NFL Player News

The Colts placed Pascal (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Pascal was one of three players placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by Indianapolis on Monday, alongside quarterback Carson Wentz and center Ryan Kelly. The wideout looks slated for an increased role in Indianapolis' aerial attack with T.Y. Hilton (neck) out multiple weeks, but Pascal first will have to fully clear the league's protocols for COVID-19. An exact timetable for Pascal's return remains undisclosed, and he has just under two weeks before the regular-season kickoff Sept. 12 versus Seattle.

Smith (undisclosed) is nursing an injury Monday, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

Smith is contending for a depth role with the Jets, and depending on the severity of his injury, it could impede his chances of making the 53-man roster. The 25-year-old logged a relatively productive preseason but hasn't flashed quite enough to lock in a gig for the regular season. In 2020, he secured one of three targets for 13 yards in seven appearances.

St. Brown could see a large number of targets this season after Detroit released Breshad Perriman on Monday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

St. Brown already was in line to have a decent role in the offense with Perriman on board, but there's more upside for the rookie without the previously presumed starting outside receiver in town. While St. Brown seems to be behind Kalif Raymond and possibly Quintez Cephus in the rotation to start the year, the Lions' receiving corps remains as one of the most underwhelming league-wide. St. Brown should have plenty of opportunities to solidify a spot under No. 1 option Tyrell Williams as the season unfolds.

The Bears waived Lacy on Monday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brad spent the preseason competing for a depth role in Chicago's wide receiver room, but he will now have to vie for a chance elsewhere. He appeared in eight contests for the Lions from 2018-19.

Brown (hamstring) will return to practice Monday.

Brown's return to the field for his first practice since July 28 is great news for a Baltimore wideout corps that has been taxed by injuries of late. Now that the 2019 first-rounder is back in the mix, he'll turn his focus to readying for Week 1 action and manning a starting spot opposite Sammy Watkins (who is still dealing with an undisclosed injury) in the team's passing offense.

Sherfield has likely earned a roster spot after a strong preseason showing, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.

Sherfield was the 49ers' top producing wideout during the preseason while the starters rested, developing a strong rapport with potential rookie starter Trey Lance. San Francisco's top three receivers look to be set in stone, but Sherfield has put himself in a position to step up should any of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk or Mohamed Sanu miss time this season. Assuming he does make the cut, the undrafted Vanderbilt product likely will serve on special teams against the Lions to kick off the regular season.

The Cardinals let go of Johnson on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 2019 sixth-round pick started five of his 18 games the past two seasons, catching 36 of 65 targets for 360 yards and a touchdown. Johnson hans't shown any explosiveness as a wide receiver, and he's played just 11 career snaps on special teams.

Boyd started Sunday's preseason game against Miami and took one carry for two yards on three snaps.

Boyd, Ja'Marr Chase and QB Joe Burrow played three snaps apiece, exiting for the night after they failed to pick up a first down on the opening series. Camp reports on the Cincinnati offense haven't been especially encouraging, but there's little question it'll be a pass-happy offense, so Boyd should continue to see steady targets out of the slot even while competing with Chase and Tee Higgins. The sixth-year pro opens his season with a home game against Minnesota, potentially seeing primary coverage from Mackensie Alexander, who was Cincinnati's slot corner last year.

Goodwin appears to have locked up a spot on the Week 1 roster, having been rested for the final preseason game, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 30-year-old former Olympian came back from a 2020 COVID opt out and made enough of an impression at training camp that the Bears didn't feel any need to play him in the preseason finale. Goodwin may even be the No. 3 receiver for Week 1 at the Rams, albeit in an offense that figures to use more two-TE sets this season with Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham. Even if he's seeing only 3-to-4 targets per week, Goodwin's speed could allow for the occasional big game. He's struggled to stay on the field for a variety of reasons ever since his unexpected 2017 breakout for 962 receiving yards (41 percent of his career total).

Schwartz caught his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 19-10 win over Atlanta in preseason Week 3.

Schwartz, who battled an injured hamstring since the middle of the summer, made his preseason debut. He didn't participate in many practices during training camp, so it's unclear if the 2021 third-round pick can contribute immediately Week 1. He's expected to make the cut, but the Browns will assess whether it's better to have him on IR for the full season or gamble to put him on the regular-season roster. If they put him on the 53-man and then place him on IR, he can return at any point during the regular season. However, that would be a roster spot that could go to a player like KhaDarel Hodge, who can help immediately beginning Week 1. Hodge would likely be snapped up by another team if he's not on Cleveland's 53-man roster.