NFL Player News

Renfrow (hamstring) is not expected to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Browns, Joe Person of The Athletic rpeorts.

Renfrow is working through a hamstring injury and hasn't practiced since late July, but there's optimism that the veteran wideout will be available for the Panthers' second preseason game against the Texans on Saturday, Aug. 16. Renfrow's absence opens the door for wideouts further down the depth chart to get more reps on offense, including David Moore, Jimmy Horn and Brycen Tremayne. Renfrow signed a one-year contract with the Panthers in April after taking a season off in 2024.

The 49ers placed St. Brown on injured reserve Friday due to a foot injury, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

St. Brown injured his foot during Thursday's training camp practice, just two days after signing with the team after Andy Isabella (ankle) was let go, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. By being placed on IR, St. Brown will be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with San Francisco.

McConkey (undisclosed) is taking part in the team walkthrough Friday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

McConkey is in uniform for team activities for the first time since July 28. The coaching staff has consistently described McConkey's injury as minor, but it isn't yet clear if he has regained clearance for full practice participation, though his presence Friday is certainly a step in the right direction. The Chargers' next preseason game is Sunday against the Saints.

Austin (undisclosed) is not slated to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.

Austin has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, but with the Steelers planning to rest numerous starters Saturday, the wideout may not have played anyway. When available, Austin profiles as the team's No. 2 WR behind top option, DK Metcalf.

Cooks (shoulder) will have an MRI on Friday after getting hurt in Thursday's 34-27 preseason win over the Bengals, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Cooks was carted to the locker room after sustaining the shoulder injury Thursday. The results of the MRI will help determine Cooks' return timetable, but even a relatively short absence would decrease Cooks' already slim chances of making the 53-man roster.

Thornton caught one of three targets for 17 yards in Thursday's 23-23 preseason tie against the Seahawks.

Thornton drew the start at wide receiver in 11-personnel next to Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, notably playing ahead of fellow rookie Jack Bech on the outside. However, Thornton was unable to haul in two of his three targets, and the fourth-round Tennessee product was penalized on an offensive offside as well. Nonetheless, Thornton's involvement with the first-team unit bodes well for his viability as a late-round dart throw in deeper leagues and best ball formats, especially given his 4.30 40-yard dash speed on a 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame.

Bech caught one of two targets for five yards in Thursday's 23-23 preseason tie against the Seahawks.

Despite being selected 58th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Bech was rumored to be facing an uphill battle for the No. 2 role at wide receiver throughout the early stages of training camp, and Thursday's preseason opener confirmed that suspicion considering Tre Tucker and fellow rookie Dont'e Thornton drew the start next to Jakobi Meyers in 11-personnel. The speed of Tucker and Thornton allow them to play on the boundary, while Bech's skill set and preferred route tree is a bit redundant with those of Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers. Therefore, playing time could be limited for the second-round TCU product early in 2025.

Tucker caught his only target for 15 yards in Thursday's 23-23 preseason tie against the Seahawks.

Tucker was targeted by quarterback Geno Smith on the first play from scrimmage, but shortly thereafter, the pair was included among the starters that were pulled following the Raiders' opening drive. It was a promising sign for Tucker, who appears favored to earn the No. 2 role at wide receiver next to Jakobi Meyers, notably landing ahead of both rookies Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech in the current pecking order. Tucker paced this position group in offensive snaps for Las Vegas last season, though it resulted in a pedestrian 47-539-3 receiving line on 81 total targets.

Hill is dealing with an oblique injury, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill, who was absent from Wednesday's session, was present Friday (as he was Thursday), but not in pads. With that in mind, it doesn't seem likely that the wideout will play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Bears.

Cooper caught six of seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 34-27 preseason win over Cincinnati.

He got his first target on Philadelphia's second drive and his final look at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter, getting extensive playing time with second-string quarterback Tanner McKee on a night when the Eagles rested most of their starters. Cooper is an undrafted rookie out of FCS Tarleton State, where he had 1,450 receiving yards and 14 TDs last season. He then ran a 4.49 40 at his pro day, which is a solid time relative to his dense build (listed at 5-foot-11, 213 pounds). Cooper is now making his case for a depth job in Philadelphia, where No. 3 receiver Jahan Dotson appears vulnerable to a challenge.