NFL Player News

Bryant caught his only target for 15 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons.

Bryant's catch came on Denver's first play of the game. It's encouraging to see the 2025 third-round pick getting involved early, as Bryant will have his work cut out for him as he tries to earn playing time in his second NFL campaign. Jaylen Waddle (leg) and Courtland Sutton are locked in as starters at wide receiver, while Bryant will also face competition for targets from Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims (undisclosed) in Denver's WR room.

Franklin caught one of two targets for 23 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons.

Franklin's lone reception came on the final play of the first quarter on a pass from Jarrett Stidham, who started at QB while Bo Nix rested. Franklin is competing for the third spot on the wide-receiver depth chart with 2025 third-round pick Pat Bryant and 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims (undisclosed). Jaylen Waddle (leg) and Courtland Sutton are locked in as starters. Franklin had 709 receiving yards in the 2025 regular season, which was second most on the team behind Sutton's 1,017.

Coleman rushed four times for 24 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons.

Coleman was the second running back into the game for Denver after RJ Harvey while veteran J.K. Dobbins (undisclosed) sat out Friday's preseason opener. Denver's rookie fourth-round pick is likely to begin his career as third on the team's running back depth chart behind Dobbins and Harvey, though Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin and Cody Schrader will try to work their way into the conversation during the preseason, which will continue for the Broncos next Friday against the Packers.

Hurst brought in two of six targets for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-16 preseason win over the Jets on Friday.

With Emeka Egbuka (toe), Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan (knee) all sitting out, Hurst worked as the Buccaneers' de facto No. 1 receiver on the night. The rookie third-round pick recorded his first catch for a seven-yard gain on the Buccaneers' second drive, and he added a 12-yard grab on Tampa Bay's third possession. Hurst was also targeted by Connor Bazelak on a goal-line slant on the final ball thrown his way, but the pass was a bit behind him and broken up. Hurst enters his rookie season with elevated expectations after an impressive two-year tenure at the D1 level, and both Godwin and McMillan's recent injury history suggests Hurst could see plenty of opportunity in his first NFL season.

Klubnik got the start in Friday's 24-16 preseason loss to the Buccaneers and completed five of seven passes for 56 yards.

Klubnik got the starting nod due to Geno Smith (ankle) being ruled out. Smith's injury isn't believed to be serious, so the veteran QB remains the clear favorite to start for the Jets come Week 1 against the Titans, but Klubnik is making a strong case for the backup role. The Jets scored 10 points on Klubnik's two drives in the game, while neither Bailey Zappe nor Brady Cook led a touchdown drive, and Zappe was picked off twice. Klubnik is likely to feature prominently in the Jets' second preseason game against the Steelers next Friday.

Allen rushed four times for 44 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 24-16 preseason loss to the Buccaneers.

Allen entered on the second drive after Breece Hall played the team's first possession. The 2024 fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin recorded rushes of eight and four yards before breaking free for a 31-yard touchdown run. Allen had been set to compete with Isaiah Davis (knee) for opportunities behind Hall, but Davis is week-to-week due to a knee injury, so Allen is expected to open the regular season as the team's No. 2 running back. Having bulked up to 250 pounds, Allen has the frame to take on short-yardage work, but he'll need to earn it by converting when such opportunities present themselves.

Tucker rushed four times for 12 yards and brought in both targets for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-16 preseason win over the Jets on Friday.

Neither Bucky Irving nor Kenny Gainwell were active Friday, leaving Tucker as the starting running back. The fourth-year pro gained four yards on his first carry during Tampa Bay's three-and-out opening possession, and he ended up playing on the Buccaneers' first three drives. Tucker recorded a career-high 320 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2025, and he projects to remain in a No. 3 running back role and potentially serve as a primary kickoff returner once again in 2026.

Cooper caught two of three targets for 31 yards in Friday's 24-16 preseason loss to the Buccaneers.

Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Isaiah Williams got into the game before Cooper at wide receiver, though Cooper promptly made his first catch of the game on the first play of the Jets' second drive. Cooper is expected to work his way ahead of Williams at some point, but the rookie first-round pick out of Indiana will need to earn his starting spot. Cooper will likely remain involved during the Jets' second preseason game, next Friday against the Steelers.

Head coach Dan Quinn said after Friday's 20-7 preseason win over the Dolphins that he'll provide an update on Mariota (knee) on Sunday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Mariota may have picked up a knee injury when he was hit by Tyrel Dodson in the first quarter. Mariota initially stayed in but was favoring his right knee after handing the ball off to Kaytron Allen, with the former being tended to by trainers on the ground. Mariota was able to walk off the field on his own, but an extended absence would be a blow considering he appeared in 11 regular-season games (eight starts) last year while Jayden Daniels was sidelined due to injury. Sam Hartman and undrafted rookie Athan Kaliakmanis are the other two quarterbacks on the training camp roster, but if Mariota were to miss time, then the Commanders would likely look to add a veteran QB via free agency or trade.

Willis completed four of five passes for 43 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and added two carries for nine yards in the Dolphins' 20-7 preseason loss to the Commanders on Friday.

The Dolphins' top quarterback shined with his efficiency and grasp of the offense in his team debut, playing a key role in Miami's 14-play, 93-yard opening drive. Willis got off to a quick start with four- and eight-yard completions to Malik Washington, and the highlight of his time in the game was a subsequent third-down, 28-yard connection with Caleb Douglas that took the ball into Commanders territory. Willis has been garnering positive reviews from his work both on and off the field during training camp, and the fact he was able to carry his momentum into his first taste of game action this summer was highly encouraging.