NFL Player News

Proche didn't practice Tuesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The absence puts his status in doubt for Thursday's preseason game against Tennessee, though it's possible Proche had already earned the right to sit that one out along with a number of Baltimore starters. He and Devin Duvernay have been getting most of the first-team reps alongside Rashod Bateman in training camp, with reports from multiple Baltimore beat writers pinpointing Proche as one of the stars of camp. Duvernay is approximately the same size, significantly faster and was drafted three rounds earlier than Proche in 2020, but the latter seems to be making a much stronger impression at camp -- in part because Duvernay missed about a week with a thigh bruise. WR usage will be one of the key things to watch with Baltimore this preseason once the team gives its starters some run, likely in the second and/or third games.

Edwards (shoulder) wore a non-contact jersey again Tuesday, but he nonetheless appears to be one of the team's top three wide receivers, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Scott Bair of the Falcons' website had a similar take, saying "Edwards seems like the frontline guy" even though he's listed as a second-stringer (behind Olamide Zaccheaus) on the team's initial preseason depth chart. It's not really a depth chart to be taken seriously, as it lists rookie first-round pick Drake London with the fifth unit, among other oddities. ESPN's Rothstein suggests London, Edwards and Zaccheaus are the likely top three at wide receiver, though KhaDarel Hodge also has been getting snaps with the starters and making plays throughout camp. Edwards doesn't seem likely to play in Friday's preseason game against Detroit, given that he's still managing the shoulder injury he suffered during the first week of camp. He returned to practice less than a week later, albeit with a non-contact jersey that he continues to sport during contact work.

London is listed toward the bottom of the Falcons' unofficial posted depth chart, but Scott Bair of the team's official site notes that's an approach coach Arthur Smith typically takes with rookies at this stage of the preseason.

With that in mind, Bair notes that London -- who the Falcons took eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft -- typically works with the team's first unit during training camp practices, and has held his own against Atlanta's top cornerbacks. Bair adds that "it's fair to expect London will play a ton once the regular season begins, as a top receiver worthy of being listed first at his position." Also in the mix for wideout targets early on are the likes of Bryan Edwards, Olamide Zaccheaus, KhaDarel Hodge and Geronimo Allison, but among that group the 6-foot-4 London remains the upside play in an offense that is slated to be helmed by QB Marcus Mariota.

Grant (leg) was carted off during Tuesday's camp session, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Unfortunate news strikes Tuesday for Cleveland, as Grant was carted off the practice field and was unable to put any weight on his left leg. Recently, the seventh-year return specialist has taken more practice reps at receiver than he's used to, as many of the Browns' pass catchers have missed a portion of training camp attending to injuries. Expect to hear more regarding the severity of Grant's injury within the upcoming days, but from the way this sounds, Cleveland may be without the 29-year-old Week 1 against the Panthers.

Coutee got starting reps in place of an injured Parris Campbell during Monday's practice and is listed as Campbell's backup on the Colts' initial preseason depth chart, 107.5 FM The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Given Campbell's frequent injury history, it's worth noting who would get snaps in the slot if he were to get hurt again. Coutee appears to be the leading candidate to win that role, but he could also be getting deference early in camp as a veteran. Ashton Dulin could take over as the third receiver ahead of Coutee if a starter were to get hurt.

Proche has been one of the standouts from the first two weeks of Ravens training camp, building chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson, Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com reports.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic agrees that Proche has been one of the team's most consistent players, catching passes in "pretty much every area of the field" while running precise routes. It's perhaps a bit of a surprise to hear the 2020 sixth-round pick is having success downfield, considering he ran a 4.63 40-yard dash coming out of SMU, where he was mostly a high-volume possession receiver. Regardless of his exact role, Proche has a nice opportunity entering Year 3 after the Ravens traded away Marquise Brown without acquiring a potential replacement. Receiver jobs are open for the taking behind 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman, with Proche and Devin Duvernay considered the favorites for starting jobs. Duvernay missed a bunch of practice time with a thigh bruise recently, giving Proche more chances, but both now seem to be healthy as the Ravens prepare to begin the preseason.

Aiyuk has made a strong impression on teammates and reporters alike, with safety Jimmie Ward saying the wideout is "taking his game to another level" and ESPN's Nick Wagoner calling him "the team's most consistent offensive performer" at training camp.

Aiyuk certainly won't be the best player in an offense with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, but it does seem teammates -- including Ward and LB Fred Warner -- expect the 2020 first-round pick to at least approach that level. Warner and Aiyuk made headlines for a couple brawls in training camp, with the linebacker saying afterward that he'd specifically chosen to antagonize the wideout to bring out the best in him. Camp hype aside, Aiyuk is locked in as a starter and should form a three-headed monster with Samuel and Kittle as the lead pass catchers, giving 22-year-old QB Trey Lance all the help he can ask for. Camp reports on Lance have been far less optimistic than those on Aiyuk, and it remains to be seen how much coach Kyle Shanahan trusts his young passer to throw on early downs.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Tuesday that Saunders is dealing with a lower leg strain, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The extent and severity of the issue remains unclear, but any prolonged absence for the former Ohio State product will make it increasingly difficult to land a spot on the initial 53-man roster. Saunders was elevated to the Panthers' active roster for Weeks 16 and 18 last year, catching both of his targets for 11 yards.

Moore was carted off the field after suffering an apparent lower body injury during 1-on-1 drills Tuesday, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Moore reportedly had difficulty putting weight on his right leg. The timing of the injury, especially if it is ultimately deemed significant, is brutal for Chicago's already-thin wide receiver corps. N'Keal Harry is believed to be nursing a high-ankle sprain, while Velus Jones (undisclosed) and Byron Pringle (quadriceps) have also sat out recent practices. As Saturday's preseason opener against Kansas City approaches, the top healthy options behind Darnell Mooney are Equanimeous St. Brown, Dazz Newsome, Dante Pettis and Tajae Sharpe.

Coulter has shown the ability to make downfield catches, Gene Chamberlain of SI.com reports.

Coulter has played in three games in his two years with the Texans and Bears, resulting in 21 offensive snaps. He's shown the speed needed to make big plays, but he hasn't been able to do so on a consistent basis. He may need to show well in preseason games in his battle to earn a roster spot.