NFL Player News
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Jermaine Burton WR | CIN
Bengals' Jermaine Burton: Nearing return
Burton (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day and making good progress, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
The Bengals held Burton out of their second preseason game due to an unspecified injury. He mostly worked with the second-string offense during the preseason opener, also returning kickoffs and punts. There hasn't been much sign of Burton challenging Andrei Iosivas for the No. 3 receiver job, but the 2024 third-round pick could have a role as a return specialist and occasional depth wideout if he proves his health before Week 1.
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Tee Higgins WR | CIN
Bengals' Tee Higgins: To be held out for preseason finale
Higgins and other key Bengals players aren't scheduled to play in Saturday's preseason finale against Indianapolis, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The starters got run in the first two preseason games, with Joe Burrow leading Cincinnati to four touchdowns on five drives. Higgins didn't play quite as much as his quarterback, and he finished the preseason with just one incomplete target. The important thing is that Higgins stayed healthy throughout the offseason program and training camp after missing a handful of games each of the past two seasons. The Bengals will open their 2025 campaign with a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Cleveland on Sun., Sept. 7.
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Kyle Williams WR | NE
Patriots' Kyle Williams: Not expected to play Thursday
Williams (undisclosed), who has missed the Patriots' last two practices, isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
The same applies to fellow WRs Efton Chism (foot/ankle), Kendrick Bourne (leg), Ja'Lynn Polk (arm/shoulder) and Javon Baker. Of the group, Williams' roster standing is the most secure, but it remains to be seen how much volume the 2025 third-rounder sees early on this season, with Stefon Diggs (knee), DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins also in the mix for targets.
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Efton Chism III WR | NE
Patriots' Efton Chism: Not on track to play Thursday
Chism (foot/ankle), who has missed the Patriots' last two practices, isn't likely to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
For now, the Patriots wideout corps remains crowded, but Chism's strong training camp/preseason has put him in decent position to secure a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster, provided his injury issue doesn't linger. In his two preseason appearances, Chism has caught 12 passes for 121 yards and two TDs.
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Tyreek Hill WR | MIA
Dolphins' Tyreek Hill: Sitting out another practice
Hill (oblique) is not practicing Wednesday, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports.
Hill has been on and off the practice field due to a lingering oblique injury since early August, though he's been sidelined the majority of the time. Kelly now speculates that the veteran wideout could sit out practice until the start of the regular season in order to prioritize getting back to full health in time for Week 1 against the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 7. Overall, Miami's pass-catching corps has been trending in the right direction, with Jaylen Waddle back at practice and TE Darren Waller (undisclosed) having come off the active/PUP list Wednesday, though RB De'Von Achane (calf) seems to be facing a similar recovery timetable to Hill. Expect Hill to sit out Saturday's preseason finale against the Jaguars.
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Noah Brown WR | WAS
Commanders' Noah Brown: Not practicing
Brown (undisclosed) remains absent from practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
Brown initially was injured during June minicamp, and while he returned for the start of training camp as a limited participant, he either never made it back to full participation or was quickly sidelined again. Whatever the case, he hasn't played this preseason and seems uncertain for Week 1, which is especially concerning for a Commanders offense that also has Terry McLaurin (contract) absent from practice. Brown was viewed as at least a slight favorite for the No. 3 WR role earlier this offseason, potentially facing competition from Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup. It's unclear at this point who besides Deebo Samuel will take WR snaps come Week 1.
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Cornell Powell WR | PIT
Texans' Cornell Powell: Signs with Houston
The Texans signed Powell on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Powell was one of two wideouts signed by Houston on Monday, along with Juwann Winfree, after John Metchie was traded to the Eagles. The 27-year-old Powell has spent time with Kansas City and the Seahawks, and has played for the DC Defenders of the UFL. He's appeared in three career NFL games without recording a target.
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Isaiah Bond WR | CLE
Browns' Isaiah Bond: Practices Tuesday
Bond practiced for the first time with the Browns on Tuesday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Cleveland signed Bond on Monday, shortly after a sexual assault charge against him was dropped. His three-year deal is fully guaranteed, a strong sign he'll be on the initial 53-man roster despite going undrafted in 2025. Bond told reporters that he's stayed sharp and been working out, and he feels ready to compete for a depth spot at wide receiver. The Texas product doesn't have much time to learn the playbook however, and may not have enough time to ramp up ahead of the Browns' final preseason game Saturday.
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Darius Lassiter WR | JAC
Darius Lassiter: Waived by Jacksonville
The Jaguars waived Lassiter on Tuesday.
Lassiter had signed with the team as an undrafted free agent out of BYU in April but was unable to stand out in a crowded receiver room. He will now look to find another opportunity elsewhere and make his NFL debut during the upcoming campaign.
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Mario Williams WR | LAR
Mario Williams: Let go by Rams
The Rams waived/injured Williams (undisclosed) on Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Williams may have picked up the injury during the Rams' 23-22 preseason win over the Chargers on Saturday, when he caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown while returning two kicks for 40 yards. The nature of his injury isn't clear, but by being waived with an injury designation, Williams would revert to the Rams' IR if he clears waivers, forcing him to miss the entire 2025 season unless an injury settlement is reached.