NFL Player News

Blair caught three of five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown during Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.

Through two preseason games, Blair has been a standout, securing six of nine targets for 132 yards and two scores. Despite the strong performances, Blair, along with Dylan Drummond and David Sills, isn't projected to make the initial 53-man roster, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site. However, if that's the case, they'd all be candidates to join Atlanta's practice squad.

Chark caught one of three passes for 11 yards during Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.

After not catching a pass across 10 offensive snaps in Atlanta's preseason opener, Chark delivered another quiet performance in Week 2. Not only is the veteran not part of the expected roster lock group who've spent the first two exhibitions in street clothes, but he's also been outperformed by practice-squad guys like Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond. Despite plenty of experience and an injury to Darnell Mooney (shoulder), Chark is currently on the outskirts of the Falcons' initial 53-man roster, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site.

Agnew did not play in Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.

Agnew has been in street clothes for each of Atlanta's first two exhibitions, along with fellow wideouts Drake London, Darnell Mooney (shoulder), Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge. Given Agnew has been part of that group, it's safe to assume the veteran will likely land a spot on the Falcons' initial 53-man roster. However, Agnew will probably be utilized more on special teams as a primary return man than on offense when everyone is healthy.

Slayton (undisclosed) played 10 snaps on offense but did not show up in the box score otherwise during the Giants' 31-12 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday.

Slayton had been working through an undisclosed injury that caused him to miss the Giants' preseason opener against the Bills, but the 2019 fifth-rounder progressed enough in his recovery to suit up Saturday. He's entering the final season of his two-year contract and is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign in which his 39 catches for 573 yards were his lowest output since 2021 (26 catches for 339 yards that year). The Giants' quarterback situation in 2024 was shaky, but the addition of Russell Wilson should help raise Slayton's floor this season.

Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury early in the second quarter of Saturday's 23-19 preseason win over the Colts and did not return, Tom Silverstein of USA Today reports.

Lloyd suffered the injury when he was tackled high and low by two defenders at the end of his 44-yard catch at the 13:26 mark in the second quarter. The 2024 third-rounder was able to walk off the field under his own power but ended up being held out for the rest of the game after consulting with trainers. Lower-body injuries have not been a stranger for Lloyd, who appeared in just one regular-season game in his rookie campaign due to two separate hamstring injuries and appendicitis. He also suffered a groin injury in late July that caused him to miss the Packers' preseason opener against the Jets. Lloyd's inability to stay on the field could have him lose out to Emanuel Wilson as the No. 2 running back behind Josh Jacobs. Lloyd's practice participation over the coming week will indicate his chances of playing in Green Bay's preseason finale against Seattle on Saturday.

Smith caught all five targets for a team-high 46 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Carolina.

Smith wasn't in the starting lineup, and none of his activity came during the first quarter, when Houston's offensive stars were primarily involved. Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover opened the game at tight end, before Smith showed off his hands. That he was featured heavily in the second and third quarters was a direct result of two significant injuries that cropped up during the week of preparation for Saturday's contest. Both Brevin Jordan (knee) and Dalton Keene (leg) sustained season-ending injuries, which benefitted Smith. A once promising tight end early in his career with the Vikings, Smith is poised to be third on the depth chart for a newly constructed offense that is expected to use multiple tight end sets.

Golden didn't play in Saturday's 23-19 preseason win over the Colts.

Though Golden wasn't one of the 29 Packers listed as not suiting up ahead of the game, the rookie wideout didn't log any snaps against the Colts. Golden's next chance to see game action will occur in this coming Saturday's preseason finale against the Seahawks, but it remains to be seen whether or not Green Bay plans to rest key players in the contest.

Kirk caught both of his targets for 13 yards in Saturday's preseason win over the Panthers.

Like No. 1 wideout Nico Collins and starting quarterback C.J. Stroud, Kirk made his preseason debut and played the first two series before calling it a day. Kirk, who was acquired from the Jaguars during the offseason and is locked in as the No. 2 wide receiver, hooked up with Stroud on each possession in what was a successful performance by the first-team offense, working in conjunction with new offensive coordinator and play caller Nick Caley.

Hopkins converted his lone field-goal attempt in Saturday's preseason win over the Eagles.

Hopkins booted a 46-yarder in the second quarter and has made both of his FGAs in the first two preseason games. He's also made 2-of-3 extra-point kicks, although the miss came on a bad snap. Hopkins is looking to rebound from a down year in 2024, when he made just 67 percent of his field-goal attempts and 85 percent of extra-point tries. That performance prompted the Browns to bring in Andre Szmyt, who converted two field goals and an extra point Saturday, to push Hopkins during training camp.

Szmyt converted both of his field-goal attempts and an extra-point kick in Saturday's 22-13 preseason win over Philadelphia.

Szmyt showed off his leg with a 49-yarder in the second quarter and later was successful on a 33-yarder. He's in camp along with Dustin Hopkins, who nailed a 46-yarder earlier in the game. Hopkins is expected to open the regular season as Cleveland's placekicker, but he's coming off a 2024 season in which he made just 18-of-27 field-goal attempts. Hence, the decision to bring in Szmyt as competition.