NFL Player News

Montgomery is slated to undergo further tests to determine the severity of the ankle injury he sustained in Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Montgomery had been projected to help fill the change-of-pace/pass-catching void created by the retirement of James White, but if he's forced to miss time into the regular season, rookie Pierre Strong is a candidate to see increased opportunities in New England's offense. Additionally, the team's top early down options, Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, could see added looks in the passing game out of the gate in such a scenario, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site notes.

Houston caught two of three targets for 25 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks.

The undrafted rookie free agent out of Western Illinois caught passes from two different quarterbacks on the night, connecting with Will Grier on an eight-yard reception late in the first quarter before helping set up the eventual game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 17-yard catch from Ben DiNucci. The fact that Houston was still on the field that late in the contest suggests he's on the roster bubble, but he's been impressing the coaching staff since OTAs and has helped his case with some strong work on special teams. If Houston does make the Week 1 roster, he'll be fighting with Jalen Tolbert, Noah Brown (toe), Simi Fehoko and KaVontae Turpin for snaps and targets behind CeeDee Lamb (foot) in a patchwork receiving corps that will eventually get reinforcements in the form of Michael Gallup (knee) and James Washington (foot).

Fehoko caught two of five targets for eight yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks.

The 2021 fifth-round pick wasn't exactly consistent in this contest, but the same could be said for the entire Dallas passing game, as a patchwork offensive line couldn't give the team's quarterbacks many clean pockets. Fehoko was on the other end of a one-yard TD toss from Will Grier in the second quarter on a designed rollout though, and overall he has looked much more comfortable heading into his second NFL campaign. Fehoko will be competing with Jalen Tolbert, Noah Brown (toe), Dennis Houston and KaVontae Turpin for snaps and targets behind CeeDee Lamb (foot) in Week 1, as that group of unproven wideouts tries to secure spots on the depth chart before Michael Gallup (knee) and James Washington (foot) return to action.

Tolbert caught two of five targets for nine yards in Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks.

A patchwork offensive line gave Dallas' quarterbacks little time to operate in the pocket, and as a result the whole offense sputtered at times, while Tolbert did little with the opportunities he did get. The 2022 third-round pick figures to be leaned on heavily to open the regular season with Michael Gallup (knee) and James Washington (foot) both sidelined. Tolbert has yet to see game action with Dak Prescott, but his preseason performances suggest the South Alabama product may not be ready to make an immediate splash in the NFL.

Eskridge caught one of three targets for eight yards in Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys. He also returned one punt for 18 yards.

The 2021 second-round pick didn't make much of an impression as a rookie, in part due to injuries, and that trend has continued into his second year, as a hamstring issue kept Eskridge sidelined for Seattle's first two preseason games. His ability to contribute on special teams, as well as the draft capital the team used on him, should ensure he has a roster spot in 2022, but Eskridge will still be behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf on the depth chart at wideout and working in a passing game that could take a big step backward with Geno Smith replacing Russell Wilson under center.

Hart caught his only target for a 35-yard touchdown in Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys. He also gained two yards on one carry.

The 26-year-old has yet to find his way into the end zone in 30 regular-season games, but Hart hooked up with Drew Lock in the first quarter to give Seattle a 10-0 lead. The duo nearly had another TD connection in the second quarter as well, but the third-year wideout couldn't hang on as Dallas cornerback Daron Bland ripped the ball out of his hands. Hart may have done enough to secure a roster spot, but he seems unlikely to open the year any higher than fifth on the depth chart, and the Seahawks' passing game in general figures to be less potent with Geno Smith replacing Russell Wilson under center.

Lockett caught both his targets for 35 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys.

The veteran receiver caught both his passes during Seattle's first possession of the night with Geno Smith under center, and both checked out the of game afterward. With Smith now named the Week 1 starter by coach Pete Carroll, Lockett will be working with a QB that may not look to stretch the field as much as Russell Wilson did, but the speedster is more than capable of supplying big plays on his own. During the three games Smith started in 2021, Lockett caught 16 of 23 targets for 189 yards, including a 142-yard eruption in Week 8 against the Jaguars.

Olave caught his only target for 19 yards in Friday's 27-10 preseason win over the Chargers.

Olave's only catch came on the opening drive on a pass thrown by starting quarterback Jameis Winston. The rookie first-round pick should see substantial playing time in the regular season right away in a Saints receiving corps that also features Jarvis Landry and Michael Thomas, the latter who is recovering from a hamstring injury heading into the Sept. 11 season opener in Atlanta.

Smith caught three of his four targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason win over the Bills.

Smith started over Rashard Higgins and alongside DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall. Robbie Anderson (quadriceps) was out, so Smith is still likely the team's third receiver at best, but he made a strong case for a role in the regular season with his performance Friday. Most notable was his 19-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter, when he split Buffalo's defense down the seam.

Marshall did not catch his only target in Friday's preseason win over the Bills.

Marshall started alongside DJ Moore and Shi Smith, leaving Rashard Higgins as the odd man out. Marshall's only target came in the third quarter from Sam Darnold (ankle), qualifying as the receiver's only appearance on the stat sheet. Though it came with little production, Marshall's presence on the field was encouraging after he suffered a hamstring injury Aug. 19 and was forced to miss Carolina's second preseason game.