NFL Player News

The Jets signed Black to the team's practice squad Wednesday, Randy Lange of the team's official site reports.

Black was waived as a part of the Jets' final roster cuts Tuesday after he totaled four receptions for 47 yards throughout the team's first two preseason games. Should any of the Jets' receivers miss game action, the 6-foot-3, 213-pounder is a candidate to be elevated for replacement.

The Patriots have placed Thornton (collarbone) on injured reserve, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Thornton, who is bouncing back from a procedure to repair a fractured clavicle that he suffered on Aug. 19, thus is slated to miss at least the first four games of the coming season, with the report suggesting that the wideout's initial recovery estimate called for a potential return to action in mid-to-late October. Once Thornton gets back into the mix, he'll add speed and depth to a New England WR corps currently headed by DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor.

The Saints signed Dixon to the team's practice squad Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie wide receiver failed to make the Saints' final roster Tuesday, but he figures to serve as a depth option should any member of the team's WR corps miss any time. Dixon recorded a team-high four receptions and 33 receiving yards during New Orleans' preseason opener, but he was otherwise quiet throughout the team's final two exhibitions, catching just one pass for five yards.

The Saints signed Shaheed to their practice squad Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Shaheed failed to survive the Saints' final roster cuts Tuesday, but he should now return as a candidate for a promotion or elevation to the active roster should the team's wide receivers undergo injuries. The rookie didn't appear in any of New Orleans' preseason contests.

The Giants signed Moore to the practice squad Wednesday, Michael Eisen of the team's official site reports.

Moore was waived as part of the Giants' final roster cuts Tuesday after spending the last two seasons on the Ravens' practice squad. The 25-year-old has yet to make his NFL debut, though he will be eligible for possible gameday elevations while on New York's practice squad heading into the regular season.

The Saints signed Merritt to their practice squad Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Merritt was waived as a part of the Saints' final roster cuts Tuesday after he spent time both as a receiver and as a running back during camp. The 25-year-old will provide a versatile depth option for New Orleans if the team is bothered by injuries this season.

The Bears have claimed Smith-Marsette off waivers from the Vikings, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 2021 fifth-rounder was the odd man out in the Vikings' wideout corps as Week 1 approached, but Smith-Marsette now will add depth to a Chicago wide receiver group that profiles as a work in progress, currently led by top option Darnell Mooney.

Chicago placed Harry (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday.

Harry won't be eligible to come off IR until Week 5 at the earliest, giving him time to recover from an August procedure to address a left high-ankle sprain. When Harry gets back to full health, he could be afforded a solid degree of opportunity in a wide receiver corps needy for a true difference-maker behind Darnell Mooney.

Giants GM Joe Schoen said Thursday that the team does not plan to trade Slayton before the season opener against the Titans on Sept. 11, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Schoen added that the Giants are still "open" to trade possibilities for Slayton after the wideout managed to make the team's 53-man roster to open the regular season. It's likely that the 25-year-old's days in New York are numbered, though he could improve his potential trade value as both a return specialist and receiver during the team's Week 1 matchup against the Titans.

Bowden signed a contract with New England's practice squad Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Bowden was waived by the Dolphins on Monday after he failed to carve out a spot in the team's relatively deep corps of wideouts this preseason. The 24-year-old has played multiple offensive positions -- including quarterback, running back and wideout -- dating back to his college days with Kentucky. Bowden will likely need to work his way into a similar multi-positional role in order to secure a spot on New England's active roster.