NFL Player News

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Week 6 could be a realistic target for Aiyuk (ACL) to take the field, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan preempted the estimate by saying he hadn't given the date much thought, but Week 6 nonetheless seems like a fairly realistic target for Aiyuk, who is recovering from right knee surgery that he underwent last November to address ACL and MCL tears, to make his 2025 debut. In that scenario, Aiyuk would figure to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, then begin ramping his activity level up before hopefully taking the field Sunday, Oct. 12 on the road against Tampa Bay. Even then, it's conceivable Aiyuk could get off to a slow start and ramp his way up to a full starting share of snaps, meaning it would incentivize fantasy managers to plan ahead and roster alternative options at WR. With Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring) still not practicing, and Jordan Watkins (ankle) out about a month, Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson currently are operating as the 49ers' clear top two wide receivers.

On Monday, coach Mike Vrabel didn't offer any specifics on why Diggs (knee) sat out Friday's preseason opener against the Commanders, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

In a game in which the Patriots played the bulk of their healthy starters, Diggs was present on the sideline but didn't suit up during warmups or on the bench. When asked if Diggs' inactivity Friday was health-related, Vrabel limited his response to "coach's decision." The veteran wideout, who is bouncing back from a torn ACL that he suffered last October, has been a full practice participant for most of the summer, though he did miss the first half of Wednesday's joint practice with Washington for unspecified reasons. On the topic of Diggs' recovery, wide receivers coach Todd Downing noted Monday, "I think where he's at in his process right now is where we want him to be," while adding, "I think he'll stay on the trajectory we expect him to be on." Though the signs continue to point toward Diggs being able to contribute early on this season, until he takes game reps, or the Patriots otherwise confirm his Week 1 status, nothing can be taken for granted.

Heath was targeted four times and caught one pass for four yards in Saturday's 30-10 exhibition loss to the Jets.

Heath played more snaps than any other Packers skill player, but he dropped a couple passes and fell on another pass thrown his direction, so he did not capitalize on the opportunity. Heath spent the last two seasons in Green Bay, but the team selected a couple wideouts in the draft and brought in veteran Mecole Hardman, so he is not assured of a roster spot.

Coach Andy Reid noted Monday that Brown (ankle/foot) is making "great progress" and has resumed running, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.

Per Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com, Reid indicated that Brown is not dealing with a high-ankle sprain, but even with the wideout's ankle/foot issue improving, there's still not a timetable for his return to action. Brown thus remains iffy for Friday's preseason contest against the Seahawks.

Hardman was targeted once and did not catch a pass in Saturday's 30-10 exhibition loss to the Jets. He also lost a fumble in the contest.

Hardman suited up for the first time since joining Green Bay over the offseason, and although he finished second among Packers wideouts in snaps, he did not make a mark on offense and both muffed a punt -- which led to the turnover -- and fair-caught a punt at the five-yard line in his returner role. Hardman has the most experience in a youthful wide receiver room, but he is competing for a roster spot, and Saturday's showing did not boost his chances of securing one.

Pierce (groin) is considered day-to-day, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Pierce suffered a groin injury during Sunday's practice, but Fowler notes that the wideout's issue doesn't appear serious. That said, Pierce's status for Saturday's preseason contest against the Packers now is uncertain.

Westbrook-Ikhine secured his only target for 35 yards during Sunday's 24-24 preseason tie against the Bears.

Westbrook-Ikhine, Malik Washington and Dee Eskridge started at wide receiver for the only drive Tua Tagovailoa and the starting offense played Sunday, with Tyreek Hill (oblique) and Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) both sidelined. It was Washington who most benefited from increased opportunities, though, as he touched the ball on five of his eight offensive snaps on the opening drive, while Westbrook-Ikhine's only catch -- an impressive gain -- came late in the first quarter after Zach Wilson had taken over under center. It appears Washington has an early lead over Westbrook-Ikhine as both wideouts compete for the No. 3 role behind Hill and Waddle.

Washington secured all four of his targets for 18 yards during Sunday's 24-24 preseason tie against the Bears. He also rushed once for six yards.

Washington kicked off Miami's preseason opener with the starting offense, though Tyreek Hill (oblique) and Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) both were held out with injuries, so it was Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Dee Eskridge who joined him in three-wide sets. Interestingly, though, Washington was tremendously involved on the lone drive he played, drawing targets on four of the five routes he ran while also taking a designed end-around for a short gain. The second-year pro appears to have an early lead on Westbrook-Ikhine in the competition for the No. 3 receiver role behind Hill and Waddle.

Renfrow (hamstring) is participating in Monday's padded practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Renfrow missed over a week of practice and Friday's preseason opener against the Browns due to a lingering hamstring injury, but the veteran wideout now appears to be ready to handle practice reps without restrictions. After having spent the 2024 season away from the NFL, Renfrow inked a one-year deal with Carolina in April and is competing for a slot role in the Panthers' wide receiver corps.

Bryant caught both of his targets for 21 yards in Saturday's 30-9 preseason win over the 49ers.

Bryant played 34 offensive snaps in the contest, the most of any Broncos wide receiver. The rookie's two grabs were both third-down conversions, helping to extend drives in the second quarter. Bryant currently sits behind fellow receivers Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin on the depth chart, with Sutton firmly entrenched as the top option in the passing game and Mims the early favorite for the No. 2 role. Bryant, Vele and Franklin should continue to compete for playing time as the 2025 campaign approaches. The 22-year-old Illinois product will have his next opportunity to earn a prominent role in Denver's offense when the Broncos host the Cardinals in Week 2 of the preseason.