NFL Player News

Allen did not play in Thursday's 27-24 preseason victory over the 49ers.

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering neither the Chargers nor 49ers opted to play any of their regular starters. Allen did miss time throughout the preseason with a minor ankle injury, but it never seemed to be a significant issue. As a result, the 27-year-old should be set for a Week 1 matchup against the Colts.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Butler has "made a really good impression" on the team, Amie Just of nola.com reports.

Listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the undrafted rookie out of Northern Arizona caught just six of 12 targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games, but his strong work in practice could earn him a spot on the 53-man roster. Butler is competing with a horde of other young players for the remaining wideout spots behind Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn and Tre'Quan Smith.

The Jaguars are cutting Pryor (hamstring), who didn't play in Thursday's preseason finale against Atlanta, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A hamstring injury limited Pryor to one appearance and three receptions during the preseason, essentially robbing him of any chance to build a case for the 53-man roster. The 30-year-old wide receiver doesn't seem especially likely to land another job before Week 1.

Cooper (plantar fasciitis) is expected back at practice next week as the Cowboys prepare for a Week 1 matchup against the Giants, the team's official website reports.

Speaking after Thursday's final preseason game, owner/GM Jerry Jones said he anticipated Cooper, as well as Tyron Smith (back) and Zack Martin (back), would be able to practice in the leadup to the regular season opener. Jones also said he isn't concerned about the rhythm of the offense after Cooper missed the entire preseason dealing with his foot issue. "I don't see it impacting us at all," Jones said. "I'm just glad that he's got his health in place that it is relative to his foot." With Ezekiel Elliott's holdout looking more and more likely to extend past Week 1, Cooper and the Dallas passing attack could end up being a larger part of the game plan than expected against New York.

Grant didn't play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Saints.

Grant dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in August, but his absence Thursday likely was just a matter of the Dolphins holding out key players. The 26-year-old wide receiver and return specialist signed a four-year extension last week, while teammate Kenny Stills (leg) has been the subject of trade rumors. Grant currently profiles as Miami's fourth or fifth option at wide receiver for Week 1 against the Ravens.

James caught his lone target for seven yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Chargers.

James had his quietest preseason output in the final game of exhibition play. The team has likely seen enough from the second-year wideout to determine his worth to the team. The 23-year-old appears to be on the bubble for a deeper 49ers receiving corps in 2019, but if Trent Taylor (foot) and Jalen Hurd (back) are forced to miss the start of the season, then James would immediately become the most experienced healthy slot receiver on the roster. That said, there are still too many options that appear to be ahead of the 2018 seventh-round pick for him to make a fantasy impact even if he were to survive roster cuts.

Miller caught three of six targets for 19 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Lions.

Nothing should be read into the fact that Miller received significant playing time in the final preseason game, traditionally a meaningless affair played mostly by guys that will end up released Saturday. Head coach Freddie Kitchens was eager to see Miller after the former Ohio State Buckeye was added to the roster last week. Antonio Callaway (suspension) will miss the first four games, so there is a spot available for Miller, who had one nice diving grab for 13 yards that dug the Browns out of a hole at their own 2-yard-line. His main challenger, Ishmael Hyman, had a bad first-quarter stretch with a couple of drops and couldn't corral a contested third-down pass.

Bourne brought in one of his three targets for 21 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason finale against the Chargers.

Bourne got off to a rough start Thursday, dropping a pass on an out route that hit him in the hands. He made up for it later by making a diving catch in the end zone for a score. Bourne is currently competing with a few different options for the final spots on the wide receiver depth chart. The fact that the 24-year-old played in the final preseason game doesn't bode well for his current prospects, but things could change come final roster cuts Saturday.

McBride caught three of seven targets, totaling 37 receiving yards during Thursday's 31-12 preseason loss to the Falcons.

On a night when Jaguars receivers couldn't catch a cold, McBride led the group as he had for much of the preseason. The 26-year-old pass catcher retains an outside shot at a roster spot given his past experience contributing on special teams, as well as the fact that he's been first or second on the team in receiving yardage for each of its four exhibition games this year, with 42 more total receiving yards than any other Jaguars wideout.

Ateman caught five of seven targets for 49 yards in Thursday's 17-15 preseason loss to Seattle.

Ateman had a solid showing in his final opportunity to earn a roster spot this preseason. Fellow fringe wideout Keelan Doss had more receptions and yards, but he also received a team-high 12 targets. There is likely only room for one -- if either -- of the lanky wideouts on the 53-man roster, so we will see who head coach Jon Gruden decides to roll with when roster cuts are due Saturday.