NFL Player News

Keys (leg) was waived/injured by the Bills on Tuesday.

Keys left practice last week with a leg injury and it has ultimately cost him any remote chance of making the Bills' squad this season. The Oregon product will potentially revert to season-ending IR if he goes unclaimed while on waivers.

Polk has been a regular presence on the first-team offense at practice this week, according to Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald.

Polk saw almost all of his playing time with the second-string offense in New England's first two preseason games, but that's not necessarily a bad thing given that it allowed him to work with QB Drake Maye rather than Jacoby Brissett. It's possible both Maye and Polk end up starting Week 1 against the Bengals, and there's not much question they'll end up working together at some point this season even if it doesn't materialize for the opener. The Patriots took Maye with the third overall pick in April and then got Polk at No. 37. Polk caught five of six targets in the first two preseason games, but for only 20 yards.

Johnson (groin) returned to practice Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Johnson was out for less than a week after suffering an apparently minor groin injury. He's otherwise been healthy and practicing since the Panthers traded for him in March, with multiple beat reporters suggesting this summer that Johnson has been QB Bryce Young's favorite target at training camp.

Chase (contract dispute) was present for the Bengals' practice session Monday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The extent of Chase's participation in Monday's session isn't known, and afterward head coach Zac Taylor declined to reveal whether the wideout's absence from the team last week was excused or unexcused, per Baby. Before he left camp last Tuesday, Chase had been "holding in" at Bengals practices, as he had been in attendance but not taking part in team drills as he awaits a contract extension. Though the Bengals rewarded kicker Evan McPherson with a three-year extension over the weekend, it's unclear if Chase will be able to come to terms on a new deal before Week 1, as team president Mike Brown previously said in July that any extension for the star receiver was unlikely to be completed until next offseason, according to Baby. Chase's desire for a new contract could result in him missing Thursday's preseason finale versus the Colts, but at this point, the 24-year-old hasn't definitively said that he won't suit up Week 1 against the Patriots if an extension isn't worked out before then.

Houston (hand) did not catch his lone target during Saturday's preseason loss at the Texans.

Houston had been missing time with a hand issue, but he's now apparently back in playing shape. However, he's probably on the outside looking in at a spot on the Giants' final 53-man roster for 2024.

The Browns waived Landers on Monday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Cleveland initially signed Landers back in May, but with final roster cuts approaching, it ultimately decided to part ways with him. He'll now have to look for another opportunity with a different team.

Eskridge (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Eskridge missed the Seahawks' preseason game versus the Titans on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury but is now healthy again. The 2021 second-round pick will now spend the next several weeks competing for a spot on the final roster, where he can add value both as a returner and as a depth receiver.

Cooks (knee) was spotted working with the rehab group at Monday's practice, Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Cooks made an early exit from last Thursday's session due to a sore knee, and the injury sidelined him for Saturday's preseason game at Las Vegas. Dallas likely will continue to exercise caution with the 10-year pro to ensure he's good to go for Week 1. There's also the lingering contract situation surrounding the team's top wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, whose absence from training camp has left Cooks as the current No. 1 at the position. In his first campaign with the Cowboys in 2023, Cooks posted a 54-657-8 line on 81 targets in 16 regular-season contests.

Chark came up limping after an 11-on-11 play during Monday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Per Popper, Chark was grabbing at his left hip flexor after the play, so the wideout's status will be worth tracking ahead of Saturday's preseason finale against the Cowboys. If Chark is forced to miss any time, Derius Davis and Brenden Rice would be candidates to see added work behind Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday that Johnson (ribs) is trending towards playing during Friday's preseason matchup with the Dolphins, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The undrafted rookie out of Barton College has been dealing with a ribs injury over the last week, and it now appears that he could return to the field Friday. Johnson has been competing for Tampa Bay's top kick- and punt-returner job since signing with the team in May, but he likely has only an outside chance of making the Buccaneers' 53-man roster.