NFL Player News

Higgins and other key Bengals players aren't scheduled to play in Saturday's preseason finale against Indianapolis, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The starters got run in the first two preseason games, with Joe Burrow leading Cincinnati to four touchdowns on five drives. Higgins didn't play quite as much as his quarterback, and he finished the preseason with just one incomplete target. The important thing is that Higgins stayed healthy throughout the offseason program and training camp after missing a handful of games each of the past two seasons. The Bengals will open their 2025 campaign with a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Cleveland on Sun., Sept. 7.

Burrow and other starters aren't scheduled to play in Saturday's preseason game against Indianapolis, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Burrow played in the first two preseason game, leading Cincinnati's offense to four touchdowns (including three TD passes) on five drives. He'll play at Cleveland in Week 1, mostly surrounded by the same supporting cast as last season, plus TE Noah Fant and two new guards (Dylan Fairchild, Lucas Patrick) that are competing for starting jobs. The Bengals appear shootout-prone again, with minimal offseason upgrades on defense and star DE Trey Hendrickson (contract) missing all of training camp.

Achane (calf) didn't practice Wednesday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Louis-Jacques previously relayed that Achane wasn't likely to practice this week, so we wouldn't expect the running back to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Jaguars. That said, coach Mike McDaniel indicated that the team's approach in terms of Achane's practice participation this week is "preventative in nature," with Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network having previously noted that the plan is for Miami's lead back to be available for the team's Sept. 7 regular-season opener against the Colts.

Robinson is not practicing Wednesday, and his absence is excused, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

Robinson also sat out Monday's preseason loss to the Bengals, a mutual decision between himself and Washington. Head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday he hopes for a resolution soon, but Robinson's absence lends further credence to the building rumors that he's been placed on the trade block. Now on the final year of his year of his rookie deal, Robinson is set out to play the 2025 season with a $3.4 million salary, though he carries under $300,000 in dead cap. As a proven between-the-tackles contributor who averaged 4.1 yards per carry over the last three seasons, Robinson figures to draw at least modest interest around the league from teams in need of a competent big-bodied ballcarrier.

Bagent agreed to terms Wednesday on a two-year, $10 million contract extension with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Bagent has clearly impressed new head coach Ben Johnson throughout training camp and the preseason, and the commitment of a new two-year contract is a concrete indication that he's beaten out Case Keenum (leg) for the No. 2 quarterback role behind Caleb Williams. Across two preseason appearances thus far, Bagent has completed 26 of 41 pass attempts for 299 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His final chance to log exhibition reps before Week 1 will come Friday on the road against Kansas City.

Bonitto (foot) participated in Tuesday's training camp practice, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Bonitto had a bone spur removed from his foot last week, ultimately forcing him to miss last week's practices and be sidelined for Denver's second preseason game against the Cardinals. Tuesday's practice marked his first time back with the team following the procedure. The 25-year-old is currently in negotiations with the Broncos for a contract extension. According to Kosmider, Bonitto said Tuesday there "has been good communication on both sides." Following up a season in which he posted a career high 13.5 sacks, the veteran linebacker should continue to be a key piece of a formidable defense in 2025.

Williams (undisclosed), who has missed the Patriots' last two practices, isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The same applies to fellow WRs Efton Chism (foot/ankle), Kendrick Bourne (leg), Ja'Lynn Polk (arm/shoulder) and Javon Baker. Of the group, Williams' roster standing is the most secure, but it remains to be seen how much volume the 2025 third-rounder sees early on this season, with Stefon Diggs (knee), DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins also in the mix for targets.

Chism (foot/ankle), who has missed the Patriots' last two practices, isn't likely to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

For now, the Patriots wideout corps remains crowded, but Chism's strong training camp/preseason has put him in decent position to secure a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster, provided his injury issue doesn't linger. In his two preseason appearances, Chism has caught 12 passes for 121 yards and two TDs.

Hill (oblique) is not practicing Wednesday, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports.

Hill has been on and off the practice field due to a lingering oblique injury since early August, though he's been sidelined the majority of the time. Kelly now speculates that the veteran wideout could sit out practice until the start of the regular season in order to prioritize getting back to full health in time for Week 1 against the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 7. Overall, Miami's pass-catching corps has been trending in the right direction, with Jaylen Waddle back at practice and TE Darren Waller (undisclosed) having come off the active/PUP list Wednesday, though RB De'Von Achane (calf) seems to be facing a similar recovery timetable to Hill. Expect Hill to sit out Saturday's preseason finale against the Jaguars.

Brown (undisclosed) remains absent from practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Brown initially was injured during June minicamp, and while he returned for the start of training camp as a limited participant, he either never made it back to full participation or was quickly sidelined again. Whatever the case, he hasn't played this preseason and seems uncertain for Week 1, which is especially concerning for a Commanders offense that also has Terry McLaurin (contract) absent from practice. Brown was viewed as at least a slight favorite for the No. 3 WR role earlier this offseason, potentially facing competition from Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup. It's unclear at this point who besides Deebo Samuel will take WR snaps come Week 1.