NFL Player News

Apple was released by the 49ers on Thursday.

Apple lasted less than two weeks in the organization after signing with San Francisco following a tryout July 27. He'll look to latch on with another team during the preseason. The veteran cornerback has appeared in 102 regular-season games, split between the Giants, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Dolphins and Chargers.

Heyward hasn't been fully participating in training camp practices as he seeks a restructured contract from the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Heyward is "holding in" similarly to a few other players around the league who are at their team facilities but not fully participating in practice due to contract disputes. The veteran pass rusher is looking for a raise from his current $14.75 million salary on the heels of a strong 2024 regular season in which he posted 8.0 sacks and 11 passes defensed. There hasn't been much progress on a reworked deal, per Schefter, as the Steelers have prioritized other contracts and moves in what has been a busy offseason.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski said Wednesday that Washington has impressed throughout training camp and been "a guy who can win consistently against man coverage and match coverage," John Oehser of the team's official site reports.

Udinski praised the versatility Washington has displayed entering Year 3, saying he "can plug and play at different spots and go and execute a wide route tree." Washington himself expressed excitement about his possible utilization in new head coach Liam Coen's scheme, saying "I know I can be more than just a slot and it's exciting to be out on the outside and make plays and be just as effective on the outside as I am in the slot." Consistent targets could be difficult for the 2023 sixth-round pick to earn behind Brian Thomas and WR/CB Travis Hunter, and especially given that new No. 3 receiver Dyami Brown has also reportedly put together a strong camp, per John Shipley of SI.com. That makes it difficult to project much room for Washington's production to grow, even if he does take a step forward as a playmaker, but Washington could still climb onto the fantasy radar in deeper formats.

Slater was carted off the field after suffering a left leg injury in practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Slater's injury comes less than two weeks after he signed a four-year, $114 million contract that gave him the highest annual salary for an offensive lineman in NFL history. The exact nature and severity of Slater's injury is still being evaluated, so a potential recovery timeline for the standout left tackle has yet to be established.

Bass (pelvis) isn't practicing Thursday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

With Bass's status for Saturday's preseason opener against the Giants in doubt, Buffalo worked out two other kickers Wednesday and will likely sign one before Saturday, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News. Bass's job security isn't in question once healthy, as he spent the previous five seasons as Buffalo's kicker and converted at least 82.4 percent of regular-season field-goal attempts in every campaign.

Wicks (calf) is not participating in practice Thursday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Wicks has been managing a calf injury since late July, so it seems unlikely that he'll be in consideration to suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Jets. The third-year wideout appears to simply be managing a minor injury, though, as the Packers haven't expressed any concerns about his long-term availability. Jayden Reed (foot) is also sitting out practice Thursday.

McConkey (undisclosed) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

McConkey continues to miss practice due to an unspecified injury, with Rhim having previously reported that coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that the second-year wide receiver is "working through something minor." It seems safe to assume, however, that McConkey won't see action in Sunday's preseason contest against the Saints.

Dean, who's once again projected for the starting left cornerback role this season, recorded two interceptions during Wednesday's training camp practice, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Dean picked off backup Connor Bazelak but got Baker Mayfield as well, cutting in front of the latter's red-zone pass intended for rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka. The veteran cornerback's previously troublesome knee appears to be back to full health, leaving Dean poised to potentially bounce back from back-to-back injury-hampered seasons where he's suited up for just 25 of a possible 34 regular-season contests.

Smith left Thursday's practice early after sustaining a finger injury, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

The severity of Smith's finger issue may not become known ahead of Saturday's preseason opener against the Cardinals, but for now consider the rookie running back day-to-day ahead of the contest.

Coach Andy Reid revealed Thursday that Mahomes will play the first quarter of Saturday night's preseason opener against the Cardinals, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Per Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site, once Mahomes and the team's healthy first-teamers play a quarter, QBs Gardner Minshew, Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun will each subsequently log a quarter of action with their respective units. While getting Mahomes some in-game reps in the preseason is nothing unusual for the Chiefs, the team likely will implement a game script designed to keep the star QB out of harms way as much as possible.