NFL Player News

Parker (undisclosed) missed practice Thursday, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

The report notes that Parker also missed Wednesday's session, but added that the wideout is believed to be "fine," per a league source. Assuming Parker's unspecified issue doesn't linger, the 2015 first-rounder is poised to serve as a key passing target for the Patriots this coming season while working alongside fellow WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne. During the 2022 campaign, his first with New England, Parker hauled in 31 of his 47 targets for 539 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. Those are numbers he has the ability to improve on in 2023 if he can continue to build chemistry with QB Mac Jones while also avoiding missing extended time due to injuries.

Westbrook-Ikhine has a chance for increased opportunities to begin the regular season with Kyle Phillips (knee) on IR, Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean reports.

Westbrook-Ikhine will need to miss the first four games of the regular season and Treylon Burks, who did return to practice Thursday, could still potentially be limited by the time Week 1's opener against the Saints rolls around. At worst, Phillips' absence opens the door for Westbrook-Ikhine to start the year as Tennessee's No. 3 wideout, with further upside if Burks doesn't start at 100 percent. Chris Moore could also be in the mix for increased depth opportunities behind top wideout DeAndre Hopkins.

Moore is one of six wide receivers to make The Titans' initial 53-man roster, Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean reports.

Moore looks to be in line for increased offensive opportunities Week 1 versus the Saints, with Kyle Philips (knee) on injured reserve to start the season. Treylon Burks returned to practice Thursday, but it's possible his knee injury could still limit him by the time the regular-season opener kicks off. In that event, Moore and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would be in the mix as streaming fantasy options behind DeAndre Hopkins.

Harty has secured a spot on Buffalo's initial 53-man roster.

Harty will start the season as Buffalo's top option in the return game while also handling a depth role on offense. He could see increased opportunities early in the season until Justin Shorter (hamstring) returns from IR, leaving him a chance to compete with Khalil Shakir for No. 3 reps behind Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports that Harty and Shakir should both handle snaps out of the slot when Diggs doesn't line up there.

Smith (groin) is expected to miss Week 1 versus the Titans due to a surgical procedure he underwent in August, Jeff Duncan of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Smith missed most of training camp and all of the preseason due to a groin injury sustained in early August, and while it sounds like his recovery timetable could allow him back on the field sooner rather than later, Week 1 may be a long shot. If New Orleans opts to place the sixth-year wideout on IR, he will need to miss at least four games. Keith Kirkwood and A.T. Perry will be in better position to handle depth snaps if Smith misses time, especially with No. 3 wideout Rashid Shaheed (groin) still not healthy.

Hutchinson caught four of six targets for a team-high 48 yards in Houston's preseason finale against New Orleans on Sunday.

Hutchinson had moments during the preseason but needs to develop consistency. "That's all we ask for from Hutch is continue to get better, work hard," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston. "That's what he's been doing, and it showed. It was good to see it finally come to fruition." Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, earned a spot on the 53-man roster, as did fellow wideout draftee Tank Dell.

Goodwin joined teammates on the practice field Tuesday, Doc Louallen of the Browns' official site reports.

Goodwin was removed from the non-football illness list and practiced for the first time during preseason training. He missed all of training camp with blood clots, but Goodwin is expected to be ready for the season opener against Cincinnati. Goodwin will serve as a downfield threat but doesn't project for any better than No. 4 on the depth chart when the top trio of Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and Donovan Peoples-Jones is healthy.

Evans (groin) has informed the Buccaneers that he will discontinue contract discussions Sept. 9, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The deadline is one day before the Bucs kick off their season with a game in Minnesota. It appears Evans will suit up regardless of the contract situation, as he practiced Thursday after dealing with a minor groin injury last week. He turned 30 a couple weeks ago and is entering the final season of a five-year, $82.5 million extension, with he and Chris Godwin serving as the far-and-away top options for new Bucs QB Baker Mayfield.

The Dolphins signed Sanders to the practice squad Wednesday.

Sanders spent the 2022 season and all of training camp in Miami but was let go on cutdown day. He's back in a familiar spot and will very likely see most of his work on special teams if he's called up to the active roster.

The Colts signed Rodgers to the practice squad Wednesday.

Rogers was once a well-regarded prospect but has had trouble finding his footing in the NFL. He did appear in 16 games in 2022, tallying 16 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown split between the Packers and Texans. He could have landed in the right spot to have a chance to contribute, as the Colts currently have only four healthy receivers on their depth chart.