NFL Player News

Hill didn't play in Friday's preseason win at Arizona due to a hamstring injury, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Hill was on the field during pregame warmups but didn't join the first-team offense on the first snap of the contest. Afterward, the reason for his absence was revealed, but the Chiefs considered the decision a precautionary measure. With Patrick Mahomes getting a fair amount of run in the team's first two exhibitions, he and the rest of the key skill-position players likely will take a seat next Friday against the Vikings, meaning Hill may not play in an actual game until Week 1.

Beckham (knee) will not play preseason Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday afternoon, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

This is not a surprise. Beckham's likely to sit out all three preseason affairs and to get his first game action when Cleveland kicks off the regular season in Kansas City. Beckham was in pads Friday, Day 2 of the Browns' joint sessions with the Giants, but not in contested sessions. Instead he executed one-on-one work with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who's also expected to sit out Sunday.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel was removed from Friday's joint practice with the Chargers due to a "tight glute," David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

The 49ers are awaiting the results of an MRI, which will determine the extent of the injury and how much time, if any, Samuel will miss. Considering he picked up the issue two days before the team's second preseason game Sunday at the Chargers, he may be a candidate to sit out with his health as of Week 1 in mind. In any case, Shanahan likely will have an update on Samuel in the near future.

Harry doesn't have any structural damage in his left shoulder, but his recovery timeline is week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Harry landed on the shoulder after he was unable to haul in a Mac Jones pass down the left sideline late in the first half of Thursday's preseason win at Philadelphia. Afterward, Harry was seen with his left arm in a sling, which was a precaution, according to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus. A period of rest has been ordered up for Harry, so it appears he may not be a consideration for game action until the regular-season opener Sunday, Sept. 12 against the Dolphins.

Hart (ankle) won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Hart has been sidelined for nearly two weeks due to what coach Pete Carroll called a "legit" ankle sprain, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports. Although he'll be held out for a second straight preseason game, the Seahawks are hopeful that the 25-year-old will be able to return to practice next week. If Hart ultimately back on the practice field next week, he'd have several days to make his final case for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Bourne caught one of his two targets for 23 yards in Thursday's 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles.

Per NESN's Zack Cox, Bourne logged 31 snaps in the contest, while Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor "got the starting wideout treatment, playing 15 and 14 snaps, respectively." Cox also noted that the trio look "like sure bets to be the Patriots' top receivers this season." In that context, Bourne could emerge as a fantasy factor in deeper formats, though it must be noted that New England's attack could well feature a run-heavy approach and plenty of two-TE sets, a scenario that could make steady volume hard to come by for any of the team's key wide receivers.

Samuel left Friday's practice early, returning to the sideline as an observer after meeting with a member of the training staff, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

It doesn't sound serious and could be nothing more than cramps. Still, there's a chance Samuel is held out of Sunday's preseason game against the Chargers, especially given his injury struggles last year.

Agholor "got the starting wideout treatment" while logging 14 snaps in Thursday's 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles, NESN's Zack Cox reports.

Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers was out there for 15 snaps and Kendrick Bourne logged 31. Per Cox, "those three look like sure bets to be the Patriots' top receivers this season." In his projected role as a starter in the team's offense, Agholor is in a good position to earn steady snaps and a share of targets this coming season. While the team's attack could well feature a run-heavy approach and plenty of two-TE sets, Agholor's utility as a deep threat gives him a degree of weekly fantasy upside to accompany a modest floor, given that steady volume could be an issue for the team's key wide receivers.

Cooper will suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Texans but handle limited reps, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Cooper is only expected to handle 10-12 snaps during his 2021 preseason debut, per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys activated Cooper from the PUP list Aug. 10 and he resumed participating in padded practice during Monday's session. All signs are that his recovery from January ankle surgery continues to progress as planned.

Bowden suffered a hamstring strain during Thursday's practice, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Bowden underwent an MRI to diagnose the full severity of his injury, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, but the tests did not reveal a full tear. While that's good news for Bowden's recovery timetable, it puts the Dolphins in position to make a difficult roster decision. The second-year pro boasts versatility and elusiveness, but there aren't enough depth spots to go around at wide receiver, and hamstring injuries can be tricky to fully shake.