NFL Player News

After the connection between Brown and QB Drake Maye got off to a slow start in training camp, Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site notes that "there have been some serious signs of life since the pads came on Thursday morning."

With that in mind, Maye said Friday,"I feel the connectivity building now," adding "that's the biggest thing. You are just seeing it get better every day." As the two players' chemistry continues to grow while Brown acclimates to his new team's offense, the wideout is firmly on track to yield fantasy utility as New England's top option at his position alongside fellow newcomer Romeo Doubs, with Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism battling for targets that don't go to the aforementioned duo.

San Francisco assistant head coach Chris Foerster said Friday that the team is "continuing to evaluate" Pearsall (knee) after the wide receiver aggravated the PCL issue in his right knee during early training camp practices, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Pearsall's injury has reportedly caused "concern" for the 49ers, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, and the team is "exploring all options." As Barrows reports, surgery is being weighed among those options, though undergoing a procedure now could cost Pearsall the entire 2026 season. In the wake of Pearsall's ongoing evaluation, San Francisco signed veteran wideout Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract on Tuesday. Christian Kirk (calf) is also managing an injury that has hampered his ability to practice during the early stages of camp.

The Panthers placed Brazzell (knee) on injured reserve Friday.

Brazzell will officially miss his entire rookie season due to the LCL tear he suffered during Wednesday's training camp practice. The rookie third-round pick will undergo surgery and set his full attention on making a recovery for the 2027 campaign. In the wake of this transaction, Xavier Legette and John Metchie are the top candidates to secure the No. 3 wide receiver role in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.

Rice (knee) is being eased back into the mix during training camp, Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports.

As Rice works his way back from an offseason knee procedure with a ramp-up period, Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star relays that the wideout hasn't been logging reps in team drills. That context has enabled rookie fifth-rounder Cyrus Allen to open some eyes early on in training camp, but once Rice upgrades his practice participation level, he'll step back into a prominent role in a WR corps that also features fellow returnees Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton.

Head coach Mike McCarthy envisions using Wilson all over the formation, Brian Batko of the Steelers' official site reports.

"He's done a heck of a job inside, and I haven't even talked to him about this yet, but I think we can start working him a little bit more outside, too," McCarthy said of Wilson. "He can line up at X, Z and F, and so far, he's done exactly what we asked." Wilson is competing with rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard for the third spot on Pittsburgh's wide receiver depth chart behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman. Bernard got most of the first-team slot reps at Friday's practice, per Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, while Wilson worked mostly on the outside with the second-team offense, which marks a departure from previous practices, when Wilson played primarily in the slot.

Bernard got most of his reps in the slot with the first-team offense at Friday's practice, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.

Bernard is competing for the third spot on the wide receiver depth chart with Roman Wilson, who mostly worked on the outside with the second-team offense Friday. That usage marked a departure from Wednesday's practice, when Wilson logged most of the reps in three-receiver sets alongside DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman. Bernard has also seen some time on the outside, with Wilson shifting into the slot, so the Steelers are still identifying their best combinations and pecking order at wide receiver at this early stage of training camp. Bernard is a rookie second-round pick, while Wilson was a third-round selection in 2024.

Hodge tried out for the Bills on Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo Newsreports.

Hodge was released by the Falcons in March with a shoulder injury. The veteran receiver has served as a depth wideout and special-teams asset throughout his eight-year career, and he'd profile for the same role if he does land another NFL opportunity.

The Packers signed Prather to a one-year deal Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 2025 seventh-round pick of the Bills was cut with an injury settlement last August and eventually landed with the Louisville Kings of the UFL, for which he recorded a 9-148-0 line over nine regular-season games in what turned out to be a championship campaign for the franchise. Prather will now have a chance to work his way back onto an NFL roster, although he faces a crowded wide-receiver depth chart in Green Bay.

The Bills waived Virgil (undisclosed) with a non-football injury designation Thursday, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

Virgil was signed to a reserve/future deal in February, but he will not make it far in training camp due to an undisclosed issue. The wide receiver is now a free agent, set to sign with any team. Virgil visited with the Broncos and spent time on the Cardinals' practice squad in 2025, so either location may be receptive to a reunion with the 27-year-old.

The Jets waived/injured Walthall (undisclosed) on Thursday, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

Walthall was waived with an undisclosed issue and will revert to the Jets' injured reserve if he goes unclaimed. The undrafted free agent out of Incarnate Word recorded 70 receptions for 847 yards and eight touchdowns over 10 games in his final season with the Cardinals. In a corresponding move, the Jets signed wide receiver Quincy Skinner.