't practice Wednesday due to a personal matter, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Per Turron Davenport of ESPN.com, Burks is expected to return to practice Thursday. In the Titans' 16-15 loss to the Saints in Week 1, Burks started opposite DeAndre Hopkins and recorded two catches for 18 yards on three targets.

Dell is expected to handle an expanded role after the Texans placed on Noah Brown (groin) was injured reserve Wednesday.

Brown will miss a minimum of four games, which may pave the way for Dell to play consistently in three-receiver sets alongside Robert Woods and Nico Collins. However, the potential return of John Metchie (hamstring) in Week 2 could further alter the pecking order at wideout. In his NFL debut against the Ravens last weekend, Dell had three catches for 34 yards while playing 37 offensive snaps, compared to 52 snaps for Brown. Dell had a productive preseason, and the diminutive rookie has a nice opportunity in front of him, beginning with Sunday's game against the Colts.

Strachan is expected to sign with the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Strachan was cut from the Colts' practice squad Tuesday, so it didn't take long for the Charleston product to find a new home. The 2021 seventh-round selection appeared in 13 games for Indianapolis last season, recording three catches on nine targets for 59 yards.

The Texans placed Brown on injured reserve Wednesday with a groin injury.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Brown's groin injury is viewed as a short-term issue, which suggests that the wideout could be back in action Week 6 after missing the minimum four games. In Brown's looming absence, 2023 third-round rookie Tank Dell is expected to see added snaps alongside Nico Collins and Robert Woods.

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said Wednesday that Meyers remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Meyers still has time to clear the five-step protocol ahead of Sunday's game in Buffalo, but his status will need to be monitored over the next few days. Prior to being forced out of this past weekend's 17-16 win over the Broncos, Meyers caught nine of his 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined up to four weeks, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Johnson already appeared likely to miss Monday's game against the Browns after injuring his right hamstring in Pittsburgh's season-opening loss to the 49ers, and based on follow-up exams, he now looks like a potential candidate for injured reserve, if the estimated four-week recovery timetable is accurate. Pittsburgh is on bye Week 6, meaning if Johnson were to miss the next four games, his earliest return date would be Oct. 22 versus the Rams. For however long Johnson is sidelined, George Pickens, Allen Robinson and Calvin Austin will serve as the Steelers' top three wideouts.

Kirklin was cut from the Saints' practice squad Tuesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Kirklin spent most of training camp in New Orleans but was ultimately unable to carve out a spot on the roster. He subsequently landed on their practice squad, but it now looks like the team is going in a different direction. As a result, the pass catcher will be on the hunt for landing spot.

Pittsburgh signed Copeland to its practice squad Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The undrafted rookie will join his third NFL organization after cutting ties with Minnesota back in August. Barring a slew of injuries to Pittsburgh's wide receiver room, it doesn't seem likely Copeland will be elevated to the active roster anytime soon.