NFL Player News

In his latest 53-man roster projection, Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site predicts that Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Bourne and Gunner Olszewski will head the team's wideout corps out of the gate.

Perillo's projection supposes that N'Keal Harry, who's had a strong training camp to date, remains a candidate to be dealt, though that's not a lock to occur if the 2019 first-rounder continues his strong play. Either way, Bourne -- who signed a three year, $15 million contract with New England this offseason -- seems destined for a key role in New England's passing attack in 2021, with his ability to line up outside or in the slot an asset in that regard. That said, steady volume may be an issue for Bourne, if the team leans heavily on the run and/or two tight-end sets, which is quite plausible.

Gallup is in the final season of his rookie contract, but the Cowboys don't plan to sign him to an extension, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Having locked Dak Prescott up to a massive deal worth $40 million a season, the team has hit the pause button on any other negotiations, including ones for Gallup and pass rusher Randy Gregory. Gallup's numbers last year took a step backward from his impressive 2019, which could be a factor in the decision not to extend him, but he still figures to earn a significant raise once he hits free agency. Knowing he's playing for a new contract also gives the 25-year-old extra incentive to add another 1,000-yard campaign to his resume. With Amari Cooper's current deal also containing an easy out after 2021, Dallas may well have to choose which one of the two they want to retain as the starter opposite CeeDee Lamb.

Meyers has "picked up where he left off last year, and been the most dependable target" for the Patriots in training camp thus far, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports.

While much of the offseason attention was focused on free-agent additions Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, Meyers remains in the mix to carve out a key role in the Patriots' receiving corps in 2021. Also making a case on that front is 2019 first-rounder N'Keal Harry, but Meyers -- who led the team with 59 catches for 729 yards in 14 games last season -- is a player who could provide a degree of fantasy utility this coming season if the team's passing game picks up as hoped, either due to improvements on the part of incumbent starting QB Cam Newton, or to the potential emergence of promising rookie signal-caller Mac Jones.

Agholor (undisclosed) didn't practice Sunday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

This marks the first training camp absence for Agholor, who is projected to start for the Patriots after having signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the team this offseason. Also in the mix to be key cogs in the New England wide receiving corps in 2021 are Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and possibly N'Keal Harry, who's been impressive so far this summer.

Washington left Sunday's practice and was seen icing his right leg while watching from the sideline, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It appears to be a minor injury because Washington didn't go to the locker room to receive treatment for the issue. It was reported earlier in the week the 25-year-old requested a trade, though coach Mike Tomlin refuted that speculation. Washington may take things easy for a couple days, but the issue shouldn't affect his status for the start of the regular season.

Coach Ron Rivera noted Sunday that it's unclear when Samuel (reserve/COVID-19 and groin injury) will return to action, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports. "There's no timetable for Curtis," Rivera said of the wideout. "He's been in the system, he knows it. Yeah, you'd love for him to catch a few reps maybe in the last preseason game, but we're not going to rush him out there."

Samuel, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list July 29, is also bouncing back from a groin injury. With both issues in mind, the team plans to proceed deliberately with the wideout, who was signed by Washington this offseason to a three-year, $34.5 million contract, with the intention of pairing him with rising star Terry McLaurin. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Samuel is expected to come off the COVID-19 list this week but remains without a return timeline due to the groin issue. Based on Rivera's comments, it can be assumed for now that Samuel won't see action in either of the team's first two preseason contests.

Coach Urban Meyer expects Chark (finger) to play in the Jaguars' season opener against the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter's report confirms that the team's No. 1 wideout underwent surgery to address a hairline fracture of his finger, but given the timing of the procedure, Chark's Week 1 availability isn't expected to be impacted. Assuming that's the case, the 2018 second-rounder remains in line to head a 2021 wide receiver corps that also features Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault, with Phillip Dorsett, Collin Johnson and Jamal Agnew also in the mix.

Chark reportedly underwent a procedure this week to address a hairline fracture in his hand, but he is expected to be ready for the Jaguars' season opener, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union relays.

For his part, Mark Long of the Associated Press indicates that Chark is dealing with a finger issue, but either way it looks like Jacksonville's top wideout will miss some time, and his status now will need to be monitored leading up to Week 1.

As training camp progresses, Sutton (knee) "appears to be regaining his Pro-Bowl form of two seasons ago," according to Kyle Newman of The Denver Post.

Sutton is returning from an ACL tear that limited him to one game in 2020. While the 2018 second-rounder's reps have been managed by the team as he works his way back, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur notes that Sutton has made "steady progress, and now you're seeing him make plays." It remains to be seen if/when Sutton, who logged 1,112 yards on 72 catches with six TDs in 2019, will see any preseason game action, as is hoped, but once he's fully up to speed the 25-year old is in line to lead a talented one-two punch at wideout in Denver along with Jerry Jeudy, while KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick compete for the No. 3 slot on the team's WR depth chart.

With regard to reports that Washington has requested a trade, coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the wideout hasn't approached him about such a matter, Chris Harlan of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports. "Those unnamed sources, we don't react to or respond to," Tomlin noted Saturday. "James has been great here and working and having a great camp."

At this stage, Washington presumably slots in behind Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool in the Steelers' wideout pecking order, but the 2018 second-rounder still has "a good role" with the team, according to offensive coordinator Matt Canada. "We're really talented in that room right now," Canada said of the Steelers' current WR corps. "Certain games are different matchups. Certain things happen. But James is a big part of what we do and he'll continue to have a role with us." Washington logged 30 catches (on 56 targets) for 392 yards and five TDs in 16 games with Pittsburgh last season.