NFL Player News

Coutee (ankle) did not practice Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Coutee sustained a minor ankle injury during the team's preseason loss to the Packers, but the wide receiver was considered unlikely to practice until sometime early next week. It's possible the 22-year-old could lose some playing time to the newly acquired running back Duke Johnson, who has repeatedly gone on record about his affection for running routes in the slot, but that possibility seems unlikely unless Coutee's injury lingers longer than the aforementioned timeline.

Kirk wasn't targeted during Thursday's preseason win versus the Chargers.

Although rookie QB Kyler Murray targeted five different receivers on the Cardinals' first possession, Kirk wasn't among them. Still, considering his performance in a listless offense last year -- a 43-590-3 line on 68 targets across 12 games -- interested parties shouldn't worry too much as the team transitions to a high-tempo scheme. Kirk will be competing for reps with the ageless Larry Fitzgerald and running back David Johnson, among others, so the second-year wideout's number of looks may not experience a massive uptick. On a positive note, there's nowhere to go but up.

Washington brought in four of five targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 30-28 preseason win over the Buccaneers on Friday.

Washington paced the Steelers in receptions and receiving yardage while seeing extensive playing time. The second-year wideout's touchdown reception came on the third drive, when he snared a perfect back-shoulder throw from Mason Rudolph. Washington also posted 43- and 22-yard catches during the contest, making it a stellar all-around effort on a night when JuJu Smith-Schuster was inactive for precautionary reasons.

Smith caught two of his three targets for 16 yards during Friday's 34-25 preseason loss to the Vikings.

Smith tied for third on the team in targets but did little of note outside of a 12-yard gain in the first half. He currently sits third on the depth chart behind Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn, but this performance did little to change that, especially when considering Drew Brees didn't play. Smith will look to do more with his opportunities in the next contest against the Chargers.

Perriman brought in one of two targets for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 30-28 preseason loss to the Steelers on Friday.

With Mike Evans sitting out the exhibition opener for precautionary reasons, it was Perriman shifting into the starting lineup alongside Chris Godwin. The offseason acquisition, who is believed to have the inside track to the No. 3 receiver job, was able to make his mark on the stat sheet during his one series of work. Perriman figures to slot back into his third receiver role when Evans likely makes his preseason debut against the Dolphins next Friday.

Godwin brought in both of his targets for 20 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 30-28 preseason loss to the Steelers on Friday.

With Mike Evans sitting Friday, Godwin was the featured receiver on the team's successful opening drive, capping it off with a nifty nine-yard touchdown grab off a screen. The Penn State product is expected to have a massive role in head coach Bruce Arians' offense this coming season, and his production Friday was certainly an encouraging glimpse of what he could be capable of.

Isabella (knee) didn't suit up for Thursday's preseason win against the Chargers, but coach Kliff Kingsbury expects the rookie wide receiver to play in the Cardinals' second exhibition on Aug. 15 versus the Raiders, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

In the week preceding Thursday's game, Isabella was held out of all but Tuesday's practice with what Kingsbury described as a "minor" knee injury. The Cardinals' next session is Saturday, at which point Isabella can continue to get himself back to 100 percent. A 2019 second-round pick, Isabella may have been the favorite on paper to start alongside Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk to start the campaign, but instead he's listed as a second-stringer on the team's first unofficial depth chart of training camp.

Strong could start seeing more reps in practice with Antonio Callaway suspended for the first four games of the regular season, Scott Patsko of Cleveland.com reports.

Strong most recently played 40 snaps in the Browns' preseason opener on Thursday, which was tied with Rashard Higgins for the most by a wide receiver. While Higgins is being viewed as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart, especially in the absence of Callaway, the door is certainly open for Strong to earn more opportunities.

McKenzie led the Bills in receiving Thursday, catching both of his targets for 62 yards in the win over the Colts.

That consisted of a 38-yard gain and a 24-yarder from the speedy little guy. McKenzie seems to be on the bubble for a roster spot with the top five just about set, barring injury -- John Brown, Zay Jones, Cole Beasley, Robert Foster and Andre Roberts. If the Bills are to keep a sixth guy, it looks like Ray-Ray McCloud has been the one turning heads all summer, but McKenzie probably sent a few of those looks his way with the two big gainers Thursday.

Berrios caught all three of his targets for 45 yards in Thursday's preseason opener, a 31-3 win over the Lions.

The 2018 sixth-rounder continues to battle for depth chart slotting with the likes of Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Maurice Harris and Dontrelle Inman, but if Berrios can impress the Patriots' coaching staff as a route-runner, the 5-foot-9, 183-pounder could emerge as a direct backup to PPR-ace Julian Edelman.