NFL Player News

McLaurin (toe) isn't practicing Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin is 10 days removed from injuring his toe in a preseason win over the Ravens, with his status for Week 1 against Arizona in serious question. He was diagnosed with turf toe and hasn't practiced since, but McLaurin still has some time to get on the field before Washington's season opener Sun., Sept. 10.

The Cowboys signed Johnson to the practice squad Wednesday after having released him Tuesday, Patrik Walker of the team's official site reports.

Johnson couldn't make Dallas' initial 53-man roster, but he did show enough in training camp to earn a practice squad spot. He logged four total appearances between the Texans and Raiders last season, bringing in his only target for a gain of eight yards.

The Cowboys signed Moreno-Cropper to the practice squad Wednesday, Patrik Walker of the team's official site reports.

Moreno-Cropper put together a solid offseason with Dallas, so it's not surprising to see the team keep him around as a practice-squad member. The undrafted rookie out of Fresno State showcased 4.40 speed at the combine.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach suggested Wednesday that Rice will start the season as a part-time player, Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Veach used the term "package player" to describe Rice and Justyn Ross, while 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore was said to have earned an "every-down" role. Rice, a 2023 second-round selection, had the fifth-most receiving yards (155) in the NFL this preseason, but he spent significant time playing with backups and dropped two or three passes in the Chiefs' final exhibition. His role for Week 1 against the Lions partially depends on the health of Kadarius Toney's knee, with Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling being the safe bets to take on the majority of Kansas City's wideout snaps in the opener.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach suggested Wednesday that Moore will start the season in an every-down role, Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Veach said fellow young receivers Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross will start the year as "package" players but could eventually progress to every-down roles. Moore apparently has already reached that level, earning a top-three spot at receiver heading into Week 1 after spending most of his rookie season fourth or fifth on the depth chart. He and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are the favorites to lead Kansas City's receivers in snaps Week 1 against Detroit, though Kadarius Toney (knee) could also be a big part of the passing game if he's healthy enough to play.

Thompkins secured a spot on the Buccaneers' 53-man roster as a reserve receiver and as the team's top kick returner, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The speedy Thompkins enjoyed a busy preseason during which he recorded four receptions for 22 yards, returned three kickoffs for 73 yards and ran back four punts for 12 yards. The second-year player could have a fairly meaningful role on offense in addition to his return duties, considering he's projected to open the campaign as the No. 4 receiver and could usurp rookie Trey Palmer for the No. 3 role at some point.

Wesley was signed to the Raiders' practice squad Wednesday.

Wesley was most recently a member of the Cardinals, but he spent all of the 2022 campaign on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. The veteran wideout will now look to develop as a member of the Raiders' practice squad in hopes to carve out a depth role on the team's roster.

Ross was signed to the Raiders' practice squad Wednesday.

Ross was waived by the Patriots on Tuesday, but the wideout quickly found a spot with the Raiders' practice squad Wednesday. Ross has spent time on both the Titans' and Patriots' practice squads since 2018, but he'll look to make a name for himself as he practices with the Raiders throughout the upcoming 2023 campaign.

Erickson was signed to the Chargers' practice squad Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Erickson was a preseason standout for the Jets but was unable to make it on their final 53-man roster. He spent his first six seasons with the Bengals before spending the majority of 2022 on Washington's practice squad. The Wisconsin product will now look to adapt in Los Angeles and work to make an impression at practice.

Metcalf didn't play during the preseason but will be ready to suit up for the Seahawks' Sept. 10 season opener versus the Rams.

Metcalf earned a career-high 141 targets in 2022, though his efficiency took a hit, as he averaged a career-low 7.4 yards per target. The addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (wrist) may eat into Metcalf's target share slightly in 2023, though the latter's efficiency could positively regress by having the rookie wideout and Tyler Lockett taking the spotlight off of him. Regardless, fantasy managers should be confident in Metcalf heading into his age-25 season after Geno Smith proved to be a viable starting quarterback in 2022.