NFL Player News

Ojulari (knee) is progressing well, but Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon wasn't ready Saturday to commit to the defensive end being ready for Week 1 of the regular season, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Ojulari is currently on the PUP list as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in training camp last August. While multiple reports have indicated Ojulari is doing well in his recovery, it's not a guarantee that he'll be ready for Week 1. The 2023 second-round draft pick recorded 4.0 sacks over 17 regular-season games in a promising rookie campaign.

Austin (undisclosed) didn't practice Sunday and is considered day-to-day, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

It's not clear what Austin is dealing with or how long he will remain sidelined. The 26-year-old reportedly has a leg up in the competition for Pittsburgh's No. 2 receiver role behind DK Metcalf. Austin also is slated to serve as the Steelers' lead punt returner during the upcoming campaign.

Cook didn't practice Sunday and said that the reason was "business" when asked after the session, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Cook is seeking a contract extension, but he reported for training camp and had previously been participating in practice. The star running back worked out on an exercise bike Sunday but didn't take part in team drills, per Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo. Cook's explanation for his lack of participation may suggest that he's planning to "hold in," meaning he could show up to practice but not actually take part while he remains without an extension. When Cook was asked Sunday if he'd return to practice Monday, his one-word answer was again "business."

The Ravens signed Johnson on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Johnson has six years of NFL experience on his resume, with his best campaign coming in 2021, when he logged 534 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 100 carries during the regular season with Cleveland. He provided depth at RB for the Jaguars last year, recording 143 yards on 32 carries and 96 receiving yards on 12 catches over 14 contests. Johnson also has experience as a kick returner, which can only help his chances of making Baltimore's final roster. Johnson's signing was precipitated by the absence of Marcus Major, who is dealing with a concussion.

Kupp and the rest of the Seahawks' starters won't play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Raiders, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

We'll have to wait to see how well Kupp functions with Sam Darnold in the Seahawks' new offense under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kupp has missed 18 games over the past three seasons, but he still was impressive when healthy last year with three 100-yard performances and six touchdowns over 12 regular-season games. However, he's now 32 years old and is expected to be the No. 2 wideout behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Smith-Njigba and the rest of the Seahawks' starters won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Cooper Kupp also won't play, but it's unclear if any of the other wide receivers will be sidelined considering rookie Tory Horton and veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling are battling for the No. 3 job. Smith-Njigba is coming off a proficient second NFL season where he recorded 1,130 yards and six touchdowns on a Seahawks' record 100 receptions. He's the clear No. 1 receiver now that DK Metcalf (Steelers) and Tyler Lockett (Titans) are out of the picture.

Arizona signed McCollum on Saturday.

McCollum signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent in May but was waived in early June. He'll now get a look from the Cardinals after the team placed Quez Watkins (undisclosed) on injured reserve. McCollum is a long shot to make Arizona's final roster, but he'll have a chance to make his case for a spot on the team or the practice squad throughout the remainder of training camp.

Charbonnet is pushing for a timeshare in the backfield with Kenneth Walker in 2025, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

While Charbonnet doesn't match Walker's explosiveness or big-play ability, the former showed he can handle the starting duties when called upon. When Walker missed six games last season, Charbonnet tallied 91 carries for 433 yards (4.8 YPC) and six touchdowns while adding 19 receptions (on 23 targets) for 169 yards. The coaches have been cautious with Walker during training camp to keep him healthy, and using Charbonnet more regularly during the season could help keep Walker upright. The Seahawks' scheme may focus more on the run this year, too, meaning there could be enough carries to make both players fantasy viable. Charbonnet should be considered one of the league's top No. 2 backs regardless. Head coach Mike Macdonald said that the starters won't play in Thursday's preseason game versus the Raiders, and it remains to be seen if that will extend to Charbonnet.

The Cardinals placed Watkins (undisclosed) on injured reserve Saturday.

Watkins left practice Friday with an undisclosed injury, and he's now required to miss the entire season unless he reaches an injury settlement with Arizona. The Cardinals signed Nate McCollum in a corresponding move to take Watkins' roster spot as wideout depth.

Darnold and the rest of the Seahawks' starters won't play in Thursday's preseason game versus the Raiders, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

This likely means Kenneth Walker, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and the starting offensive line will sit out, but it remains to be seen who else will stay in street clothes. Darnold has put forth a solid training camp thus far and is locked in as the starter after throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with the Vikings last season. Rookie third-round pick Jalen Milroe and Drew Lock are battling for the No. 2 job and are expected to be active for Thursday's game.