NFL Player News

Ridley caught two of three targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.

Ridley and the rest of Tennessee's first-team offense played the first two drives. After signing a four-year, $92 million contract with the Titans in March, Ridley's expected to work as the top target for second-year quarterback Will Levis in the regular season. Ridley's healthy heading into the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Bears, but it remains to be seen if fellow starting wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) will recover in time to suit up Week 1.

The Falcons waived Ali on Sunday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Ali spent most of 2023 on the Falcons' injured reserve due to an ankle injury. He was able to return for training camp in late July, and while he suited up for all three games, he had just one catch for 19 yards. Ali will explore his next opportunities should he clear waivers.

The Rams waived Laap on Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Laap signed with the Rams in May as an undrafted free agent out of SUNY Cortland. He played in all three preseason games, though he only accrued stats against the Cowboys on Aug. 11, when he registered two catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Should he go unclaimed off waivers, Laap will look to catch on with another team in need of a wide receiver.

The Steelers waived Luther on Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

After being let go by New England in June, Luther caught on with Pittsburgh in early August to compete for a depth spot at wide receiver. He wasn't able to record a catch in his two preseason outings, and he will now look for opportunities elsewhere assuming he clears waivers.

Schwartz (knee) was placed on the Dolphins' reserve/injured list Sunday.

Schwartz injured his knee while being tackled on a 17-yard reception in Friday's preseason game against Tampa Bay. Tests later confirmed that Schwartz tore a ligament in his knee, and the 2021 third-round pick will now be forced to sit out for the entire 2024 season unless an injury settlement is reached with the Dolphins. Schwartz appeared in 11 regular-season games for the Browns last season, finishing with four catches on 10 targets for 51 yards while adding 57 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Colts coach Shane Steichen said Sunday he is hopeful that Downs (ankle) will be available for the start of the regular season, but his timeline for a return is still unclear, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Downs has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle sprain during practice Aug. 7. While he shed his walking boot last Thursday, the 23-year-old still seems to have some way to go before Indianapolis' season opener versus Houston on Sunday, Sept. 8. Downs is coming off a breakout rookie season with 68 catches for 771 yards across 17 regular-season games. Should Downs miss time, then Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will be next in line to play alongside top wideout Michael Pittman.

Jacksonville waived Williams on Sunday.

Williams spent all of 2023 on the Jaguars' practice squad, and his last NFL action was in 2021 with the Broncos. He finished the preseason with three catches for 15 yards across three games. Assuming Williams clears waivers, the 2021 sixth-round pick will look to catch on with a team's practice squad.

The Jaguars waived Scates on Sunday.

Scates signed with the Jags in April as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis. He had one catch for 14 yards in Jacksonville's second preseason game against Tampa Bay on Aug. 17. Scates will look to catch onto a team's practice squad should he clear waivers.

The Colts waived Slywka on Sunday.

Slywka signed with the Colts in June, but he wasn't able to record a catch in the preseason. He'll explore his next options assuming he clears waivers.

The Giants waived Asante on Sunday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Asante signed with the Giants in May as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming. He appeared in all three preseason games for the Giants, but he had just one catch for three yards in Saturday's contest against the Jets. Asante will likely look to sign with a team's practice squad should he clear waivers.