NFL Player News

Smith-Marsette had three receptions for 31 yards on five targets in Sunday's preseason loss at Las Vegas. He also had three kick returns for an average of 18.3 yards and loss four yards on two punt returns.

Smith-Marsette looked sharp and is likely the leading candidate for the No. 4 receiver role that could get more usage under new head coach Kevin O'Connell. It looks like Smith-Marsette could win the punt return job as well.

Chisena, who'd been dealing with a lower leg injury during training camp, sustained a similar injury in Sunday's preseason loss at Las Vegas, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He had one reception for 22 yards on two targets before the injury.

Chisena is a key player on special teams, especially punt coverage. Chisena appeared in 11 games last year, playing all his snaps on special teams. He's a long shot to win any role on offense.

Robinson caught two of three targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 26-20 preseason win over the Vikings.

Robinson got to get some run as a starter with his new club Sunday due to all of the Raiders' resting regulars. The former Chief was able to get on the same page with fellow newcomer Jarrett Stidham on a couple of throws. Las Vegas' starting receiving unit is very top-heavy, so Robinson will have to carve out a backup role this preseason. His next opportunity will come against the Dolphins on Saturday in the second week of the NFL preseason.

Coach Sean McVay told reporters on Sunday that Atwell's absence in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers was "a credit to what (Atwell has) done, but it's also in response to Van Jefferson's availability," Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

McVay's comments, combined with neither Atwell nor Ben Skowronek seeing the field on Saturday, make it seem like Jefferson may not be ready in time for Week 1. Atwell has also seemingly locked up a spot on the final 53-man roster with his coach's insistence on keeping him out of action, and he and Skowronek could split reps as the No. 3 wide receiver until Jefferson's return.

Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic views McKenzie as "the strong favorite" to be the Bills' top slot receiver to start the coming season.

McKenzie, who has had a strong training camp, was among the team's key skill players who didn't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Colts. Though veteran newcomer Jamison Crowder still could push for an early season slot role with Buffalo, at this stage McKenzie appears poised to be a key cog in the team's Week 1 passing attack, which is line to feature top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.

Winfree suffered a groin injury during Friday's preseason opener and didn't practice Sunday, Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Winfree drew the start Friday alongside Romeo Doubs and caught all three of his targets for 27 yards. However, he apparently picked up a groin injury as well. Since the trade of Davante Adams, the top of the Packers' wideout corps isn't as strong, but after the team drafted a trio of pass catchers and signed Sammy Watkins, the group is as deep as ever, which will make it difficult for Winfree to land a spot on the initial 53-man roster. The 2019 sixth-round pick appeared in seven games last season and caught eight of 13 targets for 58 yards. He's entering Year 3 in Green Bay's organization and has garnered high praise from Aaron Rodgers, but any extended absence will quickly drop him down the depth chart since he isn't as adept on special teams as the Packers' other depth wideouts.

Coach Arthur Smith noted Sunday that the knee injury London suffered during Friday's preseason game against the Lions isn't something the Falcons are "concerned about long term," Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

That said, it doesn't look like the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will be back at practice this coming week. Per Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site, whether London sees any preseason action is something that will be assessed week-to-week, but on the plus side the wideout's Week 1 status doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Higgins (shoulder) participated in 11-on-11 drills during Sunday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Higgins, who is bouncing back from an offseason procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, continues to progress in his recovery from the injury, and while it wouldn't surprise us if the Bengals erred on the side of caution with the wideout during the preseason, the 2020 second-rounder remains on track for Week 1.

Coach Matt LaFleur relayed that Watson (knee) is slated to return to practice Sunday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

While that is step in the right direction for Watson, who is bouncing back from a knee procedure, LaFleur indicated that the 2022 second-rounder figures to be eased into the mix, beginning by participating in individual drills and walkthroughs before moving on to team drills. Once he's up to speed, Watson will look to secure a key early season role in a Green Bay wide receiver corps that also includes Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, among others.

Jefferson is not in line to play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Raiders.

Other key Minnesota skill players who also aren't slated to play in Sunday's contest include quarterback Kirk Cousins (illness), running back Dalvin Cook, fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen and tight end Irv Smith (thumb). In that context, look for the focus of the team's coaching staff to be on evaluating those battling for battling for depth chart slotting ahead of Week 1.