NFL Player News

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Saturday that Metcalf (undisclosed) will be "hard pressed to work this week" in training camp practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Metcalf is working through an unspecified injury, and he joined fellow wideout Michael Pittman (leg) on the sidelines for the Steelers' preseason opener against the Packers on Thursday. It looks like both Metcalf and Pittman are facing uphill battles to return to practice this week, making it unlikely that either of them suit up for this Friday's exhibition contest against the Jets.

Smith did not participate in Saturday's training-camp practice due to an unspecified injury, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

Smith appeared to sustain the injury while on punt coverage during the Steelers' 28-9 preseason win over the Packers on Thursday. His practice participation over the coming week will determine whether he'll be cleared to play in the Steelers' second exhibition game against the Jets on Friday.

Mims (undisclosed) did not play in the Broncos' 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons on Friday.

Mims is working through an undisclosed injury and joined fellow wideouts Jaylen Waddle (leg) and Michael Bandy on the sidelines for Friday's preseason opener. Once he's cleared to practice fully, Mims will resume competing against Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin for the WR3 role behind Waddle and Courtland Sutton. Even if he's relegated to WR4 or WR5, Mims should still see the field plenty as a returner on kickoffs and punts.

McMillan (knee) did not play in Friday's 26-14 preseason win over the Jets.

McMillan has been working through a knee issue over the past couple of weeks, and he joined fellow wideouts Emeka Egbuka (toe), Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson (groin), Kameron Johnson and David Sills on the sidelines for Friday's exhibition game. McMillan has been cleared to participate in individual drills in practice, but it remains to be seen whether he's available for the Buccaneers' second preseason game against the Chiefs on Saturday, Aug. 22. With Mike Evans now in San Francisco, McMillan is projected to serve as Tampa Bay's WR3 behind Egbuka and Godwin.

Williams brought in one of three targets for 16 yards in the Commanders' 20-7 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.

The rookie third-round pick has been impressing in camp and even receiving some limited first-team reps, so his busy and productive night Friday relative to playing time wasn't surprising. Williams outperformed Luke McCaffrey (zero catches on two targets), who's directly above him on the Commanders' unofficial depth chart, against the Dolphins, and it remains to be seen if the Clemson product can keep pushing his veteran teammate in Washington's second preseason game on the road against the Lions on Saturday, Aug. 22.

McCaffrey failed to bring in either of his two targets in the Commanders' 20-7 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.

McCaffrey played most of the first half but couldn't corral either of the two passes Sam Hartman directed his way. The 2024 third-round pick, who saw his 2025 campaign cut short by a broken collarbone, is in the midst of a pivotal training camp for his future with the franchise, as there are experienced options beneath him such as Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Jaylin Lane and Van Jefferson.

Tolbert secured one of three targets for 27 yards in the Dolphins' 20-7 preseason loss to the Commanders on Friday.

Tolbert, who currently slots in as the No. 2 receiver on the Dolphins' unofficial depth chart, made his one reception on Miami's second drive of the night after Quinn Ewers had replaced Malik Willis under center. Tolbert showed some promise two seasons ago with the Cowboys when he posted a career-best 49-610-7 line on 79 targets over 17 regular-season games, but a downturn in 2025 led to his availability this offseason. Tolbert should have a good chance of garnering a meaningful role in his new Miami digs this season if he can continue impressing this summer, given the Dolphins' dearth of proven options at the position.

Washington brought in all three targets for 15 yards in the Dolphins' 20-7 preseason loss to the Commanders on Friday.

The third-year pro's catch total led the Dolphins on the night, as Washington opened the game with the first-team offense and recorded his first two catches, which netted 12 yards, on Miami's first two plays from scrimmage. Washington supplied a career-best 46 receptions in 2025, and he currently heads up Miami's wide-receiver depth chart heading into the Dolphins' second preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 22 at home against the Giants.

Douglas secured one of two targets for 28 yards in the Dolphins' 20-7 preseason loss to the Commanders on Friday.

The rookie third-round pick opened the game with the starting offense and was targeted incomplete deep on Malik Willis' third pass attempt of the night. However, Willis went right back to Douglas on his next dropback, and the duo connected for a 28-yard gain on third down to put the ball in Commanders territory. Douglas brings impressive size and speed and has been running with the first-team offense in recent training camp practices, and Friday's cameo certainly continued to buttress his case for a sizable role right out of the gate in his NFL career.

Branch caught two of four targets for six yards and added a three-yard run in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos. He also had a six-yard punt return.

Branch didn't gain much yardage in his NFL debut, but the Falcons made a concerted effort to get the ball into his hands. The speedy Branch is expected to work as a return man on special teams for the Falcons in addition to contributing on offense, where he's battling Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus for depth-chart slotting at wide receiver behind Drake London. Branch will look to strengthen his case for regular-season playing time in Atlanta's second preseason game against the Colts on Aug. 22.