Austin (abdomen) isn't suited up ahead of Thursday's preseason game at Carolina, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Austin thus won't play during exhibition season due to an abdominal injury that has lingered since at least Aug. 3. The Steelers tinkered with the top of their receiving corps this offseason by swapping out George Pickens (Dallas) for DK Metcalf (Seattle), but Austin otherwise doesn't have much competition for WR reps behind Metcalf. The 2022 fourth-round pick put together a 36-548-4 line on 58 targets in 17 regular-season games last year.

Coach Dave Canales said Coker (illness) is slated to play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers for "conditioning" purposes, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Coker sat out this past Saturday's exhibition versus the Texans due to an illness, so getting some reps Thursday appears to be on the docket for the 2024 undrafted rookie. Last season, he impressed with 32 catches (on 46 targets) for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 11 regular-season games. With Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring), Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen and Brycen Tremayne all out Thursday, Coker will be in the mix for WR reps along with Hunter Renfrow, David Moore and Jimmy Horn.

Legette isn't slated to suit up for Thursday's preseason game versus the Steelers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Legette started both of Carolina's first two exhibitions, combining for 17 offensive snaps and no targets in those appearances. The 2024 first-round pick is coming off a rookie campaign in which he compiled a 49-497-4 line on 84 targets across 16 regular-season games. Legette will be joined on the sidelines by fellow WRs Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring), Adam Thielen and Brycen Tremayne, leaving the likes of Jalen Coker (illness), Hunter Renfrow, David Moore and Jimmy Horn as the potential options at the position Thursday. Legette's next chance for game action will come Week 1 at Jacksonville on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Polk plans to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Polk underwent a shoulder procedure earlier in the offseason as well, but it's unclear if his current issue is setback-related or a new injury. Confirmation from the Patriots has yet to happen, but at this stage it looks like the second-year wideout likely is headed to IR. Prior to Thursday's news, Polk was in contention for a depth role in New England's crowded wideout corps.

Wilson (knee/ankle) will undergo season-ending surgery, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Wilson had been enjoying a strong training camp and preseason that had him on pace to easily make the 53-man roster and possibly even challenge for playing time in three-receiver sets. Instead, the 2024 sixth-round pick will miss the entire 2025 campaign after suffering a serious injury to his knee and ankle Tuesday. Jahan Dotson and John Metchie are the top candidates for playing time behind A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (groin).

Peoples-Jones was released by the Saints on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Peoples-Jones was let go one day after the Saints traded for fellow wide receiver Devaughn Vele. Peoples-Jones last suited up for a regular-season NFL game in 2023 with the Lions. He had 839 receiving yards with the Browns in 2022.

Reagor (lower body) returned to team drills Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Reagor had been sidelined by a lower-body injury since late July. Prior to that point, Reagor had been working with the first-team offense in drills, though he has likely dropped a few spots on the depth chart since then due to the development or rookies Tre Harris (undisclosed) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, as well as the signing of veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Reagor's battling for a spot on the Chargers' 53-man roster, and his chances of making the team could be bolstered if Quentin Johnston's (concussion) absence stretches into the regular season.

Cota signed with the Browns on Thursday.

Cota spent the first half of August with the Browns before being waived Aug. 13. He's back with the organization ahead of Cleveland's preseason finale against the Rams on Saturday.

Henning (undisclosed) was carted off the practice field Thursday and then needed crutches to move around, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Henning was already unlikely to make Miami's 53-man roster, but Thursday's injury could shut the door completely if it leads to additional missed time. He signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern in April.

Harris (undisclosed) didn't participate in team drills Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Harris left practice Wednesday with trainers after individual drills and a day later was once again held out of the team portion of practice. The rookie wideout's unspecified injury issue thus clouds his status for Saturday's preseason finale against the 49ers.