NFL Player News

Crowder turned in a strong showing at Monday's practice, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie -- who missed Monday's session due to soreness -- are in the mix to claim the slot role previously handled by Cole Beasley. While Buscaglia suggests that Crowder "is still likely behind McKenzie because of the Bills' explosive potential with McKenzie in the lineup," we suspect that the steady Crowder still can make a push for the role as the summer rolls along if he can stay healthy and continue to make plays in practice.

McKenzie missed his second straight practice Monday with unspecified soreness, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Prior to his absence, McKenzie had been off to a strong start in training camp, putting him firmly in the conversation to potentially claim the slot role previously handled by Cole Beasley. Also in the mix for the job is Jamison Crowder, who the report notes turned in a solid showing at Monday's practice. This looks like a job battle that could go either way, but at this stage Buscaglia believes that McKenzie may have an edge "because of the Bills' explosive potential with McKenzie in the lineup."

Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said Monday that he has a lot of confidence in Westbrook-Ikhine, who is listed as a starter on the team's initial preseason depth chart, AtoZ Sports Nashville reports.

Tannehill specifically mentioned Westbrook-Ikhine's knowledge of the offense, which allows him to fill in at any position at a moment's notice. That's part of why the 2020 UDFA has managed to stick around on the Tennessee roster, going on three years now, along with some slick route running by the standards of a 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver. After starting seven of 16 games last year and posting a 48-476-4 receiving line, Westbrook-Ikhine has a chance to enter Week 1 as a starter this year, depending on the progress of first-round pick Treylon Burks and veteran Robert Woods (ACL). The initial preseason depth chart lists Woods as the other starter, while reports out of camp suggest rookie fifth-rounder Kyle Philips is getting some first-team work and has a shot at the slot role (Tennessee's depth chart has only two starting WRs, and two TEs).

Burks and fellow rookie Kyle Philips are listed behind Robert Woods (knee) and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on the Titans' initial unofficial depth chart, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

That said, it's not uncommon for teams to list first-year players conservatively on preseason depth charts, but it is a reminder that Burks -- the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft -- will have to earn his projected early season role opposite Woods. Wyatt notes that Burks "has been quieter in recent practices," but the Arkansas product still has time to pick up the pace this summer, and, if so, he'll have a chance to justify his ADP, which currently is much higher than either Westbrook-Ikhine or Philips.

Shaheed passed his physical Monday and was activated off the Saints' active/NFI list, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

It's an encouraging sign for Shaheed, who had missed training camp up to this point with an undisclosed injury. He'll look to impress this preseason as he competes for a depth role in the Saints' wide receivers room, but the holder of the FCS record for career kick-return touchdowns could also sneak onto New Orleans' initial 53-man roster with his work in that capacity.

Fountain sat out Monday's practice with a groin issue after he previously suffered a finger injury Saturday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Fountain underwent an X-ray on his injured finger after Saturday's practice, but this issue was likely minor given that he quickly returned to the field Sunday, according to Charles Goldman of USA Today. The wideout has now missed time with various issues so far throughout training camp, and his health may become the ultimate determining factor for his chances to secure the Chiefs' final roster spot at wide receiver ahead of Justin Watson, Cornell Powell and Corey Coleman.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin downplayed Pickens being listed with the starters on the team's initial preseason depth chart, Steelers Depot reports.

Asked if it's a testament to Pickens' work at training camp, Tomlin responded, "No, it's just the fact that I have to give you guys a depth chart." Fair enough, but whoever is responsible for the depth chart likely saw the same thing as everyone else -- rookies and backup-caliber players behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. That makes Pickens, a second-round pick, a decent bet to win the third receiver spot in a Pittsburgh offense that's gone heavy on three-wide formations in recent years. It's possible the team uses more one- and two-wide looks this year, though Pittsburgh still lists three wide receivers as starters. Other candidates to line up alongside Johnson and Claypool include Calvin Austin, Miles Boykin and Anthony Miller. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic notes that Pickens has been a "stud" at training camp, with Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan adding that the rookie hasn't backed down from Pittsburgh's veteran defenders in practice.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Johnson is dealing with a hip flexor injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin didn't go into detail regarding the severity of Johnson's injury, but given his status as an established starter, the 26-year-old wideout is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Seahawks even if he's able to quickly move past the issue. After recently signing a two-year, $39.5 million extension with the Steelers, Johnson will be locked in as a top target for whichever quarterback emerges as the team's Week 1 starter.

Brown (hamstring) took part in individual drills off to the side during Monday's practice and is expected to return to full-team work by Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury suggested that Brown would increase his activity Tuesday, and if all goes well, the wideout will be back to full speed by the middle of the week. Even if that comes to fruition, Brown is unlikely to play in Friday's preseason opener in Cincinnati, given the lack of full practice sessions he has under his belt up to this point in training camp.

Miller broke his wrist during practice Sunday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

It's a brutal break for Miller, who had been handling first-team reps as a tight end and fullback, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports. Consequently, the fullback job is now wide open, and the injury figures to close the door on Miller's chances of making New York's initial 53-man roster for 2022.