NFL Player News

Martin-Scott (hamstring) did not play in Friday's preseason finale against the Texans, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Martin-Scott was held out of the game due to a new hamstring injury. The second-year undrafted free agent out of South Carolina is set to be a key piece of the Panthers' linebacker depth throughout the 2026 season. If Martin-Scott's injury persists into the regular season, Claudin Cherelus could see an increased number of snaps for the defense.

Little made his only field-goal attempt, from 61 yards out, and did not attempt any extra points in the Jaguars' 19-0 preseason win over the Buccaneers on Friday.

Little's long-distance boot, which came with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, was undeniably impressive but not out of the norm for the third-year star. He went 13-for-16 on kicks from 50 yards and longer over 34 regular-season games in his first two campaigns, and he wraps up preseason having gone 7-for-7 on field-goal attempts while also knocking home his only PAT.

Etienne (ankle) is being evaluated to diagnose the extent of his injury, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

Etienne rushed one time for two yards in Friday's preseason finale against the Texans. The running back is set to be the starting kick and punt returner for the Panthers, as well as the primary depth behind the split backfield of Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) and Jonathon Brooks. If Etienne's injury requires him to miss the Week 1 game against the Bears, AJ Dillon will likely be the No. 3 running back, while Jimmy Horn and David Moore could return kicks and punts.

Dotson caught all three of his targets for 27 yards in Friday's 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins.

Dotson accounted for three of Tua Tagovailoa's seven completions while Atlanta's starters were in the game, with three going to TE Kyle Pitts and one going to RB Brian Robinson. Offensive stars Bijan Robinson and Drake London sat out the preseason finale, but Dotson's involvement Friday suggests the 2022 first-round pick of the Commanders is positioned as the Falcons' No. 2 wideout behind London heading into the regular season.

Rodriguez (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reported Friday.

Rodriguez picked up an injury in Thursday's practice. With the Dolphins' Week 1 showdown with the Raiders set for Sept. 13, the middle linebacker should still be all set to suit up for the contest. The second-round rookie is currently slated to be the primary backup for Tyrel Dodson throughout the 2026 season.

Ewers did not play in Friday's 17-12 preseason loss to the Falcons, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

Head coach Jeff Jafley relayed to reporters after the game that he "never felt truly comfortable enough" to play Ewers in Friday's preseason finale, even though the second-year quarterback was cleared to return to practice earlier in the week. Mark Gronowski and Cam Miller played under center for the Dolphins, but they combined to complete 11 of 24 passes for 158 yards while taking five sacks. For now, it looks like Ewers will serve as Malik Willis' backup in 2026, though the Dolphins could opt to bring in another signal caller before Week 1 against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Smith-Marsette (ankle) will not return to Friday night's preseason finale against the Packers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Smith-Marsette exited during the third quarter of Friday's game with an ankle injury. The wide receiver and returner is attempting to make the Cardinals' 53-man roster as a special-teams threat. Smith-Marsette is on the roster bubble as it is, so any significant injury will likely significantly dampen his odds of making the team.

Robinson rushed five times for 14 yards and a touchdown, caught his only target for nine yards and lost a fumble in Friday's 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins.

Robinson played the first quarter with most of Atlanta's starters as the Falcons held Bijan Robinson out of the exhibition slate. Brian Robinson, an offseason acquisition, capped the opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run but lost a fumble two drives later, matching Tua Tagovailoa's fumble on the possession in between. Come Week 1 against the Steelers, Brian is expected to work as Bijan's top backup in an all-Robinson 1-2 punch.

Loop converted two of his four field-goal attempts while going 5-for-5 on PATs in Friday night's 41-3 preseason win over the Commanders.

Loop has had a strong camp, but coach Jesse Minter did not discount the possibility of bringing in competition for the kicker spot, per Kyle Goon of TheBaltimoreBanner.com. Loop's misses Friday came from 58 and 51 yards put, and they come on the heels of a rookie season in which he made just one of his four attempts from 50 yards or longer. Loop has some level of security as the only kicker on Baltimore's roster, but he will have eyes on him moving forward.

Pitts caught all three of his targets for 59 yards in Friday's 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins.

Pitts has shown excellent chemistry with QB Tua Tagovailoa during the preseason, accounting for 81 of Tagovailoa's 117 passing yards across parts of two preseason games. It remains to be seen whether Tagovailoa or Michael Penix (knee) will get the starting nod under center for Week 1 against the Steelers. Either way, Pitts is poised to maintain a prominent role on the heels of his 928-yard 2025 regular season.