NFL Player News
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Isaiah Bond WR | CLE
Browns' Isaiah Bond: Listed as top punt returner
Bond is listed atop the unofficial depth chart as the punt returner ahead of Week 5 against Minnesota.
The Browns had to scramble this week after placing DeAndre Carter (knee) on injured reserve following last week's loss to the Lions. Bond is slated to replace Carter on punts, while Jerome Ford is expected to return kickoffs. Bond had some experience fielding punts in college and earlier this season stepped in for a concussed Carter in Week 2. The added return role, however, is small potatoes compared to what is expected to be a larger profile as a receiver; Cleveland also placed wideout Cedric Tillman (hamstring) on injured reserve, and Bond is expected to see an increased workload on offense.
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Tutu Atwell WR | LAR
Rams' Tutu Atwell: Big gains on both catches
Atwell brought in two of four targets for 72 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.
Atwell finished third in receiving yards despite recording just a pair of receptions, including a 38-yard grab in Los Angeles' overtime drive. He's suddenly come to life in the passing game over the past five days after going into Week 4 with just one catch for four yards, as he's posted a 3-160-1 line on six targets in the last pair of contests. Despite the recent surge, Atwell remains a hit-or-miss deep threat in an offense that runs almost exclusively through Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams.
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Demarcus Robinson WR | SF
49ers' Demarcus Robinson: Trio of grabs in elevated role
Robinson brought in three of seven targets for 39 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.
With Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) joining Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list) on the sidelines, Robinson shot up to No. 2 on the WR depth chart in only his second game in a 49ers uniform. The veteran wasn't overly efficient in his first opportunity to work with Mac Jones, but he turned in some solid gains on his trio of receptions. Kendrick Bourne, Christian McCaffrey and Jake Tonges all got more of Jones' attention, but Robinson could still have a meaningful role in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12 considering San Francisco could still be down multiple receivers.
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Davante Adams WR | LAR
Rams' Davante Adams: Team-high yardage total in OT loss
Adams brought in five of 11 targets for 88 yards in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.
Adams edged Puka Nacua by three for the team lead in receiving yards, and he was one target behind his teammate for the top spot in that category as well. Adams' yardage and target tallies were also his best since Week 2 and second highest of the campaign in both cases. Nacua remains the clear alpha option in the Rams' air attack, but Adams' role as the No. 2 receiver is just as clearly delineated heading into a Week 6 road matchup against the Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 12.
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Kendrick Bourne WR | SF
49ers' Kendrick Bourne: Career-best yardage in OT win
Bourne brought in 10 of 11 targets for 142 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.
The veteran receiver set a new career high in receiving yards during the hard-fought win, one in which Bourne played the role of No. 1 receiver thanks to the absences of Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee). Bourne's reception and receiving yardage totals were both team highs, and he tied tight end Jake Tonges for the lead in targets as well. Were all of San Francisco's receivers, including Brandon Aiyuk (knee, reserve/PUP list), healthy, Bourne would be either the No. 4 or No. 5 receiver, but his performance Thursday corroborated what he can do with an elevated role. Bourne could well be one of the 49ers' top three wideout options again in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12.
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Puka Nacua WR | LAR
Rams' Puka Nacua: Double-digit catch total in OT loss
Nacua secured 10 of 12 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.
Nacua was in the customary position of leading the Rams in receptions and targets while checking in second in receiving yards. The prolific pass catcher also brought in one of Matthew Stafford's three touchdown passes, recording a one-yard scoring grab with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Nacua now has three consecutive double-digit reception and target totals, and he's posted both of his touchdowns this season in the last pair of contests. Nacua will remain Stafford's most reliable target in a Week 6 road matchup against the Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 12.
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Sterling Shepard WR | TB
Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Full practice Thursday
Shepard (foot) practiced in full Thursday.
After missing Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Shepard was able to handle every practice rep one day later, clearing him for Week 5 action. With Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to be out again Sunday in Seattle, Shepard is poised to remain the No. 3 wide receiver in the Buccaneers offense behind Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, a role that's amounted to 13 catches (on 19 targets) for 167 yards and no touchdowns for him in four games this season.
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Derius Davis WR | LAC
Chargers' Derius Davis: Absent from practice
Davis (knee) was a non-participant at practice Thursday.
Davis has now been unavailable for each of the team's first two practices of the week, as he continues to nurse the knee injury he suffered in Week 3 against Denver. The wide receiver will have one more chance to return to practice prior to Sunday's matchup with the Commanders.
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Devontez Walker WR | BAL
Ravens' Devontez Walker: Returns to practice Thursday
Walker (oblique) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Walker is recovering from an oblique injury that he likely sustained in Week 4 against the Chiefs. He has opened the week with a DNP-LP practice log, and Friday's injury report will provide clarity on his chances of playing against the Texans on Sunday. The 2024 fourth-rounder has three catches on as many targets for 60 yards and two touchdowns through the first four games of the regular season.
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Dante Pettis WR | NO
Dante Pettis: Back with New Orleans on PS
The Saints signed Pettis to the practice squad Thursday.
Pettis signed a one-year deal with the Saints in March but was unable to make the team's practice squad at the end of training camp. He was without a team for just over a month, but he has opted to return to New Orleans as a member of the team's practice squad. Pettis would be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster for the Saints' Week 5 clash against the Giants on Sunday if fellow wide receiver Trey Palmer (ankle) is unable to play.