NFL Player News

Johnson (lower leg) didn't practice Monday, Ryan Miller of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

Per the report, Johnson, who hasn't practiced since Aug. 8, was on the field before Saturday's preseason game against the Browns wearing a sleeve on his right leg. At this stage, he doesn't seem likely to suit up for the Bills' exhibition finale, but when he is able able to return to the field, Johnson will have a chance to re-enter the equation in a Buffalo backfield led by James Cook that also includes Ray Davis.

Nabers (knee) wasn't wearing a non-contact red jersey at Monday's practice, Perry Sook of WPIX reports.

Nabers has been taking part in team drills for a little more than one week, but he was wearing the red jersey until Monday's development. This doesn't mean he's been cleared for all activity, but he now is closing in on the final stages of his recovery from the torn ACL that he suffered in his right knee Week 4 of last season. All signs are pointing toward Nabers being available Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Cowboys.

The Raiders released Brown on Monday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Brown had been competing for a depth role in the Raiders' WR corps but now will look to do so elsewhere. In four games with the Commanders during the 2025 regular season, Brown notched just five catches (on 10 targets) for 83 yards, but the season before that the 30-year-old logged 35 catches in 11 games with Washington. In the right situation, Brown can help a team in need of wideout help, but unless he secures a steady role in that context, he'll be off the fantasy radar.

The Patriots traded Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick Monday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.

With the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to New England's receiving corps this offseason, a player like Boutte may have felt the roster crunch with cut-down day less than one week away. Now with Houston, Boutte joins a position group that has lost Jayden Higgins for the season due to a torn ACL and also includes the banged-up Jaylin Noel (hamstring) and Tank Dell (knee). As a result, Boutte has a chance to make an impact early on this season.

Coach Aaron Gleen said Monday that the Jets are targeting Week 1 for Sadiq (hernia) to return to action, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Sadiq underwent hernia surgery during the offseason program and then had a setback in his recovery early on at training camp. The extent of his activity in the meantime has been work on a side field, so individual and then team drills will be the next steps for the rookie first-round pick. Once Sadiq is healthy, he and 2025 second-rounder Mason Taylor will serve as the Jets' top TE duo.

Coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Croskey-Merritt (lower body) will work on the side with the Commanders' training staff this week, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Per Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Croskey-Merritt pulled up at the end of a catch and run at Thursday's practice, which kept him sidelined for Saturday's preseason game in Detroit. Quinn relayed to Keim that Croskey-Merritt is tending to a lower-body injury and likely will return to practice next week. Meanwhile, fellow RB Rachaad White (hamstring) will be back on the practice field Monday as a limited participant.

Coach Dan Quinn said White (hamstring) will participate in individual drills at Monday's practice, Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C. reports.

White has been sidelined since last Wednesday due to a hamstring injury and didn't suit up for Saturday's preseason game at Detroit. Now that he's back in the mix at practice, he can continue staking a claim to a Commanders backfield that currently is without top incumbent Jacory Croskey-Merritt (lower body).

Wicks stood out with his route running during the Eagles' joint practices with the Patriots last Wednesday and Thursday, Cayden Steele of NJ.com reports.

Though he was generally impressive in both practices, Wicks turned in one highlight-reel-worthy rep during Thursday's session, when he easily shook 1-on-1 coverage from New England cornerback Carlton Davis at the line of scrimmage for what would have been a big gain, per Henry McKenna of FoxSports.com. Acquired from the Packers in April and immediately signed to a one-year, $12.5 million extension, Wicks has been repping with the first-team offense for most of his first camp with the Eagles while No. 1 wideout DeVonta Smith and rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon have been slowed by hamstring injuries. Both Smith and Lemon are practicing again, but the time Lemon has missed along with his own strong performance could set the stage for Wicks to head into the regular season as the Eagles' No. 2 wideout.

Both Tua Tagovailoa and Penix (knee) will take reps with the first-team offense Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Monday's session will mark Penix's first work in full-team drills this summer, a significant milestone for the QB as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in his left knee Week 11 of last season. At this stage, it's unclear if Penix will play in Friday's preseason finale against the Dolphins, but the 2024 first-rounder's ability to commence working in full drills gives him an opportunity to make some strides in the team's QB competition ahead of Week 1.

Nacua (groin) isn't practicing Monday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Nacua now is ticking toward two weeks off the practice field due to soreness in his psoas, but he was able to work with a member of the Rams' training staff on a side field Monday, indicating he's making some progress. In the end, the team likely is being as cautious as possible with Nacua with a Week 1 matchup with the 49ers in mind.