NFL Player News

Cowing brought in all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders.

Cowing continued to impress this preseason with another strong showing after going for 70 combined yards against the Saints last week. The rookie fourth-rounder is making it tough for the 49ers to keep him off the 53-man roster come the Aug. 27 deadline. Cowing has shown explosiveness with the ball in his hands, making him a tantalizing option should he find a path to playing time this season. Currently as things stand, Brandon Aiyuk remains in a contract "hold in" awaiting a trade or a new deal and Jauan Jennings (oblique) and Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) have not played this preseason while nursing injuries. This opens up a potential scenario where Cowing could find himself getting some meaningful snaps out of the gates. Those in deeper formats should take note.

Corley recorded one catch on three targets for five yards in Saturday's 10-6 preseason win over the Giants.

Corley played for the entire first half and appeared regularly in 11 personnel. His play remained inconsistent, as he was called for a holding penalty on the team's first drive and also had a reception reversed for failing to complete the process of the catch. Given his status as a third-round pick, Corley's roster spot should be safe. However, his ability to contribute immediately offensively is far less clear.

Wilson did not play in Saturday's 10-6 preseason win over the Giants.

Along with other key starters for the Jets, Wilson did not suit up at all during the exhibition season. Through two seasons as a pro, Wilson has shown an elite ability to draw targets, but quarterback play has held back his production. That shouldn't be an issue in 2024 assuming Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy, as Wilson will once again operate as the Jets' clear top pass-catching option.

Thompson secured seven of eight targets for 45 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday night.

Thompson led the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night, putting together a fitting cap on what has been a very productive training camp and preseason. The journeyman wideout may have done enough to carve out a spot at the bottom of the team's receiver depth chart after recording 15 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown through three exhibitions, and Rakim Jarrett's (undisclosed) likely placement on IR could clear the path for Thompson to make it past final cutdowns.

McKenzie suffered a right foot injury and also had a laceration on his knee following Saturday's 10-6 preseason loss to the Jets, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

McKenzie recorded two receptions on two targets for 15 yards and was also the team's primary punt returner. The latter role is his potential path to a roster spot, as McKenzie tallied 204 punt return yards and 152 kick return yards in 2023. He's on the roster bubble and will now be set for an MRI in the coming days, another factor that could affect his status with the Giants.

Robinson recorded one reception on one target for four yards in Saturday's preseason 10-6 loss to the Jets.

Robinson's stat line doesn't have much meaning, but the fact that he suited up was not a positive sign of his status on the Giants' roster. The team sat its top four receivers -- all of whom are certain to make the roster -- leaving Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins to start the game. However, with special teams contributors such as Miles Boykin and Isaiah McKenzie (knee/foot) also vying for roster spots, Robinson could be on the wrong side of the bubble.

Hodgins recorded one reception on two targets for three yards in Saturday's 10-6 preseason loss to the Jets.

The Giants rested all four of their top wide receivers, leaving Hodgins and Allen Robinson on the field to begin the game. Tommy DeVito struggled to move the ball through the air, making it difficult to evaluate Hodgins' performance. However, his status on the roster is certainly in question given that he appeared in this game, and the Giants could opt to keep other players at the position ahead of Hodgins given his lack of ability to contribute on special teams.

Toure corralled two of four targets for 28 yards in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Ravens.

Toure got consistent work this preseason in the absence of Green Bay's regular starters, finishing with five receptions for 53 yards and one carry for as many yards. The third-year receiver remains in the mix for one of the Packers' final roster spots as Week 1 approaches.

Heath caught four of five targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason finale versus the Ravens.

Heath was one of several young wideouts to get promoted to the starting lineup in place of resting starters in Saturday's conclusion to exhibition play. The 24-year-old put a bow on a solid preseason as the team's leading receiver, giving him a legitimate shot to make Green Bay's roster or practice squad ahead of the regular season kicking off.

Melton had one reception on two targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason finale against the Ravens.

Melton cashed in one of Green Bay's two passing touchdowns in a 30-7 exhibition win. The 25-year-old had one receiving touchdown across five regular-season games played last season. Melton could find himself in a similar role as a reserve wideout this upcoming season, which is to say he shouldn't warrant much fantasy consideration in standard drafts.