NFL Player News

McLaurin will not suit up in Saturday's preseason finale against the Ravens, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

The Commanders are resting essentially every key starter on both sides of the both. With Jahan Dotson, Cam Sims (concussion) and Curtis Samuel also sidelined, expect Dyami Brown and Dax Milne to see the starting reps in Saturday's contest.

Johnson caught three of four targets for 38 yards in Friday's 27-26 preseason loss to the Cowboys.

Johnson's first catch was late in the third quarter as he caught a deep pass from Drew Lock for a 26-yard gain. The 24-year-old receiver recorded six catches (eight targets) for 75 yards over three preseason games. He's on the roster bubble ahead of cutdown day Tuesday.

Melton caught his lone target for a 24-yard gain in Friday's 27-26 preseason loss to the Cowboys. He also rushed once for six yards.

Melton finished his first NFL preseason with seven catches (15 targets) for 89 yards through three games. The seventh-round pick was an interesting prospect, as he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash after starring in a sluggish Rutgers offense. Melton has shown an ability to get yards after the catch, but he hasn't done enough this preseason to guarantee himself a spot on the 53-man roster.

Metcalf didn't play in Friday's 27-26 preseason loss to the Cowboys.

Tyler Lockett played, but Metcalf took the night off as he prepares for the Week 1 matchup against the Broncos. The night was still eventful for the star receiver, as Geno Smith was named the starting quarterback for the season opener. Metcalf had a solid connection with Smith last season, as he totaled 14 catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns during the three games that Smith started.

Young caught three of five targets for 43 yards in Friday's 27-26 preseason loss to the Cowboys.

Young started the game with the first-team offense and was targeted by Geno Smith twice on the first drive, though he dropped both passes. All three of his receptions were from Drew Lock in the second quarter. The rookie seventh-round pick ended up leading the team in receiving yards, too. It's certainly a positive sign that Young was handling first-team reps in the preseason finale, but he's far from a guarantee to make it past Tuesday's cuts.

Godwin will not play in Saturday's preseason contest, but the veteran receiver does appear to have growing confidence in his surgically repaired knee, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

It would have been a major surprise to see Godwin actually play in Saturday's preseason contest, but all indications seem to indicate the star wide receiver could be available for Week 1. Expect more information regarding Godwin's availably to emerge during the team's first set of injury reports, which will precede the Sept. 11 season opener.

Woods (knee) is expected to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Cardinals, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

Woods noted Thursday that his surgically repaired knee is "not even a thought" anymore, and his looming preseason appearance solidifies that notion. Assuming no setbacks, he's in line to open the season as the top option in a Tennessee wideout corps that also includes Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Kyle Philips.

Brown is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Titans, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic.

As a result, Brown is next in line to see game action in Week 1 against the Chiefs. At that point, he's likely to serve as the Cardinals' No. 1 wideout, with DeAndre Hopkins (suspension) slated to sit out the first six games of the season.

With the Rams not planning to play key starters in their preseason finale, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times, Kupp is in line to sit out Saturday's game against the Bengals.

It's no surprise that the Rams are inclined to play it safe with their top wideout (among others) in the team's exhibition finale. Once the regular season kicks off, Kupp -- who is slated to start alongside Allen Robinson -- is in line to log plenty of passing targets from QB Matthew Stafford (elbow), on the heels of an all-world 2021 campaign in which he racked up a 145/1,947/16 stat line in 17 games.

Watson (knee) could be available for Week 1 against the Vikings, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie second-round pick was activated off the PUP list earlier in August, but he never ended up playing in any preseason contests. As a result, it's unclear if Watson will be available when the Packers battle the Vikings on Sept. 11. Expect more information regarding the rookie's status to become clearer when the team releases its first official injury/practice reports. Watson still figures to sit below Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb and maybe even Romeo Doubs on the depth chart to begin the year.