NFL Player News

Chase (contract dispute) isn't practicing Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Chase practiced Sunday for the first time this summer, with head coach Zac Taylor then noting Tuesday that he expects the wide receiver to play Week 1 against New England. Chase is present at Wednesday's practice but only as an observer in street clothes, adding the latest layer of intrigue 12 days before Cincinnati's season opener. Bengals owner Mike Brown said in July that the team would "bend over backwards" to sign Chase to an extension, but Brown also cautioned that it might take some time to work out a deal. The 24-year-old has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, including a fifth-year option for $21.82 million in 2025.

Hodge made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Hodge is back for a third season in Atlanta, and his role isn't expected to change much. He played a career-high 358 offensive snaps in 2023 but had similar production to his first year with the Falcons when he put up a 13-202-1 line. Hodge moves down the WR pecking order after the additions of Ray-Ray McCloud and Darnell Mooney, but will remain a key special-teams player for Atlanta in 2024.

The Bears placed Pettis on injured reserve Tuesday with an undisclosed injury, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.

With no designation to return, the only way Pettis can play this season is if he reaches an injury settlement and gets released by the Bears. He scored a pair of touchdowns during the preseason but isn't likely to be more than a fifth or sixth wideout even if he gets healthy at some point soon.

Downs (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Downs hasn't practiced since suffering a high-ankle sprain Aug. 7, which was 32 days before the Colts' Sept. 8 season opener against Houston. Head coach Shane Steichen said Sunday that he's hopeful Downs will be available for the season opener, but the wideout's continued absences from practice suggest he's in danger of sitting out. Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell both had full-time roles on the first-team offense this preseason alongside No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.

Thrash made the Browns' initial 53-man roster Tuesday.

Thrash, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick out of Louisville, was one of six wideouts on the Browns' first 53-man roster, beating out Michael Woods and James Proche for a spot. He ended the preseason on a high note with a 46-yard touchdown reception last week and caught 10 of 16 targets for 141 yards over three preseason contests.

Sims made the Texans' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Sims was one of seven wide receivers to claim a roster spot, and his ability to contribute as a return man in the main reason. The 27-year-old, who returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown during last season's playoff loss to the Ravens, averaged 12.3 yards on four punt returns and 23.7 yards on three kick returns in 2023.

Valdes-Scantling (neck) has made Buffalo's initial 53-man roster, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.

Valdes-Scantling was no lock to make the roster, but head coach Sean McDermott expressed optimism last week that the veteran wideout has a good chance of being ready for Week 1. When the Bills made their cutdown decisions, the team had a desire to keep a downfield threat on the roster, which helped Valdes-Scantling secure a spot. Despite his standing on the roster, Valdes-Scantling isn't guaranteed to be active Week 1 against the Cardinals, and even if he does suit up, he'll likely be the fifth receiver on the depth chart to start the season.

Ngata (ankle) was waived with an injury designation by the Eagles on Tuesday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Ngata is dealing with an ankle injury. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, he'll revert to Philadelphia's injured reserve. The wide receiver reeled in five receptions for 88 yards during the preseason.

Detroit released Kennedy on Tuesday.

Kennedy has bounced between Detroit's practice squad and active roster since coming into the league in 2019, but he didn't get into any regular-season games last season after playing in 19 contests across 2021 and 2022. Though the Lions' wideout corps is currently thin, the 28-year-old wasn't able to land a spot on the 53-man roster after catching six of nine targets for 44 yards during preseason play.

Gray (undisclosed) was waived by the 49ers on Tuesday.

Gray was held out of practice with an undisclosed issue Wednesday, and it's unclear if he was waived with an injury designation Tuesday. If he was ultimately waived/injured, then the 2022 third-round pick will hit waivers before reverting to San Francisco's IR if he goes unclaimed. If his waiver didn't include an injury designation, he'll become eligible to sign with a new team if he's not picked up off waivers. Gray did not appear in a game last season after being sidelined on IR with a shoulder injury until late December.