NFL Player News

Aiyuk is dealing with what's being described as a slight hamstring issue, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

As a result, Aiyuk won't play in Sunday's preseason finale versus the Raiders. However, the 49ers' starting wideout is expected to be fine by next week, according to coach Kyle Shanahan. Assuming that's the case, Aiyuk's Week 1 status is not in any jeopardy.

James will have a knee procedure that will sideline him about six weeks, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Given that timetable, James will miss time early on this season, which represents a hit to both the 49ers' depth at wideout as well as the team's return game. Now battling for slotting on the team's WR depth chart behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are Mohamed Sanu, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Hurd, Nsimba Webster, Jauan Jennings and Travis Benjamin.

Kirk and the Cardinals are now scheduled to play the Saints at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday for their final game of the preseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The game has been moved back seven hours to avoid a possible hurricane headed toward New Orleans. The Cardinals are expected to rest Kyler Murray and other starters, but it's possible Kirk is among those who play, with rookie second-round pick Rondale Moore making his push for a top-three role. Kirk and A.J. Green both are in danger of losing snaps, if not their starting jobs, depending on their own performance and Moore's.

Toney (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in the Giants' final preseason game Sunday, Pat Leonard of NY Daily News reports.

Toney has struggled to get going in training camp. First he tested positive for COVID-19, which delayed the rookie's start to camp, then he was held out of the Giants' first preseason game after "aggravating" something at the end of the week. The 20th overall pick continues to do minimal work on the sidelines during practice and will likely not play in the preseason finale Sunday. Given his lack of reps during training camp, it should be expected that Toney's regular-season production will be limited as the Giants ease him back into game action.

Olszewski (undisclosed) was not seen at Thursday's joint practice against the Giants, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports.

It is not clear why Olszewski wasn't at practice. After a prolific season as the Patriots' primary return man, the 24-year-old was selected to the AP 2020 All-Pro First Team as a special teamer. If he is unable to go for the final preseason game Sunday, expect J.J. Taylor and Kyle Dugger to share Olszewski's vacant reps.

Beasley was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday afternoon.

Beasley missed a few days of practice and could be out for Saturday's exhibition with the Packers. Either way, he's expected to enter Week 1 against Pittsburgh in his familiar slot role, though the Bills can also give Emmanuel Sanders some of those snaps if they want projected No. 4 receiver Gabriel Davis on the field as a deep threat. Beasley gets an interesting matchup to start the season, facing a Pittsburgh defense that lost long-time slot corner Mike Hilton to the division-rival Bengals this offseason. The Steelers have tried a bunch of young players at the position this summer, including rookie seventh-round pick Tre Norwood this past week, per Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site.

Davis was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday afternoon.

The Bills also activated WR Cole Beasley and DTs Vernon Butler and Star Lotulelei. It's unclear if any of them will play in Saturday's preseason game against Green Bay, but all four should be fine for Week 1 versus the Steelers. Davis likely will open the year as Buffalo's No. 4 wide receiver, but he's in an offense that uses four-wide sets more than most, rotating in behind three starters who are 27, 32 and 34 years old.

Jones (shoulder) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

Jones is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, but the injury isn't expected to prevent him from being ready for Week 1 action. That said, it seems safe to assume that the wideout won't play in Sunday's preseason finale against the Cowboys. When available, Jones will combine with DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault to head the Jaguars' wide receiver corps this coming season, with the trio slated to catch passes from No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, who was recently confirmed as the team's starting quarterback.

The Jaguars waived Jones (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Thursday, independent NFL journalist Aaron Wilson reports.

Jones signed with the Jaguars in May after going undrafted. The rookie is now free to sign with another team during the 2021 campaign.

The Jaguars waived Imatorbhebhe (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Thursday, independent NFL journalist Aaron Wilson reports.

Imatorbhebhe was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois this offseason, but he was never able to get going as an undisclosed injury kept him limited throughout training camp. The 6-foot-2 wideout is now free to join another team during the 2021 campaign.