NFL Player News

Moore and other key players, including QB Joe Flacco and WR Corey Davis, will be held out of Monday's preseason game against Atlanta, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

Flacco may get the Week 1 start while Zach Wilson recovers from a meniscus injury, though that's not necessarily a bad thing for Moore's fantasy prospects. With Moore and Davis held out Monday night, rookie first-round pick Garrett Wilson could get extended run, assuming he isn't on the sidelines as well. Wilson came in as the fourth receiver in the preseason opener, behind Moore, Davis and slot man Braxton Berrios.

Thomas (hamstring) didn't practice Monday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas also didn't practice Sunday, with Terrell noting that coach Dennis Allen didn't offer much in the way of specifics regarding the wideout's status other than to say that Thomas will be back out on the field with the teammates when he's ready to go. With that in mind, it's possible the 29-year-old will be held out of Friday's preseason finale against the Chargers.

Pittman and other starters are expected to play the first half of Saturday's preseason finale against Tampa Bay, JJ Stankevitz of Colts.com reports.

With two weeks between the end of the preseason and the start of the regular season, some teams now play starters in their final exhibition. The Colts will be among those, according to coach Frank Reich, though we won't be surprised if key guys like Pittman are pulled earlier than many other starters.

Erickson caught each of his three targets for 44 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to Kansas City, leading the Commanders in receiving yards for a second straight week.

Erickson has five catches for 90 yards on six targets, but he's been less successful in the return game and faces new competition there with RB Antonio Gibson now in the mix on special teams. Erickson, Dax Milne, Cam Sims and Dyami Brown are competing for what likely will be two or three roster spots at wide receiver, with special teams a big part of the equation. Washington's top three to start the season appears set with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel.

Milne caught each of his four targets for 37 yards in a preseason loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.

Milne caught two of three targets for 30 yards the week before, perhaps gaining ground on Dyami Brown, among others, in a competition for the fourth and fifth WR spots. Brown has draft capital working in his favor but hasn't done much this preseason, while Cam Sims would be the experienced option. Milne and Alex Erickson have the most yards this preseason, so it's a battle that could continue through the third and final exhibition.

Brown caught two of six targets for nine yards in a preseason loss to Kansas City on Saturday.

While the 2021 third-round pick reportedly has displayed progress at training camp, he has only 23 yards from nine targets through two preseason games. Cam Sims, meanwhile, scored a TD on Saturday, making his own case for the No. 4 WR role. The top three appears pretty set with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel, leaving Brown, Sims and others to compete for depth roles.

McLaurin caught both his targets for 27 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Chiefs.

The Commanders have played QB Carson Wentz for six drives so far this preseason, producing seven points for the team and three catches for 43 yards for McLaurin (on four targets). Wentz and McLaurin start the regular season with a seemingly friendly matchup against Jacksonville.

Harley caught three of seven targets for 30 yards and returned one kickoff for 19 yards in Sunday's preseason game against the Eagles.

It was a showcase day for Harley, who was on the field for 61 of Cleveland's 74 snaps and the latest to audition for the vacant return job. He lined up as a punt returner but did not get an opportunity to return one. Since Jakeem Grant went down with an Achilles injury, Ja'Marcus Bradley and now Harley have been given chances to return kicks and punts during preseason action. Others in camp that could pick up a return role are Demetric Felton and Donovan Peoples-Jones. As for Harley's chances at wideout, the undrafted free agent out the University of Miami is a long shot and more likely headed for the practice squad.

Washington caught two of three targets for 25 yards and returned two kickoffs for 55 yards in the Broncos' 42-15 loss to the Bills.

Washington continues to make big-time plays for the Broncos as both a receiver and a returner. The rookie is receiving praise from both coaches and teammates, demonstrating that he can be a versatile weapon on offense and special teams. As Denver looks to find a way to replace Tim Patrick (knee), it seems increasingly plausible that Washington could lock himself into the No. 4 spot on the wide receiver depth chart behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.

Darden failed to bring in any of his three targets, returned one kickoff for 25 yards and ran back one punt for no gain in the Buccaneers' 13-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturday night.

The fact Darden came up empty on offense while a couple of other candidates for a depth receiver and/or returner role -- Deven Thompkins and Jerreth Sterns -- tallied a pair of receptions apiece could prove detrimental. Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times notes Darden made a questionable decision fielding a punt at the nine-yard line and then didn't accomplish anything of note on his kickoff return opportunity, putting some extra pressure on him to stand out in all phases during Saturday night's road preseason finale against the Colts.