NFL Player News

Watson took frequent slot reps during spring practices, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

New coach Bruce Arians previously discussed using Chris Godwin in the slot, which likely would leave Mike Evans (hamstring) and Breshad Perriman as the outside receivers in three-wide formations. Of course, Perriman's role in the offense is no sure thing, so the Bucs may pivot to a different plan if Watson or Scott Miller outplays the 2015 first-round pick this summer. Watson was a fifth-round selection in 2018, lifted by an impressive showing at his pro day -- 4.44 40, 124-inch broad jump -- after a prolific Ivy League career with 3,777 receiving yards at Penn. He primarily played special teams his rookie season, catching one pass for five yards on 73 offensive snaps.

The NFL does not plan to fine or suspend Hill after completing its investigation into allegations of child abuse, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

The investigation didn't provide enough evidence to conclude that Hill violated the league's personal conduct policy. He's now eligible to participate in all team activities, including regular-season games. The NFL's statement acknowledges the possibility of another investigation, but only if the league receives new information from law enforcement. The Chiefs released their own statement saying that Hill will have his team suspension lifted to allow for participation at the outset of training camp. Palmer believes it will be a matter of weeks or even months before the Chiefs consider signing Hill to a contract extension. The 25-year-old wideout is entering the fourth and final season of his rookie deal.

Brown (foot) faces a difficult timeline to be ready for Week 1, Jeff Zrebic of The Athletic reports.

Coming back from Jan. 8 surgery on a Lisfranc injury, Brown still wasn't running full speed at June minicamp and was placed on the non-football injury list Thursday for the start of training camp. The Ravens haven't provided a useful update since mid-June, but that should change soon enough once coach John Harbaugh talks with the media. Given the state of their wideout depth chart, the Ravens likely intend for the first-round pick to handle a key role whenever he's cleared to play.

Blacknall was waived by the Raiders on Thursday.

Blacknall was also waived by Oakland in November of 2018. Assuming he clears waivers, he'll have a good chance to re-sign with the practice squad.

The Ravens placed Brown (foot) on the non-football injury list, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Per Hensley, such a fate is reserved for those players that fail the conditioning test required to take part in training camp. Brown missed the entire pre-draft process due to his recovery from January surgery to address a Lisfranc injury, but he still displayed enough in college to be the first receiver picked in the 2019 draft. The sooner he begins working with second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson, the better, so Brown's status will remain of interest until he's cleared to take the practice field and later put on the pads in exhibitions.

Robinson will be asked to replace Chris Conley in the Kansas City offense, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Robinson and Conley actually had similar pass-catching production last season, though the former played just 419 offensive snaps (40 percent) while the latter handled 802 (77 percent). Robinson's superior per-snap and per-target efficiency bodes well for continued growth, depending on what happens with Tyreek Hill (suspension) and rookie second-round pick Mecole Hardman. Kansas City's ideal scenario may feature Robinson in the No. 4 job again, but the question marks ahead of him -- including Sammy Watkins' injury history -- should create opportunities for a top-three role for at least part of the season. Coach Andy Reid specifically mentioned that Robinson does an excellent job getting open for Patrick Mahomes on broken plays when the quarterback scrambles outside the pocket.

Cracraft's chances of making the active roster have increased with the retirement of Aaron Burbirdge, Benjamin Allbright of KOA News Radio reports.

Burbridge, already familiar with offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello's scheme from their time together with the 49ers, was reportedly a sleeper in spring practices. After battling injuries throughout his career and now taking an early retirement, the depth chart shifts with his departure. Veteran Emmanuel Sanders and promising youngsters Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, and Tim Patrick seem to be locks. Assuming the Broncos keep at least five wideouts, Cracraft seems like the most likely fifth option. The Washington State product has just one career reception -- a 44-yarder from Week 17 -- but adds value as a potential returner on special teams.

Wims looked good during offseason workouts and appears primed to compete for a role on offense, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

The 2018 seventh-round pick led the NFL with 227 receiving yards last preseason, earning a spot on Chicago's 53-man roster throughout the year. He was active for four contests, including a four-catch, 35-yard outing Week 17 against Minnesota. The path to a meaningful role in 2019 appears difficult after the Bears bolstered their wideout depth with the signing of Cordarrelle Patterson and drafting of Riley Ridley, but there is some chance for Wims to make a push toward the No. 4 spot. Other candidates for depth roles include Marvin Hall, Emanuel Hall (sports hernia) and Tanner Gentry.

Isabella has a chance to earn an immediate role on offense, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk are locked in for key roles, leaving Isabella to compete with a couple other rookies (Hakeem Butler, KeeSean Johnson) and a slew of veterans (Trent Sherfield, Kevin White, Damiere Byrd, Chad Williams) for the third and fourth spots at wide receiver. The No. 4 receiver doesn't get many snaps in a typical NFL offense, but it'll be a different story in Arizona if coach Kliff Kingsbury's pro version of the Air Raid is similar to what he used at Texas Tech -- a scheme heavy on four-wide sets. Given that Charles Clay, Ricky Seals-Jones and Maxx Williams are the top options at tight end, there won't be any pressure to keep one of them on the field at all times. Of course, it's no sure thing the fourth WR will be a better choice, as the position group is full of question marks behind Fitzgerald and Kirk. Isabella's combination of speed (4.31 40), college production (3,526 receiving yards) and second-round draft status makes him an early favorite for the No. 3 job.

Jones (undisclosed) should be ready for the start of training camp Nate Mendelson of the Bills' official website reports.

Jones, Cole Beasley (abdomen) and Robert Foster (foot) all missed June minicamp, temporarily leaving John Brown unquestioned as the top receiving threat. It remains to be seen how the Bills divide snaps between the four wide receivers, with each boasting a reasonable case for consistent playing time. Jones led the team in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns last season, but his averages of 11.6 yards per catch and 6.4 per target were far from impressive. Even his late-season TD outburst left plenty of room for doubt, with Jones catching 19 of 42 targets (45.2 percent) for 260 yards (6.2 YPT) and five scores in five December games.