NFL Player News

Metcalf is making a strong impression on quarterback Russell Wilson, who says the rookie has intelligence to match his physical skills, John Boyle of Seahawks.com reports. "Everybody knows about [Metcalf's] ability to run and jump and catch and all that" Wilson said. "But I think more than anything else, it's his brain, how he processes information, how quickly he understands it. He's really intelligent, he understands the game really well."

The Seahawks have used Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown and David Moore as their top three wideouts during OTAs and minicamp, but there will be plenty of time this summer for Metcalf to leapfrog either Brown or Moore. Even if he doesn't win a Week 1 starting job, the rookie should at least serve as a part-time deep threat for Wilson, who ranked second in the league last season with a 122.9 passer rating on throws more than 20 yards downfield. With 4.33 speed and a 40.5-inch vertical leap at 6-foot-3, 228 pounds, Metcalf should be useful on deep passes even if he's slow to pick up on the intricacies of NFL-caliber route running. It sounds like Wilson is optimistic about the rookie being more than a one-trick pony.

Head coach Dan Quinn said that Gage's ability to contribute on both offense and special teams makes him "more valuable" heading into the 2019 season, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Gage suited up for 15 games during his rookie season, with 82 percent of his 340 total snaps coming on special teams. Coach Quinn complimenting Gage's versatility is an encouraging sign, but rookie Marcus Green (hamstring) could push him for a Week 1 roster spot if the team elects to keep less than six receivers. The top four slots in the receiving corps are locked down between Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu and Justin Hardy, with Gage and Green being the most likely candidates to serve as the No. 5 option and a key special teams contributor.

Lacy (lower leg) missed practice Thursday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Lacy reportedly sustained the injury last week and it's unsure whether he will be ready for training camp come late July. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for the Oklahoma State product, as he finds himself in a job battle with Andy Jones for what could end up being the last wide receiver spot on the team's 53-man roster.

McBride signed a contract with the Jaguars on Thursday.

McBride was let go by the Redskins on April 30 after the team drafted a pair of receivers. McBride's last regular-season game action came back in 2017 (with the Bears) and he'll have his work cut out for him in order to secure a roster spot with Jacksonville.

Dural was released by the Saints on Thursday, Sean Fazende of FOX 8 NOLA reports.

Dural spent the 2017 and 2018 offseasons with New Orleans but never appeared in a regular-season game, most recently because an arm injury landed Dural on injured reserve for the entire 2018 campaign. He's now being let go to clear room for the addition of veteran wideout Rishard Matthews. The 25-year-old LSU product will look to latch on elsewhere in advance of training camp.

Matthews signed a contract with the Saints on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Matthews auditioned at the Saints' minicamp this week and clearly impressed enough to earn a contract, which at least means a continued tryout through the start of training camp. There's still no guarantee Matthews sticks with New Orleans through to the regular season, though the depth chart isn't totally settled under Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn and Tre'Quan Smith either. In eight games with the Jets and Titans in 2018, Matthews caught five passes for 24 yards and no touchdowns.

Brown (foot) still isn't running full speed, but coach John Harbaugh is hopeful the rookie will be available at the start of training camp, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Brown is rehabbing from Jan. 8 surgery on a Lisfranc injury, with his participation thus far limited to select individual drills that don't involve running. He should have clearance to practice at some point in training camp, even if it doesn't quite happen at the beginning. Brown shouldn't need much time to earn a significant role, as the competition for snaps otherwise consists of Willie Snead, Chris Moore, Seth Roberts, Michael Floyd, Jordan Lasley and fellow rookie Miles Boykin (hamstring). The two rookies easily are the best athletes of the bunch, while Snead and Moore contributed to the Baltimore passing attack last season. It's less clear how Roberts, Floyd and Lasley might fit in, but they'll at least have the chance to battle for depth roles.

Boyd is entering the final year of his rookie contract but hopes to remain with the Bengals long term, Joe Danneman of FOX 19 Cincinnati reports. "I show it. I'm here practicing every day to show (the organization) I care about them. I believe I've showed I want to be here," the receiver said.

The Bengals finally got a worthwhile return on investment from Boyd after a season in which he broke out for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns on 76 receptions in 14 contests. With John Ross proving to be a disappointment thus far and A.J. Green on the final year of his own deal, it wouldn't be a surprise if Cincinnati eventually locks up the 25-year-old Boyd at some point before he hits the open market next offseason. It's convenient to think he could get a deal similar to that of a receiver picked 15 slots ahead of Boyd in the 2016 NFL Draft, Sterling Shepard, who got a four-year, $41 million contract from the Giants this spring. Working in Boyd's favor is that he appears fully healthy after undergoing minor knee surgery this offseason and is participating in team drills during this week's minicamp, according to Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site.

Matthews has worked out for the Saints on a tryout basis this week, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports.

Matthews has reportedly been impressive in the eyes of Holder. At one point, the 29-year-old receiver caught a deep pass from Drew Brees while working with the first-team offense. While it's not clear if Matthews will be asked to stick around, a union with the Saints is probably one of his best-case scenarios as he attempts to resurface in the NFL. Matthews appeared in eight games with the Jets and Titans in 2018 and finished the year with five receptions on nine targets for 24 yards and no touchdowns. He also saw action as a punt returner for the second time in his career, which could help Matthews' case in landing a spot on the 90-man roster.

Head coach Jason Garrett said Brown hasn't participated in this week's minicamp due to a recent knee scope, but the receiver is expected to be ready for training camp, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Teammate Kavon Frazier reportedly underwent a similar procedure a couple of weeks ago and has already resumed running, so this situation doesn't not seem too serious for Brown. At 23 years old and already entering his third season in the league, the Ohio State product is a top candidate to compete for slotting on the depth chart under Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb.