NFL Player News

Wentz completed three of four passes for 15 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and ran once for no gain in Friday's 34-6 preseason loss to the Broncos. He also fumbled once but recovered.

The battle for the Vikings' No. 2 quarterback job has been a fluid situation this summer, and J.J. McCarthy's absence Friday due to an ankle injury only served to add further intrigue. Wentz had already forced head coach Kevin O'Connell to modify his stance on the role being McCarthy's by going 18-for-25 for 173 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions over his first two preseason games, and McCarthy hurt his own cause in the second exhibition by missing two open receivers for potential touchdowns. Wentz drew the start in McCarthy's absence against Denver on Friday, and in a perhaps telling sign, was protected from injury by playing on only the first two drives.

Arroyo secured his only target for a 24-yard reception in the Seahawks' 9-9 preseason tie with the Chiefs on Friday.

The second-year tight end had recorded a 36-yard touchdown grab in Sunday's exhibition against the Titans, and Arroyo followed that up with another big play Friday on his 24-yard grab during Seattle's second possession. Arroyo is expected to operate as the No. 2 pass-catching option at tight end behind AJ Barner, but veteran Eric Saubert is expected to see his fair share of snaps as well thanks to his blocking prowess.

Brown rushed twice for 19 yards and a touchdown while adding a four-yard punt return in Friday's 27-24 preseason win over the Cowboys.

Brown wasn't targeted in the preseason finale but still left his mark on the game with a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. The rookie sixth-round pick out of LSU reportedly stood out in training camp, and he has built on that success with a strong preseason. Rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is expected to miss about two months, so the door is open for Brown to take on a sizable role out of the gate behind Chris Olave in a Saints WR room that also includes Devaughn Vele and Bryce Lance.

Henderson secured three of four targets for 58 yards and returned two kickoffs for 41 yards in the Seahawks' 9-9 tie with the Chiefs on Friday.

Henderson had his best game of the preseason as a receiver, finishing tied with multiple players for the team lead in receptions and qualifying as the runner-up in receiving yards for the night. The rookie sixth-round pick was serviceable on kickoff returns as well, and he finished the preseason averaging 22.0 yards on his four opportunities in that capacity. Henderson may have shown enough promise to secure a practice-squad role, while his path to a spot on the 53-man roster appears steeper.

Lance caught two of four targets for 28 yards in Friday's 27-24 preseason win over the Cowboys.

Lance was drafted in the fourth round out of North Dakota State, but he has been outperformed by sixth-round pick Barion Brown throughout training camp and the preseason. Brown upstaged Lance again Friday by scoring a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Both rookie Day 3 picks have a chance to contribute out of the gate, as rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is expected to miss about two months, leaving Lance, Brown and Devaughn Vele as the top options behind Chris Olave.

Gray failed to bring in his only target in the Chiefs' 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks on Friday.

The veteran backup tight end will close out preseason play with only the one reception for 10 yards he recorded in the opener against the Rams. Despite the quiet exhibition slate, Gray is ticketed to reprise his No. 2 tight end role behind Travis Kelce once again in 2026. That netted him a 21-178-0 line on 37 targets over 16 regular-season games a year ago.

Thornton secured one of two targets for 11 yards in the Chiefs' 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks on Friday.

The fifth-year pro drew a start and matched his one catch from preseason Week 2, albeit while gaining six more yards than in that performance. Thornton somewhat revived his career during his 2025 Chiefs debut campaign by averaging 23.1 yards per reception on his 19 catches and recording three scoring grabs, and he projects to open the season in the prominent role of No. 3 receiver in what should be a dynamic air attack.

Estime rushed four times for 46 yards and caught all three of his targets for 22 yards in Friday's 27-24 preseason win over the Cowboys.

Estime led the Saints in rushing Friday, finishing with four more yards than Kendre Miller thanks to a 33-yard run. Injuries to Alvin Kamara (knee) and Devin Neal (hamstring) could open the door for Estime to make the 53-man roster, though Miller and recent trade acquisition Zamir White are also competing for spots in New Orleans' backfield behind Travis Etienne.

Johnson rushed seven times for 39 yards and brought in both targets for 15 yards in the Chiefs' 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks on Friday.

The rookie fifth-round pick put together a strong finish to an encouraging preseason, one where he rushed 26 times for 123 yards and a touchdown and added a 6-35-0 line on seven targets. Johnson's primary competition for a depth role, Brashard Smith, had a productive 16-carry, 72-yard effort in his own right Friday, so it remains to be seen where each will slot on the depth chart behind the top duo of Kenneth Walker (ankle) and Emari Demercado.

Sturdivant caught six of seven targets for 112 yards and a touchdown Friday in a 42-38 preseason victory over Arizona.

Sturdivant and QB Kyle McCord accounted for all of the yardage on the Packers' first touchdown drive, connecting on a 36-yard pass down the middle before Sturdivant hauled in a 29-yard touchdown along the sideline on the following play. Sturdivant had been in concussion protocol earlier in the week, but he recovered in time to play Friday and posted a huge performance in his effort to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. Even with Friday's impressive effort, the 23-year-old could end up being cut by the end of the weekend, though it wouldn't be surprising at all if Sturdivant makes the club given the offensive skills he has flashed and his ability to contribute on special teams.