NFL Player News

Grant (Achilles) is practicing Thursday, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Grant reportedly looks sharp in 1-on-1 drills, displaying his usual speed and agility. He suffered a season-ending Achilles' injury Nov. 11, declining to provide details apart from denying that he ruptured the tendon. Grant has served as the fourth/fifth receiver and return specialist throughout most of his career, but he could challenge for a top-three WR role this summer if either Albert Wilson (hip), Kenny Stills or DeVante Parker disappoints.

Coach Bruce Arians told Jim Rome that Godwin won't ever come off the field. "We can use him in the slot, we can use him out wide...so he'll never come off the field," Arians said of the wideout.

Arians previously mentioned triple-digit receptions as a reasonable goal for Godwin, who will be needed in a larger role after the Buccaneers lost DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries during the offseason. The team went cheap with its replacements, signing Breshad Perriman to a one-year contract and then drafting Scott Miller in the sixth round. The Tampa passing game will run through Godwin, Mike Evans and tight end O.J. Howard.

Ridley tweaked his right hamstring during Thursday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ridley initially continued practicing but then left the field to stretch out with the training staff. He'll likely be held out for the rest of the day even if his injury doesn't appear serious.

Williams inked an undisclosed contract with the Seahawks on Wednesday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Williams spent the tail-end of 2018 with the Browns' practice squad before he was cut in February. The 23-year-old wideout has yet to suit up for an NFL game since going undrafted in 2017, and will now battle for a depth role on a young but emerging receiving core.

Mickens signed an undisclosed contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old wasn't tendered by Jacksonville, after he returned 12 punts for 59 yards in six games last season, before landing on IR due to a broken ankle. Mickens will face an uphill battle to secure a roster spot in training camp but could help his chances by flashing special teams prowess in preseason.

Brown passed the Ravens' conditioning test Wednesday but still needs to receive full clearance from the left foot surgery he required in January before he begins practicing with the team.

With that in mind, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes that the Ravens hope that Brown -- the first wide receiver selected in April's draft -- will be cleared soon. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com suggests that he wouldn't be surprised to see the speedy pass catcher on the field as soon as next week. Whenever he gets the green light to practice, Brown will be eased back in, but the rookie tentatively looks on track to face no restrictions by the time Week 1 arrives. Though he's slightly built at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Brown's high-end speed could make him the Ravens' top downfield threat before long.

Smith (knee) will open training camp on the Panthers' preseason PUP list, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old logged just 17 catches for 190 yards and a pair of scores in 11 games with the Panthers in 2018. With D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel destined for key roles in the Carolina offense, Smith -- once healthy -- will merely be jostling for depth slotting along with Chris Hogan, Jarius Wright, Aldrick Robinson and Rashad Ross.

Fountain is day-to-day with an ankle injury, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Fountain was removed from the Non-Football Injury list but is still dealing with this injury, which doesn't sound serious. As a rookie Fountain suited up for only one game, playing a total of three offensive snaps without a target in addition to three snaps on special teams. When healthy, he'll compete with Zach Pascal and Deon Cain (knee) for a depth role.

The Giants placed Wesley (undisclosed) on their Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, per the NFL transactions report.

Wesley's current injury remains undisclosed, but it's worth noting that he sat out the Senior Bowl due to a groin issue. The wideout went undrafted in 2019 despite boasting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Northern Colorado, and will work to carve out a depth role in New York upon getting healthy.

Slayton is sitting out Wednesday's training-camp session due to a hamstring injury that is thought to be minor, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

The rookie fifth-round pick watched from the sidelines while the Giants held their first practice of camp. Once he gets on the field, Slayton will join a deep competition for the No. 3 job at wide receiver, battling Corey Coleman, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler and Russell Shepard.