NFL Player News

Kraft (knee) will participate in team drills during Wednesday's joint practice with the Cardinals, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Kraft has been participating in team drills for over a week, and he has advanced enough to get some work in against an opposing team. It's still not certain that Kraft will be ready for Week 1, and it was reported earlier in August that he could open on a snap count even if he is ready to go, but the chances of him both being out there and filling a key role continue to rise.

Downs is not practicing Wednesday due to a calf injury, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Downs sat out Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, and the reason for his absence is now known. The extent of his setback is uncertain, but the Colts are down their top two options at wide receiver for the time being.

Flowers isn't practicing Wednesday for the second consecutive day while he tends to an apparent undisclosed injury, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Flowers contended with a bruised quadriceps earlier in camp, but it's unclear if his consecutive absences from practice are related to that injury or if he's nursing a new health concern. Though Flowers isn't in uniform Wednesday, he was at least in attendance for practice and was working out off to the side, which bodes well for his chances of being available for the Ravens' Week 1 game against the Colts on Sept. 13. Flowers will likely miss Friday's preseason finale versus the Commanders, though that might have been the case even if he was 100 percent healthy.

McMillan (knee) didn't travel with the Buccaneers to Jacksonville for Wednesday's joint practice with the Jaguars, PewterReport.com reports.

The Buccaneers will reconvene with the Jaguars on Friday in Jacksonville for the preseason finale, and McMillan would appear safe to rule out for that contest after not making the trip north from Tampa. McMillan hasn't played at all in preseason while managing a lingering knee injury, and though he appeared to make some progress last week by returning to practice in a limited fashion, he may have since taken a step back in his recovery. He didn't practice in any capacity Tuesday in the first of the Buccaneers' two joint sessions with the Jaguars.

Thomas (shoulder) was present on the field for Wednesday's joint practice with the Buccaneers while sporting a no-contact jersey, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Thomas made an early exit Tuesday for the first of two joint practices after falling on his shoulder while catching a touchdown pass in red-zone drills. Head coach Liam Coen said afterward that Thomas was "alright," though Coen indicated that the Jaguars would likely err on the side of caution and keep the receiver out for Friday's preseason finale versus Tampa Bay. Thomas' return to the field in a day later -- even in what appears to be a limited capacity -- is a good sign that he'll be ready to go for the Jaguars' Sept. 13 season opener versus the Browns.

Beckham's chances of winning a spot on the Giants' 53-man roster appear to have increased after Calvin Austin (knee) sustained a season-ending ACL tear in Tuesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Austin had been projected to play a significant role as the team's top slot receiver, but the Giants now appear likely to lean on a committee of players to fill the void, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Though top wideout Malik Nabers (knee) and top tight end Isaiah Likely are among the candidates to see more reps out of the slot, Beckham is also capable of lining up at that spot in addition to playing on the perimeter. Given Beckham's age and poor track record on the health front in recent years, the Giants likely aren't counting on him to serve in anything more than a part-time role if he wins a roster spot, but the loss of Austin nonetheless makes Beckham a more valuable insurance option. Raanan notes that Beckham had been an afterthought for much of the summer while working with the second-team offense, but the 33-year-old wideout turned in one of his best practices Tuesday, hauling in four receptions during live drills.

Fields could be one of multiple Giants receivers who benefits from added opportunities to begin the season after Calvin Austin (knee) sustained a torn ACL during Tuesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Fields is primarily an "X" receiver and projects to see most of his playing time on the perimeter as a rookie, but the loss of Austin -- who was projected to serve as the Giants' top slot man -- could nonetheless aid his chances of seeing the field. With Austin sidelined, Dan Duggan of The Athletic posts that the Giants will lean on a committee of players in the slot, which could include Malik Nabers (knee). While it's also not out of the question for Fields to see some occasional work as a power slot, the rookie third-round pick would still be a beneficiary of more snaps on the outside if Nabers ends up playing inside more frequently. Fields has drawn generally positive reviews during his first training camp, seeing plenty of reps with the first-team offense while filling in for Nabers, who had been a non-participant or limited participant for much of the summer before being cleared to take contact earlier this week.

Bain was diagnosed Wednesday with an AC joint sprain of his right shoulder, but the injury isn't believed to be serious, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Though it's unclear when Bain sustained the injury, head coach Todd Bowles said that the rookie first-round pick will be good to go for the start of the regular season, per Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site. The 21-year-old pass rusher is projected to start at weakside linebacker Week 1.

Mooney could have a chance to open the season as the Giants' No. 3 receiver after Calvin Austin (knee) sustained a torn ACL in Tuesday's practice, Jordan Ranaan of ESPN.com reports.

Before injuring his right knee, Austin looked primed to play a significant role as the Giants' slot receiver, but the team is now expected to take a committee approach to that position in the wake of his season-ending injury, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Along with Mooney, fellow wideouts Malik Nabers (knee) and Odell Beckham and tight end Isaiah Likely could also get more chances to work in the slot. Ranaan notes that Mooney -- who produced a 32-443-1 receiving line on 72 targets in 15 games with the Falcons in 2025 -- turned in one of his best practices of the summer Tuesday, which could prompt the coaching staff to carve out more snaps for him with the first-team offense.

Austin is expected to miss the 2026 season after he sustained a torn ACL in his right knee while running a route during Tuesday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The Giants were fearful that Austin went down with a serious injury when he needed to be carted off the field Tuesday, and follow-up tests have indeed confirmed structural damage to his knee. After signing a one-year deal with the Giants in March, Austin appeared to have the inside track to serve as the team's third wideout, but his absence for all of 2026 will open up some opportunities for players such as Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields and Odell Beckham. The 27-year-old will head back into free agency next offseason and could draw limited interest while he works his way back from major knee surgery.