NFL Player News

Lazard won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Saints, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

The same applies to fellow wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, with the Packers resting a number of their key skill players on Friday. With Lazard and company sitting this one out, the Green Bay coaching staff will focus on evaluating the team's depth options at the WR position versus New Orleans.

Watson (knee) isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game against the Saints, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Having said that, Watson went through pregame warmups with the Packers' wide receiver group, which is another sign of progress after returning to practice this past Sunday. The rookie second-round pick spent most of training camp on the active/PUP list after undergoing a procedure on his knee following the offseason program. Watson will have one more chance to make an appearance during exhibition season Thursday at Kansas City.

Thomas isn't in uniform ahead of Friday's preseason game at Green Bay, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The same goes for fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry, while rookie first-round pick Chris Olave is suited up. Assuming Olave does get into the contest, he'll be joined by Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harty, among others, at the position. Thomas will have one chance for exhibition action ahead of Week 1 next Friday against the Chargers.

Bourne wasn't spotted in warmups in advance of Friday's preseason contest against the Panthers, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Though the Patriots aren't compelled to announce inactives in advance of preseason games, Bourne's absence from warmups is notable. While Bourne doesn't have any known injury concerns, Mike Reiss of ESPN points out that wideout was ejected from practice Tuesday following a scuffle.

Anderson (quadriceps) isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason game in New England, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Anderson didn't catch his only target while playing five offensive snaps in Carolina's exhibition opener at Washington. Since then, he's come down with a quadriceps injury, which will keep him on the sideline Friday. Anderson will be joined by DJ Moore (shoulder) and Terrace Marshall (hamstring), leaving Rashard Higgins, Brandon Zylstra and Shi Smith, among others, as the team's top available wide receivers.

Moore (shoulder) isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason game at New England, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Moore was a healthy scratch in Carolina's exhibition opener this past Saturday in Washington, but a sore shoulder will keep him on the sideline this time around. He'll be among a number of key skill-position players sitting for the Panthers on Friday, including fellow wide receivers Robbie Anderson (quadriceps) and Terrace Marshall (hamstring), running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end Ian Thomas (ribs) and quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. As a result, Rashard Higgins, Brandon Zylstra and Shi Smith, among others, will be the team's primary available wideouts.

Marshall (hamstring) isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game against the Patriots, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Person relays that the wideout isn't in uniform for the contest after aggravating his hamstring. Marshall's next chance to suit up for preseason action arrives next Friday versus the Bills.

Moore stood out in Friday's joint practice with the Falcons, catching five passes from quarterback Joe Flacco, Andy Vasquez of NJ.com reports.

Moore's productive practice included a gain of 40-plus yards, as he found a hole in Atlanta's zone coverage and proceeded to make a defender miss with a juke. New York's 2021 second-round pick is poised to lead the Jets' receiving corps in his second season, and the team believes Moore's just scratching the surface of his potential as a playmaker.

Robinson is signing with the Ravens, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Robinson was surprisingly released by the Raiders on Tuesday, but he has found a new team just three days later. The former Chiefs wideout has a better chance to secure a prominent role in a Baltimore receiving corps that lacks established options behind 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman.

Johnson is impressing and gaining quarterback Russell Wilson's trust in training camp, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Johnson signed with the Broncos this offseason as an undrafted free agent, and the 24-year-old is building quite the chemistry with Wilson thus far. The wideout practiced with the starters all week and is showing that he belongs with the likes of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Offensive coordinator Justin Outten said Thursday, "He does things behind the scenes to put him in a really good spot and it's just working with what's expected from us as coaches and what's expected by Russell. He's been doing a really good job in all aspects, not just the pass game, but the run game, too." This is high praise for Johnson, who impressed in Denver's first preseason game against the Cowboys, reeling in four catches for 64 yards. The UCF product is making the most of his opportunity and has a chance to secure a depth role in the Broncos' talented receiving corps ahead of the 2022 campaign.