NFL Player News

Valdes-Scantling had X-rays on his neck that came back negative, and he's been diagnosed with a neck sprain, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Valdes-Scantling was carted from the sideline to the locker room due to the neck injury during Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, so his diagnosis is positive news in that context. It's uncertain whether the veteran wideout will be able to play in Buffalo's final preseason contest against Carolina on Saturday, but it looks like the injury won't sideline him long term. That said, Valdes-Scantling hasn't had a great camp, so it's not a guarantee that he'll end up on the 53-man roster.

Jackson (knee) is questionable for the Titans' last preseason game at New Orleans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Jackson sustained a bruised knee during Saturday's preseason game versus the Seahawks, and now it looks like that injury could keep him out for the rest of the preseason. If he is indeed out, undrafted rookie free agent Sam Schnee could see an uptick in reps.

Philips (hamstring) is unlikely to play in the Titans' preseason finale at the Saints, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Phillips has been sitting out of practices with a lingering hamstring injury, and now it looks like it could keep him out until at least the regular season. It's no sure thing that he'll make Tennessee's final 53-man roster, though, and players like Sam Schnee may get more opportunities to make an impression if Philips is out.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Sunday that the team expects Hopkins (knee) to return in time for the regular-season opener, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Hopkins was diagnosed with a strained knee in early August with a return timeline of 4-to-6 weeks. Callahan said Sunday that the expectation is that the receiver will be back "soon," so he appears to be trending toward the early end of that timeframe. Hopkins is expected to work alongside Calvin Ridley as part of a veteran starting wideout duo when healthy.

Darden caught two of four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Minnesota. He also returned two punts for 16 yards and one kickoff for 29 yards.

All of Darden's activity as a receiver occurred during the second half. If he's to stick with the team, it will likely be as a returner. Darden has returned both punts and kickoffs in each of the first two preseason games.

Shenault caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and rushed once for five yards in Saturday's 16-15 preseason loss to the Titans.

Shenault has performed well as a gadget player, and while he didn't return a kickoff this week, he already proved he's an option in that facet during the first preseason matchup. The 25-year-old receiver appears to have the edge over Dee Eskridge (undisclosed) for the No. 5 wide receiver role. Shenault could handle some designed touches during the regular season if he does secure that role.

Lazard didn't play in Saturday's 15-12 preseason win over the Panthers.

Lazard is among numerous offensive players who have sat out the Jets' first two preseason games. Despite mustering a meager 311 receiving yards in 2023, he's a lock to make the team in 2024, and the 28-year-old wide receiver is hoping that the return of Aaron Rodgers under center will elevate the entire offense. Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams (knee) are projected to open the season as starters on the outside with Lazard -- who had 788 yards and six touchdowns with Rodgers as his quarterback in Green Bay in 2022 -- in a bench role.

Eskridge missed Saturday's 16-15 preseason loss to the Titans with an undisclosed injury, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Eskridge's roster spot was always in jeopardy, and missing the week of practice and the second preseason game won't help his case. Particularly, Laviska Shenault has filled Eskridge's role admirably, working as a returner and a gadget player. Eskridge will need to get healthy quickly and perform well in the final preseason game versus the Browns in order to make the final roster.

Winston caught three of four targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 16-15 preseason loss to the Titans.

Winston started the game and scored on a 23-yard go route from Sam Howell in the first quarter. The 27-year-old now has 77 yards through two preseason games, the most of any Seahawks receiver. Winston is making a good case to earn one of the final roster spots, and his usage as a punt returner works in his favor, too.

Watkins failed to secure his lone target while rushing once for six yards during Saturday's 9-3 preseason loss to the Bills.

Watkins was on the field for 53 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Saturday, but he didn't see many touches during the low-scoring loss. He didn't have any offensive touches during last weekend's preseason opener, and he could have to put together a productive outing during next Saturday's preseason finale against Detroit to bolster his case for a spot on the 53-man roster.