NFL Player News

Franklin has made solid progress ahead of the 2024 season, and head coach Sean Payton is pleased with where he is at in his development, Nick Kosmider of the Athletic reports.

Franklin had an underwhelming training camp and preseason after the Broncos traded up in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select him. The rookie wideout failed to record a single catch in his first two preseason games, but he did show flashes as a deep threat at certain points in camp. Despite Franklin's inconsistent start, Payton stated that "he has rare speed and he's very comfortable catching an in-route and then, all of a sudden, he's taking it for a big gain." Both his big-play potential and his connection with Bo Nix, his college quarterback, could afford the 21-year-old the opportunity to see some playing time as a rookie, especially if there are injuries within Denver's wide receiver corps during the season. With that said, Franklin will likely have an uphill battle for consistent usage behind Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims when all three are healthy.

Sutton is set to be the Broncos' unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver for the 2024 campaign and has made improvements to his game this offseason, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Entering the 2024 season, Sutton is on track to operate as Denver's top receiver while serving as a reliable target for rookie quarterback Bo Nix. According to Kosmider, the veteran pass catcher often "looked like Nix's security blanket at times during training camp." A developing connection between Sutton and Nix would serve the 28-year-old wideout well for fantasy purposes, as his elevated role in the offense should lead to consistent opportunities. Head coach Sean Payton understands Sutton's impact on the Broncos' success, stating "I would say he is important, and I think he knows that." While becoming more comfortable in Payton's system, the 6-foot-4, 216-pounder has worked to fine-tune his technique as a receiver, stating "I feel like this year, so far, I have been seeing so much more of an improvement in my route detail and my route technique." Based on his skill development and comfort within the scheme, Sutton figures to be a key piece of Denver's passing attack this season.

The Browns signed Griffin to the practice squad Thursday.

Griffin was unable to make the Raiders' 53-man roster as the primary returner on special teams. He'll now head to Cleveland, where he will stay ready for an elevation to the active roster.

The 49ers and Aiyuk reached an agreement on a four-year, $120 million extension Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The long offseason and preseason saga surrounding Aiyuk has now reached its conclusion, with the wide receiver reportedly getting $76 million in guaranteed money to stay in the Bay Area. Now that he's locked in with the 49ers for the foreseeable future, he'll be looking to uphold his standard as a 1,000-yard option in San Francisco's offense, something that he's accomplished in both of the past two campaigns.

Toure signed with the Bears' practice squad Thursday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Toure failed to make the Packers' initial 53-man roster Tuesday and has since opted to sign with the Bears' practice squad. The 2022 seventh-round pick out of Nebraska spent the first two seasons of his career in Green Bay, appearing in 22 regular-season games and recording 160 receiving yards on 13 receptions, with one touchdown.

The Vikings signed Scott to their practice squad Thursday.

Scott fell short of making the Colts' initial 53-man roster before inking a deal to join the Vikings' practice squad Thursday. The Maine product was used all over the field during his final collegiate season in 2022, rushing 39 times for 371 yards and four touchdowns while also catching 42 passes for 434 yards and an additional touchdown.

Cain was cut from the Bills' practice squad Thursday.

The Clemson product signed with the Bills' practice squad Wednesday but has already been dropped to make room for Jalen Virgil. Cain last appeared in a regular-season game in 2020 with the Steelers, playing just 10 offensive snaps and failing to record a stat.

The Dolphins signed Chosen to the practice squad Thursday.

Chosen appeared in nine regular-season games for the Dolphins in 2023, during which he accrued four catches (on six targets) for 126 yards and one touchdown. He signed with the 49ers in early August to battle for a depth wide receiver spot, but he was ultimately left off the final 53-man roster. Chosen's familiarity with the Dolphins' offense should provide him an opportunity to be elevated to the active roster at some point during the upcoming season.

Wilson was absent from Eagles' practice Thursday as he remains in the league's concussion protocols, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Wilson has been in protocols since Aug. 13 after sustaining a concussion during the Eagles' joint practice with the Patriots. That kept him out of the two remaining preseason games and will keep him out of practice until he is able to pass the necessary benchmarks set by the league. It's unclear whether Wilson will be cleared ahead of the Eagles' regular-season opener against the Packers on Sept. 6. The rookie sixth-round pick is currently slated as Philadelphia's fourth wide receiver on the depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and new acquisition Jahan Dotson.

Coker signed with the Panthers' practice squad Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Coker fell victim to the Panthers' waiver claims, having made the team's initial 53-man roster before being waived Wednesday. However, he's returned to Carolina's practice squad and could very well be elevated to the team's active roster at some point this season.