NFL Player News

The Raiders released Cole on Tuesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Fellow veterans Mack Hollins and Tyron Johnson seem to have beat out Cole for depth WR spots on the team's initial 53-man roster. Their preseason usage suggests Hollins could be the No. 3 receiver to start the year, but it isn't a role that figures to involve many targets given that Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller (hamstring) all need to be fed. Cole is 29, but he could find work elsewhere given that he's eclipsed 350 receiving yards five times in five seasons since entering the NFL in 2017.

Jones (undisclosed) missed Tuesday's practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports.

After playing in the Bears' second preseason game against the Seahawks, Jones didn't suit up in the preseason finale against the Browns. With no word on the severity of his injury, he'll have over a week to recover in order to be ready for Week 1 against the 49ers.

Detroit waived Alexander on Tuesday.

Alexander joined the Lions in early August after playing in the USFL over the summer, and he appeared in all three preseason games in 2022. He tallied seven receptions for 49 yards during Detroit's exhibition games but was unable to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Texans released Conley on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Conley is an experienced starter who ran with the first-team offense this preseason, though he might've been with the backups if the Texans hadn't been resting top receiver Brandin Cooks. The team likely saves some money and cap space by going with a younger guy instead of Conley, assuming the veteran isn't re-signed in the coming days. Chris Moore or Phillip Dorsett could be Houston's No. 3 receiver behind Cooks and Nico Collins to start the season.

The Cowboys waived Smith on Tuesday, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Smith underwent ankle surgery in January but was back in action for training camp and racked up six receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown over three preseason games. However, he was unable to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

Kansas City waived Powell on Tuesday.

Powell spent the 2021 campaign on Kansas City's practice squad and was unable to make the team's 53-man roster for a second consecutive season. He seems like a candidate to land on a practice squad once again in 2022.

The Panthers waived Saunders on Tuesday.

Saunders dealt with a quadriceps strain for much of August but returned to action during the Panthers' preseason finale, operating mostly as a kick returner. The Ohio State wideout appeared in two games for Carolina last year, catching both of his targets for 11 yards.

McCutcheon made the Rams' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

McCutcheon caught 15 of 20 targets for 259 yards and two scores across three preseason appearances and parlayed his strong play into a spot on the initial 53-man roster. With Van Jefferson (knee) and Brandon Powell (knee) uncertain for Week 1, it's possible the undrafted rookie wideout enters the regular season as high as fifth on the depth chart.

Pettis has secured a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster, according to the team's official site.

Although Pettis was reported to have had an inconsistent start to training camp, he played well with the first-string offense in Chicago's final preseason game by posting 37 yards and a touchdown. He'll be in the mix to earn snaps as a depth receiver with Tajae Sharpe and Equanimeous St. Brown.

Harry (ankle) is one of seven receivers on the Bears' roster, according to the team's official site.

Harry is expected to miss time to start the season as he recovers from surgery that addressed a high-ankle sprain. When he returns, he'll compete for a depth role with Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis and Tajae Sharpe.