NFL Player News

Metchie practiced with the first- and second-team offenses during the first days of training camp, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Metchie, a second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, was expected to be an immediate contributor as a rookie, but a leukemia diagnosis wiped out the entire season. His return is seen as an inspiration for the young team, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said it was an "honor to be his coach." Michael Woods and Nico Collins are expected to top the wide receiver depth chart, leaving Metchie to compete with Noah Brown, Nathaniel Dell and Xavier Hutchinson as the third wideout.

The Bills waived Wayne on Friday.

Wayne, the cousin of former NFL star Reggie Wayne, signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent in late April, but he's been let go to make room for Andy Isabella. Wayne, out of South Alabama, posted 58 receptions for 815 yards and nine touchdowns during his final collegiate campaign.

Isabella is signing with the Bills, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 2019 second-round pick is an undersized receiver with sub-4.4 speed, now on his third NFL team after spending three-plus seasons with the Cardinals and most of last year with the Ravens. Isabella will turn 27 midseason and will need to compete with a slew of young players for a spot at the bottom of the depth chart in Buffalo.

Dotson told reporters Thursday that he has "all the confidence in the world" heading into his second NFL season.

The 2022 first-round pick is one off the stronger candidates for a second-year fantasy breakout, coming off a rookie season in which he scored seven touchdowns in 12 games and accrued 66 percent of his yardage and 57 percent of his targets over the final five weeks. Quarterback play remains a potential problem in Washington, but Dotson doesn't see it that way and has relayed optimism about QB Sam Howell multiple times this offseason. Full-on breakout or not, Dotson at least figures to see more volume than he did last year and appears locked in alongside Terry McLaurin as one of the top two options in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Johnson's early exit from Friday's practice was related to the heat, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Mike Tomlin added that two other players, TE Connor Heyward and DL DeMarvin Leal, missed part of Friday's practice because of the heat. This seemingly confirms reports suggesting Johnson's injury didn't look serious, so he should get back on the practice field soon enough to continue building chemistry with second-year QB Kenny Pickett.

Johnson left Friday's practice early and went back to the locker room on a cart, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

There's no initial indication of a serious injury, with Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com noting that it's a good sign Johnson was sitting in the front seat of the trainer's cart rather than riding in the back. Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site agrees the injury didn't look serious and reports that Johnson briefly returned to practice after first getting hurt. The 27-year-old is expected to operate as one of QB Kenny Pickett's top receiving options again, though the Steelers may want to scale Johnson's volume back a bit after he saw 147 targets last season without scoring a touchdown and falling short of 900 receiving yards.

Benson (knee) took part in practice Wednesday, John Maakaron of The Oakland Press reports.

Benson has recovered from the knee injury that cut his 2022 season short. The 26-year-old wide receiver will compete for a roster spot with Detroit in the preseason.

Flowers has made a strong first impression on and off the field, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Flowers has displayed terrific shiftiness, earning the nickname "the joystick" from quarterback Lamar Jackson, with whom the rookie first-round pick is already building chemistry. Flowers has also done all the right things when it comes to preparation, both in meetings with the coaching staff and in the weight room. The receiver out of Boston College is set to play a prominent role out of the gate in a new-look Ravens offense that's looking to employ a more pass-heavy attack led by tight end Mark Andrews and the wide receiver trio of Flowers, Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman (foot).

Williams was waived by the Broncos on Friday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Williams was signed by the Broncos on Tuesday, but the team decided to waive him shortly thereafter in a move that corresponded with the signing of wide receiver Michael Bandy. It's the second time that Williams has been let go by the Broncos this offseason after initially signing as an undrafted free agent in June before being waived a week later to make room for Frank Clark. Williams posted 28 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns in his 2022 season at UNLV.

Bandy signed with the Broncos on Friday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Bandy started last season on the Chargers' practice squad but took advantage of injuries to the wideout corps, catching 10 of 21 targets for 89 yards in 10 games. He was also on 39 special teams snaps last season and has experience as a kick returner in 2021, which could give him an edge as he competes for a roster spot.