NFL Player News

Turner was helped off the field after injuring his right foot during Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

Turner was unable to put any weight on his right foot while being assisted off the field, making it unlikely that he'll return to Saturday's contest. The veteran linebacker is competing for a depth spot on the Lions' 53-man roster.

McNichols took three carries for a loss of four yards in Saturday's 30-3 preseason loss to Baltimore.

He was the second running back to get a touch, with Chris Rodriguez starting while both Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt rested. It looks like the decision for cutdown day will be whether or not to keep McNichols as the fourth running back, as Rodriguez mostly worked ahead of him this preseason and took 17 carries for 118 yards. McNichols finishes with nine carries for 24 yards, showing a glimpse of why he's mostly viewed as a passing-down back. If he ends up on Washington's roster or practice squad, any shot at fantasy value will probably depend on Ekeler missing time (which would open up the passing-down role).

Rodriguez started Saturday's 30-3 preseason loss to Baltimore and took five carries for 34 yards.

All five carries came on the opening drive, after which Jeremy McNichols came on. Rodriguez played well again, after ripping off a 40-yard gain the week before, but it's perhaps not the best sign for his Week 1 role that he was playing at all (while both Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt were rested). There's been much speculation about the nature of Washington's likely backfield committee, with Brian Robinson recently traded to San Francisco after averaging 13.4 carries and 1.8 targets across 36.1 snaps in 14 regular-season games last year (958 total yards and eight TDs). Most of the fantasy interest centers on Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt, with Rodriguez potentially playing a spoiler role by handling some of the power running. Coach Dan Quinn was asked Thursday about Rodriguez handling short-yardage work and acknowledged the possibility, although Quinn also cautioned against assuming traditional backfield roles.

Sills is questionable to return to Saturday's preseason matchup against Cincinnati due to a shoulder injury, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Sills was hurt sometime during the first half. He's battling for a roster spot as a depth lineman for the coming campaign.

Strong left Saturday's preseason game against the Rams to be evaluated for a concussion.

The Browns played their healthy starters, with Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford sharing backfield work on the first two drives before Strong came on for the third series. If a concussion is confirmed, Strong will have 15 days to clear protocol before a Week 1 opener against Cincinnati on Sun., Sept. 7. He's unlikely to be any higher than third on the depth chart even if he makes it back quickly and fellow running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned.

Whiteheart has been ruled out for the rest of Saturday's game against the Rams due to a knee injury.

Whiteheart may have suffered the injury during the Browns' second offensive drive of the second quarter. He's gone to the locker room to undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, and he'll finish his day with one catch for 12 yards. Brenden Bates, Sal Cannella and Mitch Van Vooren should all see an uptick in playing time at tight end for the rest of Saturday's game due to Whiteheart's injury.

Pocic has been ruled out for the rest of Saturday's preseason game against the Rams due to a knee injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Pocic appeared to suffer an injury to his left knee during the Browns' second offensive drive of the first quarter. He was able to walk off the field under his own power and went to the locker room after being checked on by trainers on the sidelines, and he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury. Luke Wypler has taken over at center following Pocic's exit.

Smith (knee) returned to practice Saturday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Smith left practice early Aug. 5 and hasn't done much since then, but his return for the first practice after Pittsburgh's final preseason game suggests he's on track to play Week 1 against the Jets. Uncertainty about his role remains the larger concern for fantasy, with Pat Freiermuth offering tough competition for playing time in single-TE formations.

The Bills waived Owens (undisclosed) with an injury designation Saturday.

The nature and severity of Owens' injury isn't clear, but he will revert to injured reserve if he's not claimed off waivers by another team, which would force him to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Bills. Buffalo signed defensive back Garnett Hollis to the roster in a corresponding move.

Vele isn't dressed for Saturday's preseason game against Denver, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

He won't face his former team, presumably needing more time to learn a new playbook and otherwise get acclimated after the Saints traded for him Wednesday. Vele presumably is expected to be the team's No. 3 wide receiver at some point, considering the Saints traded a 2026 fourth-round pick and 2027 seventh-round selection to acquire him.