NFL Player News

Hurst failed to bring in his only target in the Buccaneers' 16-15 preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday.

The rookie wideout once again drew the start due to the plethora of injuries at the wide receiver position for the Buccaneers. However, unlike his two-catch pro debut against the Jets, Hurst was unable to crack the stat sheet Saturday. Assuming all of Emeka Egbuka (toe), Jalen McMillan (knee) and Tez Johnson (groin) are available for a Week 1 road matchup against the Bengals, Hurst won't be guaranteed active status on gameday; however, any absences on the part of the trio would change the equation.

Johnson rushed seven times for 25 yards and a touchdown and brought in one of two targets for 10 yards in the Chiefs' 16-15 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also returned two kickoffs for 51 yards.

The rookie fifth-round pick was the third Chiefs running back to get a touch behind veterans Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado. The highlight of Johnson's night came late in the third quarter, when he recorded a one-yard touchdown run after getting the ball to the Buccaneers' three-yard line two plays earlier with a four-yard rush. Johnson was outgained on the ground by his primary competition for a depth role behind Walker and Demercado -- Brashard Smith, who had 37 rushing yards. Both hopefuls are likely to see extended playing time again in Friday's home preseason finale against the Seahawks.

Nussmeier completed nine of 17 passes for 74 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Chiefs' 16-15 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday.

For the second time in as many preseason games, the rookie seventh-round pick followed starter Justin Fields into the contest. Nussmeier once again mostly kept his throws close to the line of scrimmage while averaging just 4.4 yards per attempt, but he did lead the Chiefs to a field goal on a 13-play drive during his first possession beginning just past the midway point of the second quarter. Nussmeier is likely to see plenty of action and potentially even draw a starting assignment in Friday's home preseason finale against the Seahawks.

Fields completed nine of 12 passes for 64 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed once for 15 yards in the Chiefs' 16-15 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Kansas City.

Fields drew the start due to Patrick Mahomes being inactive and got his night off to a sluggish start, moving the Chiefs just 30 yards on 12 plays over the first three drives. However, the veteran signal-caller found his rhythm in the second quarter, when he led Kansas City to a field goal via an 11-play, 43-yard march on what turned out to be his final possession. Fields is set to operate as the No. 2 quarterback come the regular season, serving as a highly mobile and experienced emergency option should injury befall Mahomes again.

Braswell (undisclosed) did not play in the Buccaneers' 16-15 preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

The nature of Braswell's injury is unclear, as is when he picked up the injury. The 2024 second-rounder is battling for a depth spot on the Bucs' 53-man roster, and he would help his case if he could play in Friday's preseason finale against the Jaguars.

The 49ers waived/injured Thomas (undisclosed) on Saturday.

The nature and severity of Thomas' injury is not clear. However, he will revert to the 49ers' injured reserve if he clears waivers, forcing him to miss the entire 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with San Francisco.

Simpkins has entered the league's concussion protocol following the Saints' 34-0 loss to the Rams in Saturday's preseason game, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Simpkins will have to make his way through the league's five-step protocol -- with the last step being an evaluation and clearance by an independent neurologist -- in order to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys. Simpkins appeared in 15 regular-season games (two starts) for the Saints as an undrafted rookie last year.

Morton completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing once for minus-1 yard in the Patriots' 24-21 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday.

The 2026 seventh-round pick followed Tommy DeVito into the game and finished out the Patriots victory by throwing a game-winning 37-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro. Given DeVito's experience edge, Morton projects to serve as an emergency third quarterback throughout the 2026 season barring injuries to the former or Drake Maye, but Morton could play close to the full game in the preseason finale on the road against the Browns on Thursday.

Styles sustained a calf injury during the Saints' 34-0 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Styles will undergo tests over the next couple of days to determine the severity of his calf injury, which could prevent the rookie fifth-rounder from playing in Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys. He finished Saturday's game with six tackles (four solo) and one pass defense.

Walker recorded two catches on three targets for 32 yards during the Ravens' 13-3 preseason win over the Vikings on Saturday.

Walker's second catch of the game went for 27 yards in the third quarter and was part of the Ravens' nine-play, 63-yard drive that ended in an eight-yard touchdown pass from Joe Fagnano to LaJohntay Wester. Walker has logged five catches on six targets for 63 yards through two preseason games, and the 2024 fourth-rounder is competing against rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt for the WR3 role behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. The Ravens will wrap up the preseason Friday against the Commanders.