NFL Player News

Johnson failed to catch either of his targets during Friday's 30-10 preseason win over the Panthers.

The veteran wideout got the start but wasn't on the field for long and failed to connect with Shedeur Sanders during the Browns' first two drives of the night. Johnson's main competition for the No. 3 receiver role, Jamari Thrash, also only saw two targets but showed more chemistry with Sanders by hauling both of them in, albeit for only nine yards. Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman are locked into the top two spots on the wideout depth chart, and the 29-year-old Johnson is coming off an awful 2024 campaign which saw him bounce through three different organizations without making much impact. He'll need to do more with his opportunities if he's going to get his career back on track.

McCaffrey left Friday's 48-18 preseason loss against the Patriots due to an illness, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

McCaffrey tried to play through the illness and caught his only target for minus-1 yard but ultimately couldn't keep going. The Commanders' next exhibition game isn't until Monday, Aug. 18 against the Bengals, so McCaffrey will have additional time to recover. The 2024 third-rounder is battling for a bigger role in Washington's offense after finishing his rookie season with 18 catches (on 24 targets) for 168 yards across 17 regular-season games.

Williams didn't catch any of his four targets in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders.

None of Williams' targets came from starting quarterback Drake Maye, as the rookie third-round pick is still stuck in a depth role at this point. Williams will try to bounce back in the Patriots' second preseason game, Aug. 16 against the Vikings.

TeSlaa had two receptions on three targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason game in Atlanta.

TeSlaa followed up a strong preseason debut (2-46-0) with his first touchdown grab as a member of the Lions. The third-round rookie has built a good rapport with backup QB Kyle Allen through two exhibitions, with the duo producing 57 yards and a touchdown in less than four combined quarters of action so far. TeSlaa's size (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect in a crowded Detroit receiver room. The rookie will look to continue impressing his coaching staff when the Lions host the Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Larvadain is being evaluated for an apparent lower-body injury during Friday's preseason game against the Panthers, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Larvadain recorded two catches for 23 yards before being forced to the sidelines. There is little known about the potential injury at this point.

Polk went to the locker room during Friday's preseason game against the Commanders after injuring his arm/shoulder and did not return, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Polk appeared to suffer the injury on a running play late in the second quarter and was taken to the locker room after being attended to in the blue medical tent. Polk did not return to Friday's game, and further tests will determine the severity of the injury and his ability to practice ahead of the Patriots' second preseason game against the Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Floriea left Friday's preseason game with the Panthers due to a hamstring injury, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Floriea made a nice one-handed catch in the second quarter down the right sideline, but he appeared to suffer the injury on that play. The Browns also used him as a returner for both punts and kickoffs. Nothing is settled in the receiving corps beyond the top two, and the next few weeks are critical for Floriea's bid for a roster spot. Any missed time will be detrimental.

Olave did not participate in Friday's training camp practice after injuring his ankle during Thursday's session, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Olave was able to finish Thursday's practice after getting his ankle taped, and the injury is considered day-to-day, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. It could prevent Olave from playing in Sunday's preseason game against the Chargers, which would open the door for Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson to work with Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks in three-wideout sets.

Diggs (knee) wasn't spotted in uniform during warmups ahead of Friday's preseason opener against the Commanders, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald and Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site report.

The same applies to fellow WR Kendrick Bourne, who is managing a lower leg injury. While Diggs has reportedly looked sharp in training camp practices, he is bouncing back from an ACL tear he suffered Week 8 of last season, so it's not surprising that the Patriots are erring on the side of caution here. The veteran wideout's next chance to see game action will arrive Aug. 16 against the Vikings.

Bourne (lower leg) is not participating in warmups and will not play in Friday's preseason opener against the Commanders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Bourne suffered a lower leg injury during last Friday's intrasquad scrimmage and hasn't practiced since. He'll look to get himself back on the practice field and be available for the Patriots' second exhibition game against the Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 16. The absences of Bourne and Stefon Diggs (knee) gives the likes of Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Efton Chism more opportunities to get snaps with the offense during Friday's contest.