NFL Player News

Jackson caught three of four targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 20-10 preseason win over the Texans.

With Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the first three games of the regular season, Jalen Nailor will line up as the Vikings' No. 2 receiver opposite Justin Jefferson (hamstring), creating a camp competition for the No. 3 job between Jackson and 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton. Felton has the draft pedigree in his favor, but Jackson may be emerging as the frontrunner nonetheless, and his performance Saturday was a notch better than Felton's 2-14-0 line on two targets. Jackson's only NFL experience to date consists of three games for Minnesota in 2023, when he mainly played special teams.

Addison (suspension) caught three of four targets for 33 yards in Saturday's 20-10 preseason win over the Texans.

The third-year wideout was the top downfield option for J.J. McCarthy on Minnesota's opening drive, before both players checked out of the contest. Addison is facing a three-game suspension to begin the regular season (he's allowed to play in the preseason), but the chemistry he's establishing with McCarthy now should serve him well when he's eligible to make his 2025 debut in Week 4 against the Steelers. Addison hauled in 63 passes for 875 yards and nine TDs over 15 regular-season contests last year, and similar production should be achievable if McCarthy holds his own in his first NFL campaign.

Metchie caught five of eight targets for 45 yards while adding 23 yards on one kickoff return in Saturday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Vikings.

With Nico Collins and Christian Kirk both held out of the lineup, Metchie got the start and made a quick impact, catching an 18-yard strike from Davis Mills in the first quarter to help set up the Texans' only touchdown of the day. Rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are the favorites to claim the No. 3 spot on the depth chart to open the regular season preseason while Tank Dell (knee) remains out with a knee injury, but if the youngsters don't seem ready, Metchie -- a one-time top prospect in his own right who was a second-round pick in 2022 -- might find himself in a bigger role than expected.

Noel caught both his targets for 16 yards in Saturday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Vikings.

The 2025 third-round pick slightly out-performed fellow rookie Jayden Higgins, although both young wideouts were overshadowed by veterans John Metchie (5-45-0 on eight targets) and Braxton Berrios (3-33-1 on three targets). Nico Collins and Christian Kirk should be C.J. Stroud's top two options when the regular season begins, but Higgins and Noel could be locked in a battle for the No. 3 spot straight through training camp and the preseason. Tank Dell (knee) currently has no timetable for a return.

Evans isn't playing in Saturday's preseason opener versus Tennessee, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Evans is healthy, but he's being held out Saturday along with fellow offensive regulars Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving, among others. It's not yet clear how much the team's regular-season starters will play during other preseason contests. Prized rookie Emeka Egbuka should get a good look at wideout Saturday, with both Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle) on the sideline.

Higgins caught both his targets for eight yards in Saturday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Vikings.

The 2025 second-round pick made minimal impact in his first NFL game action, catching two short passes from depth QB Kedon Slovis late in the second quarter. Higgins is expected to start for the Texans this season alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk in three-wide sets, but the rookie's usage Saturday suggests he still has to earn that assignment, as he took a back seat to veterans John Metchie (5-45-0 on eight targets) and Braxton Berrios (3-33-1 on three targets). Tank Dell (knee) currently has no timetable for a return.

Houston (groin) has been ruled out to return to Saturday's preseason context against the Titans, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Houston, who hasn't suited up for regular-season action since he appeared in two games with the Cowboys in 2022, has spent training camp competing for a depth role in Tampa Bay's crowded wide receiver corps. The severity of his groin injury remains uncertain, but Houston's next opportunity to appear in preseason action will come Aug. 16 against the Steelers, if healthy.

Brown (ankle) isn't playing in Saturday's preseason contest against the Cardinals, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Brown's absence from the game was expected, as he's dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice since July 29. Rashee Rice is also being held out of action Saturday as he deals with a minor groin injury. It's not yet clear if either wideout will play in next Friday's preseason clash against Seattle.

Rice (groin) isn't suiting up for Saturday's preseason matchup versus Arizona, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Rice was been dealing with a groin injury, though the issue has been described as minor by head coach Andy Reid. It's not surprising, however, that the star wideout won't play Saturday, as there's no reason for Kansas City to risk aggravating the issue in the first game of the preseason. Hollywood Brown (ankle) also isn't suiting up Saturday, so Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Travis Kelce should be the top pass-catching options for Patrick Mahomes, who's slated to see some action in the game.

Wicks (calf) isn't playing against the Jets in Green Bay's first preseason contest Saturday.

Wicks has been nursing a calf issue since late July and has been in and out of practice. As such, it's not surprising that he won't play Saturday, though there hasn't been any suggestion that the wideout's injury is a serious concern. Top wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot) is also sitting out Saturday's matchup, leaving rookie Matthew Golden and veteran Romeo Doubs as the top pass-catching options for Jordan Love, who is slated to see some action.