NFL Player News

Thomas (ankle) likely will be placed on the PUP list, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With a four-month timeline estimate after June surgery, Thomas was a strong candidate for the PUP list all along. In this case, the move will rule him out for only five games instead of six, as the Saints have an early bye (Week 6) in 2021. Assuming this move becomes official Tuesday or Wednesday, the star wideout will be ineligible for games until Week 7 at Seattle (Oct. 25).

The Patriots waived Zuber on Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Zuber spent last season bouncing between New England's active roster and practice squad, so he could reprise a similar role during the 2021 season if he goes unclaimed on waivers. In four appearances last season, Zuber secure both of his targets for 29 yards.

Hodge has been waived by the Browns, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Hodge is the odd man out after falling behind Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins and rookie Anthony Schwartz in the team's wideout mix. The report notes that the Browns hope to bring Hodge back in some capacity if he clears waivers.

The Lions acquired Benson via a trade with the Broncos on Tuesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Benson put together a solid preseason in Denver, including a 4/36/2 performance versus the Vikings. However, the Broncos already boast one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the league, so a trade to Detroit's relatively thin positional group makes sense. In addition to acting as a depth receiver, Benson could contribute in the kick return game.

The Panthers waived Saunders on Tuesday, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Coach Matt Rhule praised Saunders during the preseason, but the undrafted rookie wasn't able to secure a spot on the regular-season roster. Per Getzenberg, he could be a candidate to return to Carolina via the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Pascal (undisclosed) will be eligible for activation from the reserve/COVID-19 list after five days, as long as he remains asymptomatic and continues to return negative tests, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Pascal, quarterback Carson Wentz (foot), and center Ryan Kelly (undisclosed) are all considered close contacts of a Colts' staff member who tested positive. Pascal will be forced to miss a handful of practices, but as long as he continues to pass through the league's health and safety protocols without positive tests, he should be back in action well before Sept. 12's season opener against Seattle. Given that T.Y. Hilton (neck) is expected to miss multiple weeks, Pascal looks destined for an increased role in Indianapolis' passing game alongside Michael Pittman and Parris Campbell.

Brown (knee) ran routes during practice Monday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Brown has been sidelined for most of the team's offseason activities after undergoing surgery on both of his knees. He briefly practiced during training camp, but a reported flare-up in his knee partway through August has kept him sidelined since. Brown did not participate in any preseason action, which makes his participation in practice a bit more notable. The team has consistently stated that Brown will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against Arizona, and his activity at practice backs that notion.

Cleveland was waived by the Broncos on Monday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

A seventh-round pick in 2020, Cleveland suited up for 10 games in his rookie season and mostly contributed on special teams, returning 10 kicks for 234 yards. The Broncos are healthy at wide receiver to start the season, so Cleveland was cut loose before the 53-man roster was finalized Tuesday.

The Broncos waived Williams on Monday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Williams impressed over three years at Auburn, recording 132 receptions for 2,124 yards and 17 touchdowns across 33 games. The 21-year-old has an NFL frame (6-foot-2, 211 pounds) and solid speed (4.49 40-yard dash), but he couldn't find a role in Denver's deep receiver corps. With two weeks until the regular season, it wouldn't be surprising to see another team take a chance on him on waivers.

The Broncos waived Hinton on Monday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Hinton was memorably called up from the practice squad last season to play quarterback -- a position he hadn't played since college -- after all of Denver's signal-callers landed in COVID-19 protocol. The Wake Forest product completed just one of nine passes for 13 yards and two interceptions. The 24-year-old reportedly impressed as a receiver during OTAs and training camp, but it wasn't enough to crack a deep wideout depth chart.