NFL Player News

Meyers and other starters aren't scheduled to play in Friday's preseason game against the 49ers, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

It sounds like the Raiders may also hold out some of their better backups, as QB Aidan O'Connell isn't expected to play Friday night. Come Week 1, the team will have a strong group of pass catchers competing for targets from Gardner Minshew in a road game against the Chargers. It'll be tricky for Meyers to match his 2023 numbers for volume (106 targets in 16 games) or touchdowns (eight rushing, two receiving), but there's no question he'll be on the field for a lot of snaps as either the second or third option in the Raiders' passing game (depending on rookie TE Brock Bowers' usage/progress).

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that he doesn't believe Shaheed's toe/foot injury will keep him out for long, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Shaheed missed a week and a half of training camp earlier in August with a hamstring injury and has now been out since Friday due to the lower-body injury. Johnson reports that Shaheed's injury isn't turf toe, and while Allen's assessment is encouraging for the wideout's Week 1 availability, it would be surprising if he plays in Sunday's preseason finale against the Titans.

The Chiefs waived Hayek (shoulder) with an injury designation Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Hayek has been nursing a shoulder injury since the beginning of August, and the Chiefs have now decided to part ways with the Villanova product. If Hayek clears waivers, he'll revert to Kansas City's injured reserve list and miss all of the 2024 campaign unless the two parties reach an injury settlement.

Swain (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Swain signed with the Bears in May after spending the majority of the 2023 season on the Dolphins' practice squad. The Florida product will now miss the 2024 campaign unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.

Taylor (undisclosed) worked off on the sideline during Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

It seems that Taylor sustained an injury in recent days, as he didn't participate in team drills Wednesday. The Lousianna Tech product is battling for the team's top kick and punt returner spot, so missing time could hurt his chances of winning those jobs. Expect Ronnie Bell to assume all the first-team punt and kick return duties while Taylor nurses his injury.

Gray was held out of Wednesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The SMU product is likely fighting for a depth role in San Francisco's wide receiver room, so missing time likely hurts his chances of making the team's 53-man roster. With Gray sidelined again, expect Tay Martin and Robbie Chosen to see more reps in the preseason.

The Raiders waived Foreman (knee) with an injury designation Wednesday.

Foreman has been held out of Las Vegas' practices since sustaining a seemingly serious knee injury on Aug. 5, and the team has now decided to part ways with the rookie wideout. If Foreman clears waivers, he'll revert to the Raiders' injured reserve list and miss all of 2024 unless the two parties reach an injury settlement at some point this season.

Cooper (undisclosed) participated in individual work Wednesday but was held out of team drills, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Cooper remains limited in practice due to a minor issue sustained during 11-on-11 work last week in joint activities with the Vikings. The veteran wideout seems to be dealing with soreness, and the Browns have no major concern about his availability for Week 1. However, he has just two more chances to resume handling team reps ahead of Saturday's preseason finale against the Seahawks.

Vele (undisclosed) returned to practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

Vele was held out of Sunday's preseason game against the Packers with an undisclosed injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. Now that the rookie out of Utah is back to full health, he's expected to compete for a depth role in the Denver's WR room as the preseason progresses.

The Cardinals waived Arias on Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Arias spent the majority of last season with the Cardinals' practice squad, but the team has now decided to part ways with the 25-year-old wideout. In a corresponding move, Arizona agreed to terms with tight end Sage Surratt.