NFL Player News

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.

Stroud and most other projected starters won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Detroit, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The list of rested players also includes RB Nick Chubb, WRs Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, and TEs Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover. They'll soon turn their attention to a Week 1 road matchup with the Rams, a team with impressive pass rushers but major questions marks in the secondary. Stroud is looking to bounce back from a sophomore slump, with the help of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley and a remade WR corps (after Collins).

Chubb won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Lions, which could suggest he's on track for a Week 1 start versus the Rams, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale are suited up for Saturday's exhibition. Assuming there's not an unreported injury at play, this is a good sign for Chubb's Week 1 role projection in the event Joe Mixon (foot) is absent or limited. Chubb made one appearance this preseason, playing with the first-string offense last week and taking five carries for 25 yards (plus one catch for four yards). Pierce, meanwhile, is set for his first appearance of the preseason after missing some time with a quadriceps injury.

Wade is questionable to return to Saturday's preseason game against the Commanders due to a shoulder injury, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Wade appeared to favor his right shoulder after taking a hit from Antonio Hamilton during the former's 15-yard catch on the first play of the second quarter. Wade will be monitored by trainers on the sidelines to determine the severity of the injury and whether he can return to Saturday's exhibition contest.

McLaurin (contract) won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin would be rested for the game even if he'd been active in training camp (rather than sitting out due to an ankle injury and contract dispute). The Commanders cleared him from a health standpoint Aug. 16, removing McLaurin from the PUP list, but it's unclear if he'll start practicing soon and where he stands with his prior trade request. He was present at practice Thursday, but merely as an observer in a hoodie. While he'll presumably need time to ramp up before playing, the larger concern right now is that McLaurin might consider skipping games due to displeasure with his contract. His trade request was widely seen as a sign of frustration, or a negotiating tactic, with reports suggesting the Commanders have no desire to trade him and McLaurin still prefers to stay in Washington (if he can get a contract he's happy with). It's incredibly rare nowadays for a player under contract to skip games, but that's something that needs to be considered at this point, if only as a fringe possibility.

Ertz won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Ertz and John Bates are both being rested -- in Ertz's case for a third straight week -- while 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott isn't among the 33 names being held out. It's the latest sign that Sinnott has made no real progress toward usurping Ertz, although there's perhaps still some risk it eventually happens. In any case, Ertz gets a solid target projection for Week 1 against the Giants, putting him in play as a lineup option even though he was drafted as a backup (or not at all) in most fantasy leagues. The uncertainty surrounding Terry McLaurin (contract) and Noah Brown (undisclosed injury) could further boost Ertz's volume outlook as the opener draws near, with the wideouts potentially having workload limitations even if they both end up playing (following prolonged absences this summer).

Ekeler won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Ekeler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt are the two running backs on Washington's list of players that won't participate. It's a sign they'll share work come Week 1 against the Giants, although there's also talk of Chris Rodriguez having a role, which might include short-yardage carries. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick Friday, showing confidence in some combination of Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols to form a committee. Ekeler's receiving skills make his role the most secure, although he's on the downside of his career and has fumbled 18 times (including playoffs) in 63 games over the past four season.

Lane won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

With no injury reported, it's a sign that the Commanders are more interested in keeping Lane healthy than evaluating him further. The rookie fourth-round pick caught three of seven targets for 42 yards this preseason, and while he probably won't be an immediate starter, the uncertainty surrounding Terry McLaurin (contract) and Noah Brown (undisclosed) could free up snaps for Lane in Week 1 against the Giants. Lane may also get work on special teams, considering he had two return TDs in college and then ran a 4.34 40 at the 2025 NFL Combine.