NFL Player News

The Texans waived Johnson (arm) with an injury designation Wednesday.

Johnson had his arm in a sling at practice Wednesday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. The 26-year-old Johnson has been in the Texans' organization for the last three years and spent the entirety of 2024 on the team's practice squad. Once he clears waivers, Johnson will revert to the Texans' injured reserve list.

Wilson (concussion) is participating in practice Wednesday while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Wilson is progressing through the NFL's concussion protocol, which he entered Friday after a collision with teammate Budda Baker. He'll need to gain full clearance before being eligible to appear in preseason action, making Wilson's status uncertain for Saturday's game against the Chiefs. Meanwhile, top wide receiver Marvin Harrison returned to practice Tuesday.

Jefferson (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

The Vikings continue to take a cautious approach with Jefferson as he recovers from the mild left hamstring strain that he sustained July 24. As recently as last Friday, though, he was spotted working out with trainers on a side field, indicating he at least has made some progress. Whether or not Jefferson makes an appearance in the preseason may be contingent on second-year QB J.J. McCarthy getting into another exhibition beyond this Saturday's matchup with the Texans. Ultimately, ensuring Jefferson is healthy by Week 1 is Minnesota's primary priority.

Rice (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Per Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com, Rice was present for Wednesday's session but worked with trainers off to the side. It remains to be seen, however, if the wideout will see any action in Saturday's preseason opener against the Cardinals. Beyond that, Nate Taylor of ESPN previously noted that Rice said that he hasn't been told by the NFL whether he'll be suspended (stemming from his role in a multi-car crash that occurred in Dallas during the 2024 offseason) at some point during the 2025 season.

Since returning from the PUP list, Hollins has logged some first-team reps, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

That said, Lazar notes that the Stefon Diggs/DeMario Douglas/Kayshon Boutte trio has been seeing a lot of reps of late, with Kyle Williams mixing in along with Hollins. At this stage, Diggs -- assuming his health -- and Douglas appear to be locked into key roles in a crowded Patriots wide receiver corps that also includes Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, with the competition for slotting beyond the aforementioned duo still wide open.

Boutte has been having a strong training camp, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site and Mike Reiss of ESPN report.

Lazar notes that based on recent practices, the Stefon Diggs/DeMario Douglas/Boutte trio has received a lot of reps, along with third-rounder Kyle Williams, with Mack Hollins also receiving some first-team reps since returning from the PUP list. While Diggs -- assuming his health -- and Douglas appear to be locked into key roles in the crowded Patriots wide receiver corps, Boutte remains in contention for a key role alongside that duo while competing with Williams and Hollins as well as Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

Cephus signed a deal with the Texans on Wednesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cephus spent all of last season on the Rams' practice squad but previously appeared in 22 games with the Lions, accounting for 37 receptions, 568 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons. The 27-year-old hasn't played in a game since 2022, but could be a depth piece for the Texans should he make the 53-man roster in a packed wide receiver room.

Jeudy and Cedric Tillman won't play in Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he wants to play some of his projected starters, but Jeudy, Tillman and QB Joe Flacco apparently will be kept on ice. There presumably will be others, including on the defensive side. All signs point to Flacco getting the Week 1 start at QB, which is promising for Jeudy's fantasy value relative to the alternatives.

Pearsall has impressed in recent practices and was a clear standout on offense Tuesday, connecting with quarterback Brock Purdy on five targets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.

Pearsall has been nearly uncoverable in recent training camp sessions, per Wagoner, with rookie cornerback Upton Stout named as one of the few players who's managed to challenge the second-year wideout. It's encouraging to see Pearsall already building momentum given that a hamstring injury forced him to begin camp on the active/PUP list and had sidelined him during mandatory minicamp. With Jauan Jennings (calf) currently unable to practice and Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) without a clear timetable to return, Pearsall is currently operating as the 49ers' top wide receiver, with Demarcus Robinson and rookie fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins behind him.

Hill is absent from Wednesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, Alain Poupart of SI.com reports.

It's the first report of any health trouble since Hill declared himself fully recovered from offseason wrist surgery at the start of training camp. He's played 15 or more regular-season games in eight of his nine professional seasons, including either 16 or 17 appearances each of the past four years.