NFL Player News

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.

Ward has missed the last few days of practice with a toe injury, Zach Berman of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

There hasn't been any indication that Ward's injury is a severe one, but he can't afford to lose too much time as he battles for a roster spot in camp. After catching 53 passes in 2020, he hauled in just seven last year, and he's been pushed further down the wideout depth chart by the arrival of A.J. Brown.

Gallup (knee) was spotted running and cutting on the side at Monday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Due to his status on the active/PUP list, Gallup hasn't been cleared to take part in practice, instead focusing on agility drills as he draws closer to returning from the torn ACL he sustained in his left knee Week 17 of last season. He told Jon Machota of The Athletic in late July that he isn't optimistic he'll be healthy by Week 1 this year, noting, "We got a little ways to go. It's gotta get a little bit stronger." With no clarity yet on Gallup's timetable to return and James Washington sidelined 6-to-10 weeks due to a broken foot suffered last Monday, rookie Jalen Tolbert and Noah Brown will operate as the next wide receivers up behind unquestioned No. 1 CeeDee Lamb.

Claypool (shoulder) returned to practice in full pads Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Claypool picked up the shoulder issue on Friday, July 29. He appeared prepared to get back on the field last Friday, but the session termed "Friday Night Lights" at Latrobe's Memorial Stadium ended up getting rained out, per Mike Prisuta of the Steelers' official site. It's unclear if Claypool was able to handle every rep Monday, but he's at least on a path to be ready for the team's preseason opener Saturday against the Seahawks, if coach Mike Tomlin makes his top skill-position players available for the contest.

Campbell was held out of practice Monday with a tight hamstring but said he'll be back on the field Wednesday, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

It sounds minor, though still worth making note of given Campbell's lengthy medical record. The 2019 second-round pick has played 15 games through three seasons, never once staying healthy for more than four consecutive contests. Campbell has a big opportunity this year, nonetheless, with he and rookie Alec Pierce reportedly getting most of the first-team WR snaps alongside No. 1 Michael Pittman. If it's those three at the top of the depth chart come Week 1, the 25-year-old Campbell likely will see a lot of work in the slot, though snaps in two-wide sets wouldn't be out of the question. First, though, he'll need to get his hamstring right.

Bateman (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Bateman thus appears past the undisclosed minor injury that caused him to miss practice Friday. Now that he's back on the field with his teammates, the 2021 first-rounder is in line to step back in as the Ravens' presumed No. 1 wideout ahead of Week 1 action.

Chark caught four passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's team scrimmage, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Playing against a mix of first- and second-team cornerbacks, Chark reportedly looked like the vertical threat that Detroit lacked last year. While he may lose opportunities to Jameson Williams (knee) by season's end, vertical targets in the Lions' new offense should be concentrated on him in the short term. Considering the 6-foot-4 wideout also has a solid chance of leading his team in red-zone targets, Chark could surprise as a fantasy asset during his $10 million "prove it" year.