NFL Player News

Coach Aaron Glenn noted Monday that Lazard (shoulder) is on track to be available for Week 1 action, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Lazard, who sustained a shoulder injury in the Jets' Aug. 9 preseason opener, still could appear on the team's first official injury report ahead of Week 1, but barring any setbacks the veteran pass catcher appears to be in line to be available versus the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 7. Beyond the fact that Garrett Wilson is New York's clear-cut top wideout, slotting behind him is up for grabs, with Lazard, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson and Arian Smith currently in the mix for WR targets that don't go Wilson's way.

Coach Aaron Glenn said Monday that Davis (ankle) is expected to be available for Week 1 against the Steelers on Sept. 7, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Davis didn't play in either of the Jets' final two preseason contests, but it sounds like he's turned a corner in his recovery. The second-year back played 13 snaps in the exhibition opener, rushing six times for 14 yards. He also caught one pass for 11 yards. Davis is expected to open the season as the Jets' RB3 behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen.

Coach Aaron Glenn said Monday that Gardner (calf) is on track to play Week 1 against the Steelers on Sept. 7, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Gardner has missed some time with a calf issue this month, but he returned to practice last week. The soon-to-be 25-year-old (Aug. 31) is hoping to return to his All-Pro form after landing a massive extension from the Jets this summer. Gardner won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and was named a first-team All-Pro each of his first two seasons before his play slipped some in 2024.

The Dolphins released Brown on Monday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 31-year-old veteran tight end signed with Miami back in March but didn't show enough this summer to land a 53-man roster spot. Brown appeared in 15 regular-season games with Seattle last season, making seven starts, and finished with eight catches for 65 yards. He's mainly a blocker.

The Saints waived Green on Monday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Green signed with New Orleans earlier this month and caught two passes for 11 yards during the preseason. He's never appeared in a regular-season game since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Houston.

McLaurin and the Commanders agreed to terms Monday on a three-year contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McLaurin officially came off the active/PUP list Aug. 16, but he'd been sitting out practice and preseason action until such time as an agreement was finally reached on a new contract. The soon-to-be 30-year-old wideout officially will end his hold-in and suit up for on-field practices with Washington, with just under two weeks to go before the team's regular-season opener against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 7. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, McLaurin's new deal is a three-year, $96 million extension. Fantasy managers may still have trouble shaking lingering concerns about McLaurin having missed all of training camp and the preseason, but he remains solidified as Jayden Daniels' clear No. 1 wideout in a passing game that appears primed to take another step forward with the star signal-caller entering Year 2 and Deebo Samuel upgrading the No. 2 receiver role.

New Orleans released Akers on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Akers was a solid contributor in 2024, rushing 104 times for 444 yards (4.3 YPC) and two scores across 17 regular-season games split between the Vikings and Texans. He also demonstrated impressive red-zone versatility, securing 14 of 18 targets for 68 yards and three additional touchdowns. The veteran running back couldn't carve out a spot on the Saints' 53-man roster behind Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal, but Akers figures to draw interest around the league from teams in need of reliable backfield depth.

The Bears waived Wilson on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wilson is headed into his third season in the NFL after originally signing with the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan in 2023. He's yet to appear in a regular-season NFL contest.

The Dolphins cut Shampklin on Monday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Shampklin signed with the Dolphins earlier this month but was mere backfield depth, as Miami navigated injuries to De'Von Achane (calf) and Jaylen Wright (leg) to close out the preseason. Shampklin rushed six times for 46 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards during the preseason.

Coach Brian Callahan said over the weekend that Ridley (soreness) is on pace to be ready for Week 1 against the Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 7, Nick Suss of The Tennessean reports.

Ridley has missed practice time during training camp with what the Titans have termed as "general soreness," but it doesn't sound like his availability for the start of the regular season is in question. He played 11 offensive snaps in the Titans' preseason opener and caught all three of his targets for 50 yards. He's expected to command the lion's share of the targets in Tennessee's passing game this season.