NFL Player News

Washington recorded four catches on five targets for 35 yards in Friday's 31-0 preseason win over the Falcons.

Washington got the chance to play with Jacksonville's starting unit with Christian Kirk (calf) sidelined. He tallied a pair of receptions from Trevor Lawrence and then remained in the game for a few additional drives as Jacksonville's backups took the field. That's indicative of Washington's status on the depth chart, as he should operate as the fourth wide receiver when Kirk, Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas are all healthy.

Davis was unable to record a catch on either of his targets in Friday's 31-0 preseason win over the Falcons.

Davis was on the field with Trevor Lawrence and the majority of Jacksonville's starting unit for two drives. He was blanked on the stat sheet but was targeted in the end zone on the latter of the starting unit's possessions. Davis has a clear grasp on a starting role as an outside receiver heading into a Week 1 matchup against Miami.

Thomas brought in his only target for 38 yards in Friday's 31-0 preseason win over Atlanta.

Thomas played on a pair of offensive drives, both of which came with Trevor Lawrence. Though he was targeted only once, Thomas did showcase his big-play ability while making a long catch before turning up the field to pick up an additional 20 yards. He has seemingly cemented himself as a starting outside receiver opposite Gabe Davis with Christian Kirk operating primarily out of the slot heading into a Week 1 matchup against Miami.

Ezukanma is wearing a boot on his left foot Friday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ezukanma isn't suited up, so it's apparent that he won't play in Miami's preseason finale versus the Buccaneers on Friday. The 24-year-old is competing for the final spot in the Dolphins' wide-receiver room, and the injury could be a factor in his chance of making the 53-man roster. Ezukanma stood out in Miami's second exhibition contest last week versus Washington, leading the team with five catches (on seven targets) for 65 yards. He also rushed once in that game for six yards.

Evans isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Dolphins, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Per Smith, coach Todd Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network that neither Evans nor LB Lavonte David will face Miami in the team's final exhibition contest. However, the duo's absence is not injury-related, rather it's a case of them getting the night off, like a 'veteran' day in practice. Evans' next game action will thus occur when he lines up in Tampa Bay's starting lineup against the Commanders in a Week 1 matchup on Sept. 8.

Coach Sean Payton indicated that Reynolds has some "wear and tear" with an Achilles, but noted that the wideout felt better Friday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Payton added that Reynolds, who worked on a side field Friday, should be fine, but we suspect that the team will err on the side of caution and hold the 29-year-old out of Sunday's preseason finale against the Cardinals. As Week 1 approaches, Reynolds is looking to cement a key role in a Denver WR corps that's led by Courtland Sutton and also includes Tim Patrick, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.

Jones has been suspended for the first five games of the season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, Jones -- whose suspension stems from an arrest Nov. 13 -- will be eligible for reinstatement Oct. 7 following the Cardinals' Week 5 game against the 49ers. As a result, the soonest Jones will be able to see regular-season action is Oct. 13 against the Packers. With Jones slated to be unavailable out of the gate this season, Marvin Harrison, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are in line to head the team's WR corps beginning Sept. 8 against the Bills.

McCaffrey hasn't emerged as an obvious top-four wide receiver to open the season for Washington, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Even after the Commanders' trade of Jahan Dotson this week, McCaffrey hasn't earned a starting role in Washington. It sounds like Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are pushing for playing time behind Terry McLaurin, and even slot man Jamison Crowder could be in the mix. McCaffrey is relatively new to the wide receiver position after playing it for just two seasons. If McCaffrey doesn't open the season in three-wide sets, it's not out of the question that he finishes 2024 in a prominent role.

McMillan is expected to handle third receiver duties in Tampa Bay this season, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

"In the Bucs' three receiver sets, McMillan will line up opposite Mike Evans with Chris Godwin in the slot," Laine wrote. Trey Palmer finished a distant third in targets amongst wide receivers on the Bucs with 68 of them last season, but Tampa Bay used a third-round pick on McMillan back in April, bumping Palmer down the depth chart to WR4. Evans paced the team with 136 looks, and Godwin was a close second at 130. McMillan could have a couple big games in the box score, but it would be a complete surprise if he sees anywhere near the targets as Evans or Godwin.

Davis and other starters are in line to play in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union reports.

Coach Doug Pederson said he expects his starters to play about two quarters, but it's possible there will be exceptions and/or he changes his mind during the game. Davis previously played in the first preseason game, catching one of two targets for 20 yards in the lone drive Jacksonville's first-stringers played in a 26-13 win over the Chiefs. He's locked in as a starter with his new team, joined by Christian Kirk (calf) and rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas atop the depth chart at wide receiver.