NFL Player News

Head coach Bruce Arians said Evans is dealing with a "tweaked" hamstring, Jenna Laine of ESPN reports. "No sense in aggravating it this time of year," Arians said.

Evans is being held out for the third straight day of minicamp Thursday, which marks Tampa's last practice until training camp. However, he was at least able to jog off on the side with trainers, which bodes very well for Evans' availability going forward. He'll now have roughly two months worth of time to get back to full health before training camp opens.

Pettis said he now weighs 197 pounds, Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle reports. "I know I'm a little slimmer," Pettis said. "So that's something I've always been trying to work on: Just trying to gain a little more weight, get a little stronger."

Despite struggling with knee injuries and the intricacies of Kyle Shanahan's offense, Pettis finished out his rookie campaign with a 20-359-4 receiving line on 31 targets over his final five games. The late outburst puts him in good position for a starting job this season, but he'll have serious competition for volume in a San Francisco offense with solid depth at both wide receiver and running back, not to mention a tight end (George Kittle) who demands at least seven or eight targets per game. The 49ers officially listed Pettis at 195 pounds last year, but he was measured at just 186 at the 2018 combine. While he'll always be on the thin side for an NFL wide receiver, he at least now lands in the normal range.

Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald believes Parker has been the Dolphins' best player throughout OTAs and minicamp.

We've heard this story before, but it's a little more interesting with a new coaching staff in town and Parker re-signed on a two-year, $10 million contract that includes $4.5 million guaranteed. The Dolphins didn't procure any external upgrades for their wideout group during the offseason, even though Albert Wilson (hip) and Jakeem Grant (Achilles) are still rehabbing from season-ending injuries. That leaves Parker with a clear path to a starting job across from Kenny Stills (undisclosed), albeit on a team with a shaky offensive line and either Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen starting at quarterback.

Moore has been taking first-team reps alongside Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown during spring practices, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Moore had 413 yards and five touchdowns over an eight-game stretch Weeks 4-12 last season, but he was demoted to the No. 4 spot at wide receiver by the end of the year, logging just 12 snaps on offense in a playoff loss to Dallas. While Doug Baldwin's retirement created opportunity for the players left behind, the Seahawks acted quickly to add competition with draft picks in the second round (DK Metcalf), fourth round (Gary Jennings) and seventh round (John Ursua). Metcalf has mostly worked with the second-stringers so far, while Jennings and Ursua have been limited by hamstring injuries. Regardless, Moore will need to battle for a top-three spot throughout training camp and the preseason.

Lockett primarily played slot in three-receiver formations at OTAs, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Lockett took nearly half his snaps from the slot the past two seasons and could see even more work inside now that Doug Baldwin has retired. Regardless of where he lines up, Lockett won't be able to maintain his record-setting 2018 efficiency -- 13.8 YPT, one TD for every 5.7 catches -- but he's made a strong case to see an increase from last year's mark of 70 targets. Granted, the Seahawks attempted the fewest passes (427) in the league last season and used three of their draft picks on wide receivers. Lockett is the only wideout assured of a starting gig, with Jaron Brown, David Moore, DK Metcalf and Gary Jennings (hamstring) all competing for roles.

Jones (knee) was working with the rehab group Wednesday during the Lions' mandatory minicamp, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Jones hasn't done much in individual or team drills this spring and seems likely to be held under wraps until training camp starts up. With Kenny Golladay (chest) also working his way back from an injury, the Lions' first-team receiving corps has mostly consisted of Danny Amendola, Chris Lacy and Andy Jones this week, according to Rothstein.

Wilson (shoulder) has been participating in OTAs, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Wilson didn't see a lick of playing time as a sixth-round rookie in 2018 thanks to a shoulder injury he suffered in training camp. Now apparently healthy again, the Boise State product is back in the mix and ready to compete for a depth role in the Cowboys' receiving corps.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Valdes-Scantling had a good spring and believes the second-year receiver has what it takes to be an every-down player in 2019, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

That's high praise from one of the league's best passers, not to mention great news for a young receiver on a depth chart that's unsettled beyond top dog Davante Adams. While Valdes-Scantling will need to continue his impressive play when the pads come on during training camp, he nonetheless appears to have taken advantage of his first full offseason program as a professional and undoubtedly benefits from the fact Green Bay didn't sign or draft another noteworthy wideout. As it stands, his primary competition appears to be Geronimo Allison and Equanimeous St. Brown, though Jake Kumerow and J'Mon Moore could make a bid for playing time as well.

Gallup exited Wednesday's practice after experiencing tightness in his leg, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports. "We didn't want to risk anything, so we just took him out," wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal said.

It doesn't sound as though Gallup is dealing with anything too severe, but his status is now worth monitoring through next week's mandatory minicamp, which starts Tuesday. If he can make it back on the field next week, there shouldn't be any concern for Gallup's availability for training camp this summer. Despite the offseason addition of Randall Cobb, the second-year receiver looks to be among the favorites to open the season in a starting role.

Coach Pat Shurmur said Shepard missed Wednesday's practice due to a minor wrist injury, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

It's possible Shepard's absence could be precautionary, but his situation will nonetheless be worth monitoring in advance of training camp. Fresh off signing a lucrative four-year extension with the Giants in April, Shepard is primed for a significant role on offense alongside fellow pass catchers Golden Tate, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley.