NFL Player News

Johnston finished with five receptions (on seven targets) for 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Friday's 27-21 win over the Chiefs.

Johnston looked like a fantasy stud in Brazil after cashing in on two of Justin Herbert's trio of touchdown passes. The third-year wideout has had his shares of ups and downs, but this is the kind of performance the Chargers had in mind when they selected Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. It is worth noting that both Keenan Allen (7-68-1) and Ladd McConkey (6-74-0) finished with more targets and receptions in Friday's win. That said, if the Chargers offense continues to air out it out like we saw against the Chiefs, then all three starting receivers theoretically could eat this season. Johnston appears to be a priority addition ahead of next Monday's matchup against the Raiders.

Smith-Schuster brought in all five targets for 55 yards in the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

The veteran wideout took advantage of the opportunity created by the early first-quarter departure of Xavier Worthy (shoulder), finishing as a distant runner-up across the board to Hollywood Brown in receiving metrics. Smith-Schuster was slated to serve as the No. 3 receiver to open the season due to Rashee Rice's suspension, but Worthy's injury, if it carries over into a Week 2 home showdown against the Eagles, could lead to Smith-Schuster operating in a No. 2 role again.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after Friday's loss to the Chargers that the team doesn't have an update on Worthy (shoulder) aside from sharing that the wideout will get an MRI on Saturday, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.

Worthy hurt his shoulder Friday in a friendly fire incident with teammate Travis Kelce in the first quarter. The wideout left the field in apparent pain and was ruled out not long thereafter. The Chiefs have nine days until their next game (Sunday, Sept. 14 against Philadelphia), but if Worthy isn't able to get well enough to play by then, the team would be left with Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster as the top receivers, with Tyquan Thornton, Jason Brownlee, Nikko Remigio and possibly Jalen Royals (knee) adding depth at the position.

Brown brought in 10 of 16 targets for 99 yards in the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Brown led the Chiefs in receptions, receiving yards and targets, and Xavier Worthy's exit from the game on the third play from scrimmage due to a shoulder injury certainly played a part in the former's boost in opportunity. While Brown's mostly short-area role left him just short of the 100-yard mark despite the significant catch volume, he did record a game-long 49-yard reception. Brown's chemistry with Patrick Mahomes was certainly encouraging after the veteran wideout missed the majority of the 2024 regular season due to a sternoclavicular injury, and his hefty workload could come close to being replicated in a Super Bowl LIX home rematch with the Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 14 if Worthy is sidelined for that game.

McConkey corralled six of nine targets for 74 yards in Friday's 27-21 win over the Chiefs.

McConkey picked up where he left off following an impressive rookie campaign with a healthy dose of involvement in a Week 1 bout in Brazil. Returning WR Keenan Allen led his former club in both targets (10) and receptions (seven), providing a much-needed threat opposite McConkey in the Chargers' passing attack. While McConkey didn't cash in on any of Justin Herbert's three touchdown passes Friday, the shifty receiver still produced strong PPR numbers for a team that appeared to be shifting toward a more pass-friendly offense in 2025. The Chargers will receive a few extra days of rest before taking on the Raiders on Monday, Sept. 15.

Worthy (shoulder) won't return to Friday's game versus the Chargers in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Worthy took a hit directly to his right shoulder from TE Travis Kelce on the first drive of the contest while running an underneath route. He was in visible pain as he went to the sideline and then was escorted off the field and immediate to the X-ray room before being ruled out. With Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games of the season and Jalen Royals (knee) inactive, the Chiefs are left with Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jason Brownlee and Nikko Remigio for the rest of Week 1.

Worthy is questionable to return to Friday's game against the Chargers in Sao Paolo, Brazil due to a shoulder injury.

Worthy was a victim of some friendly fire on the Chiefs' opening possession when he was sideswiped by TE Travis Kelce on an underneath route. He remained down for a bit before making his way to the sideline in visible pain. After team trainers checked him out, Worthy then made his way to the locker room.

Flournoy reverted to Dallas' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Flournoy played 14 snaps on special teams after the Cowboys elevated him for their season opener at Philadelphia, but now he'll head back to the practice squad until further notice. Dallas has just four healthy wide receivers on its active roster, so it wouldn't be shocking if they considered elevating Flournoy from the practice squad again in Week 2 versus the Giants.

Watkins (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Seattle, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Watkins suffered a high-ankle sprain during San Francisco's preseason opener versus the Broncos, and it's now looking like there's a good chance he'll have to sit out Week 1 action as he continues to recover. The 49ers have just four healthy wide receivers going into the weekend, so there's a good chance they make a practice squad elevation prior to kickoff Sunday.

Thornton is a candidate to see added work early on this season, with Rashee Rice (suspension) set to miss the Chiefs' first six games, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

In Rice's absence, Xavier Worthy is in line to have a high profile in the passing offense, while Hollywood Brown and Thornton also figure to factor in, per Rapoport. Thornton earned a roster spot with a strong training camp, and now the speedster has a chance to make his mark out of the gate this season. Also in the team's WR mix are veteran option JuJu Smith-Schuster, with Jason Brownlee and Nikko Remigio on hand as well.