NFL Player News

Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 rushing yards on four carries during Friday's 30-10 preseason win over the Panthers.

Getting the start with Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both dealing with hamstring injuries and Joe Flacco held out along with the Browns' other starters, Sanders connected with Kaden Davis for two second-quarter scores before eventually turning things over to Tyler Huntley for the final few drives. It was an intriguing performance from Sanders in his first NFL game action of any kind, but the 2025 fifth-round pick still has an uphill battle ahead of him over the rest of training camp and the preseason to even make Cleveland's gameday roster for Week 1. If he continues to take advantage of his opportunities while Pickett and Gabriel are sidelined however, Sanders could force coach Kevin Stefanski to make some tough decisions.

Gibson rushed six times for 26 yards and caught his only target for 11 yards in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. He also had a 62-yard kickoff return.

Gibson was the third running back into the game for New England behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. It will likely take an injury to one of those two alternatives for Gibson to see significant action on offense in the regular season, but he seems to have a firm grasp on the third spot on the depth chart heading into the Patriots' second preseason game against the Vikings on Aug. 16.

Williams didn't catch any of his four targets in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders.

None of Williams' targets came from starting quarterback Drake Maye, as the rookie third-round pick is still stuck in a depth role at this point. Williams will try to bounce back in the Patriots' second preseason game, Aug. 16 against the Vikings.

Stevenson rushed seven times for 36 yards and wasn't targeted in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders.

The Patriots showcased the potential breakdown in roles between Stevenson and rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson on their first few drives. Stevenson handled most of the carries to keep the offense on schedule while Henderson showed off his speed in space, turning one carry and three targets into 30 offensive yards in addition to scoring a touchdown on the opening kickoff. Stevenson figures to remain a key contributor in what projects to be a run-heavy Patriots offense despite the addition of Henderson. New England's next preseason game is Aug. 16 in Minnesota.

TeSlaa had two receptions on three targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason game in Atlanta.

TeSlaa followed up a strong preseason debut (2-46-0) with his first touchdown grab as a member of the Lions. The third-round rookie has built a good rapport with backup QB Kyle Allen through two exhibitions, with the duo producing 57 yards and a touchdown in less than four combined quarters of action so far. TeSlaa's size (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect in a crowded Detroit receiver room. The rookie will look to continue impressing his coaching staff when the Lions host the Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Maye completed three of five passes for 12 yards in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. He added two rushing attempts for 16 yards and a touchdown but also lost a fumble.

Maye played two drives. He turned the ball over with a fumble on the first but capped the second with a five-yard rushing touchdown. Maye has posted pedestrian passing stats in his young NFL career, but the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been an effective scrambler, rushing for 30-plus yards in half of his 12 regular-season starts as a rookie. Maye will look to sharpen his passing in the Patriots' second preseason game against the Vikings on Aug. 16.

Henderson rushed once for 18 yards and caught all three of his targets for 12 yards in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. He also scored a 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown.

Henderson made an instant impact in his NFL debut, taking the opening kickoff back for a 100-yard touchdown. He also split snaps with Rhamondre Stevenson for the next two drives while the first-team offense was in the game. Henderson's pass-catching skills and ability to make defenders miss in space should help the rookie second-round pick play a prominent role on offense out of the gate as the speedy complement to Stevenson's bruising running style. Henderson will look to build on this strong first impression when the Patriots travel to Minnesota on Aug. 16 for their next preseason game.

Stick completed 15 of 18 pass attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason tilt against the Lions.

Stick got the start for Atlanta with both Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins sitting out the exhibition. The 29-year-old Stick was nearly perfect from the pocket in the first half before giving way to Emory Jones after halftime. The pair of backups will continue battling for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart this preseason when the Falcons take on the Titans next Friday.

Lewis did not play in Friday's preseason game against the Browns due to a shoulder strain, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

Lewis suffered the injury during Wednesday's training camp practice and is considered week-to-week. He's unlikely to play in the Panthers' two remaining preseason games, but he could return for Week 1 against the Jaguars on Sept. 7. With Lewis and Chandler Zavala (kneecap) both sidelined, Brandon Walton and Ja'Tyre Carter will have opportunities to work with the first-team offense at left guard.

Hooker completed seven of 10 pass attempts for 38 yards while gaining 27 yards and losing two fumbles on three rushing attempts in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons.

Hooker got the nod under center for the Lions after struggling mightily against the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31. The 2023 third-round pick didn't fare much better against Atlanta, coughing up the football on Detroit's opening drives in the first and second quarters. Fellow backup Kyle Allen (120 yards and two touchdowns) took over in the second half and outperformed Hooker yet again, giving the veteran signal-caller an early lead in the competition to be starter Jared Goff's primary backup in 2025.