NFL Player News

Watts secured his lone target for nine yards during Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Texans.

After spending most of last season with the Steelers' practice squad, Watts signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January. However, he didn't make much of an impact during Friday's preseason opener, with his lone reception coming with just under a minute remaining in the matchup. It seems unlikely that he'll make the Steelers' 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign, but it's possible he winds up on the practice squad in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.

Fitzpatrick secured his lone target for 34 yards during Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to Houston.

Fitzpatrick signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers in January, and he made a flashy play during Friday's preseason opener with a 34-yard reception in the second quarter, the team's second-longest play of the night. He spent the entire 2023 season on Pittsburgh's practice squad and faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the team's 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign, even after the Steelers lost Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin during the offseason.

Washington secured three of nine targets for 27 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Friday night. He also recovered a fumble.

While he posted an inefficient line overall, Washington was the subject of plenty of attention from the Falcons' quarterbacks while garnering team-high reception and target totals. The rookie sixth-round pick was the beneficiary of so much opportunity thanks in large part to Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud all being held out of action, but Washington should still get an opportunity to make his case for a roster spot during the Falcons' second exhibition game against the Ravens on Aug. 17.

Walker failed to bring in his only target in Friday's 16-13 preseason loss to the Eagles.

The Ravens sat out most of their top offensive personnel, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and wideouts Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman (undisclosed), but Walker still didn't see his only target until the third quarter and couldn't connect with No. 3 QB Devin Leary on the pass. Walker, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will look for a chance to make a bigger impact in a Saturday, Aug. 17 exhibition against the Falcons, but his usage in the Ravens' preseason opener doesn't suggest he'll have a big role when the regular season begins.

Washington rushed once for 21 yards, hauled in one of four targets for five yards, returned two kickoffs for 46 yards and ran back four punts for 21 yards in the Dolphins' 20-13 preseason win over the Falcons on Friday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

The rookie sixth-round pick had impressed during joint practices with the Falcons this week, and he was able to carry some of that momentum into Friday night's preseason opener. Washington wasn't able to maximize his opportunities through the air, but he flashed with his work as a rusher and on returns. The night was a positive initial step overall in Washington's quest for a roster spot, and he should see his fair share of touches again in the Dolphins' second exhibition game versus the Commanders on Aug. 17.

Collins wasn't targeted in Friday's 20-12 preseason win over the Steelers.

Collins played the first two drives along with the rest of Houston's starters, but neither he nor new teammate Stefon Diggs saw a target while Tank Dell scored a 34-yard touchdown. Even with numerous mouths to feed in the passing game, Collins figures to play a prominent role in 2024 after breaking out with 1,297 receiving yards during the 2023 regular season. Collins and the Texans will host the Giants a week from Saturday in the third of Houston's four preseason games.

Diggs wasn't targeted in Friday's 20-12 preseason win over the Steelers.

Diggs made his Texans debut as Houston's top offensive starters mixed in for two drives after sitting out the Hall of Fame Game last week. Neither Diggs nor Nico Collins were targeted in this game, while QB C.J. Stroud linked up with Tank Dell for a 34-yard touchdown. All three of Diggs, Collins and Dell figure to play significant roles in Houston's receiving corps come the regular season, but they may continue to be eased in during Houston's next preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 17.

Dell scored a 34-yard touchdown on his only target in Friday's 20-12 preseason win over the Steelers. He also returned one punt for 22 yards.

Dell found a seam down the field then broke away from a pack of Pittsburgh defenders to get into the end zone on his only reception. It was encouraging to see the second-year wide receiver suit up after a fractured fibula cut his rookie season short in Week 13, and even more encouraging that Dell looked like his usual explosive self on his touchdown catch. Houston's starters played only two drives Friday, but he may see more run in a preseason matchup with the Giants a week from Saturday.

Pickens caught both of his targets for 25 yards in Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Texans.

Pittsburgh's starters played only one quarter, but Pickens showed a nice rapport with Justin Fields, who started at quarterback with Russell Wilson getting the night off. Regardless of who is under center for the Steelers come Week 1, Pickens is primed to lead Pittsburgh's receiving corps. The Steelers have two more preseason games left before then, including a Saturday, Aug. 17 matchup versus the Bills.

Gould has been used with the first-team offense in the slot at times during training camp and has made a strong impression, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

The 2024 fifth-round draft pick was seen mostly as a candidate for special teams, as he's also competing for the punt-return job (he was an elite punt returner at Oregon State). However, it looks like he could be in the receiver mix, which may have openings for playing time if Josh Downs misses regular-season games with a high-ankle sprain.