NFL Player News

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Jefferson (hamstring) is "definitely progressing" but won't be re-evaluated to potentially practice until next week, ruling him out for Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Minnesota continues to take a cautious approach to the star wide receiver's recovery from a hamstring injury, but O'Connell said the hope is for Jefferson to begin ramping up his workload next week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. He'll be limited to walk-throughs during joint practices with New England, for the time being. It remains to be seen whether Jefferson could have a chance to suit up for the Vikings' preseason finale against Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 22. With Jordan Addison (suspension) out the first three games of the regular season, it's increasingly crucial for J.J. McCarthy and company that Jefferson is available Week 1.

Coach Mike Vrabel noted Wednesday that the unspecified injury Stevenson is dealing with is not considered significant, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

The report adds that Vrabel doesn't anticipate a long-term absence for Stevenson, but at this stage the running back appears to be trending toward missing Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings. When healthy, Stevenson and promising rookie TreVeyon Henderson are projected to form a 1-2 punch this season in a New England backfield that also includes Antonio Gibson.

Robinson (undisclosed) was carted off the field during Wednesday's joint practice with the Lions, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

The severity of Robinson's injury is still unknown. However, the team will be without a major piece of its front seven should the 22-year-old miss extended time. Miami's 2024 first-round pick made an immediate impact on defense last season, accounting for 26 tackles (16 solo), including six sacks, with starters Jaelan Phillips (knee) and Bradley Chubb (knee) missing a majority of the team's regular-season games.

Marshall (knee) participated in practice Wednesday, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Marshall was sidelined for a couple of weeks before returning to practice in a limited fashion Saturday. The 25-year-old did not play in Philadelphia's preseason opener and should be able to suit up this Saturday as he tries to fight for a job in a wide receiver room that has some openings aside from the duo of DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. He joined the Eagles on a one-year, $1.195 million contract in April after appearing in seven games for Carolina last season.

Pickett (hamstring) participated in 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, but he remains absent from 11-on-11s, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Pickett continues to manage a hamstring injury sustained July 26, and which at this stage has caused him to miss a majority of training camp reps, as well as Cleveland's preseason opener against the Panthers last Friday. Meanwhile, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports that Joe Flacco has entrenched himself as the clear favorite to open Week 1 as Cleveland's starting quarterback, while Dillon Gabriel has returned to practice after nursing a hamstring issue of his own, and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) exited Wednesday's session due to injury. Saturday's preseason reps against Philadelphia figure to be split between a combination of Gabriel, Sanders and Pickett, with much depending on the health of the latter two players.

Henry (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

That said, Reiss notes that Henry -- who also missed Monday's session -- could return to practice as soon as Thursday. If that's the case, and the tight end is able to work fully in that scenario, he could be available for Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings.

Stevenson (undisclosed) won't practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, coach Mike Vrabel noted Wednesday that Stevenson is dealing with an (unspecified) injury that he sustained in this past Friday's preseason contest against the Commanders. As a result, the running back's status for Saturday's game against the Vikings is cloudy.

Gardner (calf) sat out practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Gardner is suffering from calf soreness and will have tests done, head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters. The 2022 fourth overall pick became the highest paid cornerback in July, and it is likely the Jets are being cautious with the leader of their secondary. He appeared in the first quarter of last Saturday's preseason opener in Green Bay, and his status is up in the air for this week's game against the Giants.

Hyatt (undisclosed) is practicing on a side field Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Hyatt was held out of Saturday's preseason win over Buffalo despite taking part in each of the Giants' previous six practices, per Dan Duggan and Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, and the reason for his absence wasn't disclosed. The wideout had missed some practices earlier in training camp due to lower-body tightness, but it's unclear if his absence Saturday was related to that. Whatever the case may be, it's promising for Hyatt's status moving forward that he was able to return to practice Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday, though Duggan notes the receiver did work on the side rather than taking team reps. As such, it bears monitoring how long Hyatt will be limited to side work.

Sanders suffered an oblique injury while throwing during Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, Sanders' oblique issue sidelined him for the remainder of the session. As a result, the 2025 fifth-rounder's status for Saturday's preseason contest against the Eagles is now in question.