NFL Player News

Erickson was released by the Texans on Tuesday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Erickson was active for the Texans during the preseason, but was always considered to be on the outside looking in for the 53-man roster. He was competing with Keke Coutee and Anthony Miller for a slot receiver role. The Wisconsin product spent his first five seasons with the Bengals before joining Houston during the offseason.

Coutee has been waived by the Texans, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

In the wake of the team's initial roster cut-downs, the Texans' wideout corps features Brandin Cooks, Chris Conley, Nico Collins, Anthony Miller (shoulder) and return specialist Andre Roberts (knee). While it's a bit of surprise that Coutee was waived Tuesday, the 2018 fourth-rounder has had a tough time staying on the field during his pro career and might benefit from a change of scenery.

Thomas (ankle) was moved to the reserve/PUP list Tuesday.

As Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier Tuesday, Thomas landed on this reserve list, which will sideline him for at least the first six weeks of the campaign. The Saints have a bye Week 6, meaning Thomas will be eligible to return Week 7 in Seattle on Monday, Oct. 25.

White was cut by the Steelers on Tuesday, Ed Bouchette of The Athletic reports.

The undrafted wide receiver was unable to make a roster in 2020, and this time around didn't make the Steelers' initial 53-man roster. To date, the 22-year-old Michigan State product has yet to make an NFL regular-season appearance.

The Seahawks waived Hart on Tuesday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Hart spent the 2020 campaign bouncing between the Seahawks' active roster and practice squad. He was a popular candidate to make the initial 53-man roster this season, but it appears he missed too much time with an ankle injury during training camp to justify a spot. He will likely be brought back on a practice squad contract if he clears waivers.

Hodgins (knee) was waived by Buffalo on Tuesday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

In the end, a knee injury cost him a chance to make a late run at Jake Kumerow and Marquez Stevenson for a final receiver spot. The Bills run plenty of four-wide and even five-wide sets, so we imagine the team has an eye on getting Hodgins onto the practice squad if no other team claims him, especially since he was putting together a strong training camp prior to the injury.

Smith was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday, Rob Phillips of the team's official site reports.

Smith signed with the Cowboys in the spring after going undrafted out of Iowa, but he was unable to secure a spot on the season-opening roster. The 22-year-old could be an option for the practice squad if he goes through waivers unclaimed.

Smith was waived by the Jets on Tuesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Smith had his opportunities to secure a roster spot throughout camp but ultimately failed to do so after the Jets beefed up their receiving corps via both free agency and the draft. He's a speedster who can also contribute on kick returns, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the 25-year-old receiver get a shot elsewhere before long. Smith being let go likely means Braxton Berrios will stick around; perhaps Berrios' superior ability as a punt returner ultimately made the difference.

Brown (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Brown caught 14 passes for 154 yards in 16 games last season and will open 2021 on the COVID-19 list. He'll remain away from the team until he clears the health and safety protocols.

Kemp was cut by the Chiefs on Tuesday.

Kemp appeared in 10 games for the Chiefs last season and inked a contract extension in March, but he was unable to retain his spot on the initial 53-man roster. The 26-year-old has two catches for 18 yards in 28 career games since going undrafted out of Hawaii in 2017.