NFL Player News

Irwin is competing with Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones for the No. 3 receiver spot as the Bengals' preseason opener approaches, Geoff Hobson of the team's official site reports.

While Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are entrenched as the Bengals' top two wideouts, Hobson suggests that the team could employ a committee approach behind the top duo. In addition to Irwin, Iosivas and Jones, 2024 third-rounder Jermaine Burton also should have a chance to enter the WR3 equation. On the team's initial posted unofficial depth chart, Irwin is listed behind Chase and Higgins, but that's presumably attributable to his status as a veteran. In any case, based on perceived upside and ADP, Burton and Iosivas appear to be next up on the radar of fantasy drafters in terms of Cincinnati wide receivers.

Toney (ankle) returned to practice Monday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Toney left practice last Wednesday with an ankle injury, but the 2021 first-rounder's return to the field Monday bodes well for his chances of being available for Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars. He's coming off a 2023 regular season in which he caught 27 of his 38 targets for 169 yards and a TD to go along with 11 carries for 31 yards in 13 contests. While Toney still has a chance to claim a role in the Chiefs' re-tooled wideout corps in 2024, at this stage Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy profile as the team's most fantasy-relevant options at the position.

Coach Dave Canales said Monday that Legette (foot) remains day-to-day but is not expected to suit up for Thursday's preseason contest against the Patriots, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Legette left Sunday's practice early with a foot injury, but Canales says the team got "fantastic" news after an MRI revealed no fracture, per Joe Person of The Athletic. The rookie first-round pick will still likely need to wait to make his preseason debut, but the 'day-to-day' label inspires confidence that Legette will be back to full strength without missing much time. Legette is competing for a chance to open the year as a top-3 wideout alongside Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, with 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo and 2021 second-round pick Terrace Marshall representing his top competition.

Wilson has "pushed his way into the competition" for Philadelphia's No. 3 receiver role, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.com.

Parris Campbell (groin) opened camp as the No. 3 receiver with the first-team offense, but the Eagles have also given Wilson, John Ross and Britain Covey some opportunities there. Campbell's groin injury could open up the competition even further, and McManus notes that coaches have hinted at using a rotation rather than locking in one player as the third WR. In any case, it's a role that doesn't figure to come with many targets unless A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith misses time with an injury. Wilson is an unusual prospect and one of the largest WRs in the league, coming in as a 2024 sixth-round pick after running a 4.53 40 at the Combine at 6-foot-6, 231 pounds.

Claypool (toe) did side work with trainers during Sunday's practice, Alex Brasky of the Batavia Daily News reports.

Claypool has now missed a full week of practice but seems to be progressing toward a return. He's more likely to be left off the 53-man roster than earn regular playing time at wide receiver, but the 26-year-old could get a chance down the road this season if he manages to stick around beyond August.

Jefferson has taken most of the first-team reps in two-wide formations during training camp, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Jefferson was billed as the favorite for the No. 2 WR job heading into camp, albeit with competition for roles appearing wide open beyond runaway No. 1 receiver George Pickens. Rookie third-round pick Roman Wilson is considered week-to-week after injuring his ankle July 30, and third-year pro Calvin Austin seems like a better bet for the No. 3 role given that he's one of the smallest players in the league (listed at 5-foot-9, 162 pounds). Jefferson thus has a nice opportunity to earn a starting job, although that might entail a lot more blocking than catching passes under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Jefferson's 345 snaps under Smith in Atlanta last season yielded only 28 targets and a 12-101-0 line.

Wicks took only six of a possible 26 snaps with the first-team offense during the Packers' Family Night practice Saturday, Justin Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co. reports.

Romeo Doubs led the WRs with 21 first-team snaps, followed by Christian Watson (19) and Jayden Reed (16). It's only one practice, but this adds to the concerns about Wicks not getting regular playing time despite making the most of his limited opportunities as a rookie. The 2023 fifth-round pick led the Packers in yards per target (10.0) and yards per route (2.13) last season, putting up a 39-581-4 line on just 58 targets, 273 routes and 458 snaps over 15 regular-season games. In different circumstances, Wicks might now slot in as a comfortable starter with a full workload. His current reality, however, is that the Packers' impressive depth at wide receiver means he'll have to continue battling for snaps.

Hyatt has been getting more first-team reps than Darius Slayton (undisclosed) during training camp, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

This seems to at least partially be a product of Slayton managing a minor injury, but it's nonetheless a nice opportunity for Hyatt on the heels of a disappointing rookie season. The 2023 third-round pick caught 23 of 40 targets for 373 yards in 17 regular-season games last year, averaging 16.2 yards per catch while drawing a target on just 10.6 percent of routes. He'll need to draw targets at a much higher rate to achieve mainstream fantasy relevance, which could be a challenge if fellow WRs Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson develop as the Giants hope. On the other hand, a lack of established options at TE and RB could push a huge portion of the team's targets toward the WRs.

McConkey (undisclosed) left Saturday's practice early and didn't participate Sunday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

McConkey previously missed a practice Thursday but then returned Friday, only to come up limping during Saturday's session. He left with a trainer and missed the rest of the weekend, with coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledging that McConkey is "working through something" but declining to elaborate any further. The rookie second-round pick has worked with the first-team offense throughout most of training camp, reportedly taking a lot of his snaps from the slot.

The 49ers aren't likely to trade Aiyuk for only draft picks but may be willing to deal him if a veteran wide receiver is part of the return, Matt Maiocco of the NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The problem then becomes that most teams with quality WRs aren't looking to trade them for a player who is in his contract year and holding out for a massive new deal. Maiocco mentions the Browns (and Amari Cooper) as a possible exception, along with the Patriots (and Kendrick Bourne), though the latter wouldn't come anywhere close to making up for the loss of Aiyuk. For now, Aiyuk remains a "hold in" at 49ers training camp, limited to attending meetings and watching practices. Contract negotiations are ongoing, as has seemingly been the case for much of the spring and summer.