NFL Player News

The Steelers waived Sexton on Saturday.

Sexton -- along with fellow wideout Anthony Johnson -- was among nine players let go by the Steelers on Saturday as they make moves to get down to the mandatory 53-man roster by Tuesday. The 2020 undrafted free agent out of Eastern Michigan reportedly has run a 4.3 40-yard dash and could make an intriguing option for a team in need of speed on the outside.

The 49ers signed Cracraft on Saturday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cracraft was waived by the 49ers on Tuesday but has been re-signed after San Francisco waived Richie James with an injury designation. The 27-year-old Cracraft appeared in nine contests for the 49ers last year, totaling six catches for 41 yards.

James (knee) was waived/injured by San Francisco on Saturday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

James will undergo a procedure on his knee that will cause him to miss roughly six weeks. The wide receiver will be placed on injured reserve once he clears waivers. In a corresponding move, the 49ers re-signed fellow wideout River Cracraft after waiving him on Tuesday.

Davis caught all five of his targets for 75 yards and a score in Saturday's preseason win over the Packers.

Activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday afternoon, Davis indoctrinated himself right back into the Buffalo offense, as his TD snag on an absolute laser from Josh Allen in the first quarter was a thing of beauty from all angles. Davis is set to serve as the No. 4 wide receiver this season, and while that's normally not a productive spot in fantasy terms, the Buffalo offense may chuck it enough that there's value in mid to deeper leagues. Davis put up a 35-599-7 line as a rookie last season with similar third/fourth WR treatment. The receiver will match up against the Steelers in Week 1.

Rodgers caught six of seven targets for 41 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to Buffalo.

The stat line is respectable, but it's worth noting that Rodgers had five of his six catches with the third-string offense, including three on the final drive of the game. The rookie third-round pick doesn't appear likely to get many snaps on offense Week 1 at New Orleans, with Randall Cobb presumably taking most of the slot work.

Raymond didn't play in Friday's preseason game against Indianapolis.

It might be taken as a sign he's made the team, with Raymond reportedly part of Detroit's wide-open competition for roles at wide receiver. It could get even messier with Tyrell Williams now bothered by a groin injury, but Raymond wouldn't figure to see many targets even if he were to land in a starting job.

Mooney isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Titans, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Other skill-position players in line to be held out include QB Andy Dalton, RB David Montgomery, WRs Allen Robinson and Marquise Goodwin and TEs Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet. The Bears figure to center their offense around Robinson and Montgomery again, but Mooney nonetheless has second-year breakout appeal after a solid rookie season where he improved throughout the year. The Bears' poor depth at wide receiver could work in his favor, perhaps leading to an every-down role and steady targets. However, Mooney gets a major challenge to start the season -- a road trip to Los Angeles to face a Rams defense led by DT Aaron Donald and CB Jalen Ramsey. The matchup might at least work in Mooney's favor when it comes to volume if the Rams use Ramsey to shadow Robinson for portions of the game.

McLaurin and a slew of other key players likely will be held out of Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

The list also includes RB Antonio Gibson, TE Logan Thomas and WRs Dyami Brown and Adam Humphries. The Washington offense appears in much better shape than last season, though key offseason addition Curtis Samuel (groin) still hasn't practiced since early June. Regardless of Samuel's availability, McLaurin is the centerpiece of Washington's passing game heading into a Week 1 home date with the Chargers.

Robinson and other key skill-position starters aren't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Titans, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It sounds like coach Matt Nagy will rest most of his starters apart from the offensive linemen, giving Justin Fields some protection in a game where he should play most or all of the first half. Robinson, along with Andy Dalton, figures to be one of the starters who is held out in preparation for Week 1 against Jalen Ramsey and the Rams.

Beasley caught four of five targets for 52 yards in the first half of Saturday's preseason game against the Packers.

Josh Allen threw 26 passes on three drives, despite not having Stefon Diggs (knee) in the lineup. Apart from Buffalo's star quarterback, Beasley and Gabriel Davis were the stars of the afternoon, both topping 50 yards one day after being removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Targets will be a bit harder to come by with Diggs likely back for Week 1 against Pittsburgh, but the Bills should be able to keep all four WRs involved on a weekly basis, in part by using four-wide formations.