NFL Player News

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.

Moore has had many dropped passes, both in one-on-one drills as well as in full-squad snaps, Gene Chamberlain of SI.com reports.

After averaging 387 yards and and four touchdowns with the Seahawks between 2018 and 2020, Moore played in just three games (and 23 snaps) with the Broncos and Packers last year. During camp, he's struggled with drops, which will likely put him in a difficult position as he tries to earn a roster spot with the Bears.

Webster's shortcoming with catch radius has been obvious during training camp, Gene Chamberlain of SI.com reports.

Although Webster has made a number of catches in practice, when he catches the ball, he's rarely had a chance to flash the speed that makes him a viable return man. Based on camp reports, it would appear his best chance to make the team would be on special teams. In his three-year career, he's played 360 snaps on special teams, compared to just nine offensive snaps.

Pettis hasn't risen above the Bears' less experienced receivers the way a former second-round pick may be expected to, Gene Chamberlain of SI.com reports.

Pettis hasn't been getting consistent separation against defensive backs with little NFL experience during practices. He's also struggled with occasional drops. Although Pettis had a strong rookie season in 2018, when he posted 467 yards and five touchdowns, he's recorded just 172 yards and four scores in 21 games over the last three seasons. It's likely he'll remain in a battle for one of the last wide receiver spots on the roster.

Higgins is bouncing back from an offseason procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and participated in one-on-one drills for the first time in training camp during Monday's practice, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Per the report, Higgins looked sharp in doing so, but the wideout is still easing his way back into team drills. "There's no reason to rush it. You have to take time with things like this," Higgins noted. "Even if I am back before expected, that's always great, but I'm never going to rush this type of injury." With that in mind, Kelsey Conway of Cincinnati Enquirer suggests that it seems unlikely at this point that Higgins will see any game action during the preseason. On the plus side, the 2020 second-rounder did note that he thinks he will be able to log team reps in practice by the end of training camp. Barring any setbacks, Higgins is in line assume his usual key role in the Bengals offense come Week 1.

Newsome could contribute as a return specialist and receiver if he can earn a roster spot, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

The Bears appear to have four roster locks at wide receiver: Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Velus Jones and Equanimeous St. Brown. Newsome, who was the Bears' sixth-round draft choice last year, appeared in just three games, seeing 98 offensive and 19 special-teams snaps. He'll be competing with N'Keal Harry (ankle), Tajae Sharpe and Dante Pettis for two roster spots. If he makes the team, he'll likely need other receivers to miss time to have weekly fantasy value.

Marshall (lower leg) is practicing Tuesday with a red non-contact jersey, Joe Person of The Athleticreports.

Marshall suffered a lower leg strain last week, so it's encouraging to see him back on the practice field even as a non-contact participant. The second-year pro is working to take a step forward in Carolina's offense after recording just 138 receiving yards in 13 games as a rookie. Marshall has a few more days to heal up prior to Saturday's preseason opener against Washington.

Hightower won't practice Tuesday due to a groin injury, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

The severity of the injury is unclear, but the 2020 fifth-round pick will have to return to practice quickly if he has any shot of making the initial 53-man roster. Hightower played 346 offensive snaps over 13 games as a rookie, but he spent the majority of last season on Philadelphia's practice squad, totaling just 11 snaps during his lone appearance of the campaign -- Week 9 against the Chargers.