NFL Player News

Nacua could step into a top-three role at wide receiver if Cooper Kupp (hamstring) isn't ready for Week 1 at Seattle, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

The Rams don't have much else behind Kupp at wide receiver, with Nacua joined by Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek and Demarcus Robinson. The report suggests Nacua likely would play ahead of Skowronek and Robinson, two veterans with experience as NFL starters but not much in the way of receiving production. It sounds like Nacua, a rookie fifth-round pick, will be only fourth or fifth on the depth chart if Kupp is able to play.

Skowronek may get most of his playing time on special teams this season, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.

Skowronek has been with the team for a few years and knows all the receiver positions in Sean McVay's offense, but the Rams prefer to keep him as a depth guy and get more speed/playmaking in the starting lineup. Cooper Kupp's lingering hamstring injury offers a path for Skowronek to play more on offense, though even then he might be just the fourth receiver behind Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua.

Williams (suspension) has a "plan in place" to rehab his hamstring injury until Week 4 when he can work with team doctors again, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

Williams has been barred from the team facility since Tuesday and can't rejoin the Lions until the start of Week 4 (Tues., Sept. 26) or play in a game until Week 7 (Oct. 22 at BAL). A hamstring injury cut his preseason short after a 2-18-0 receiving line on seven targets in the opener, but it shouldn't end up impacting his regular season given that he's suspended for the first six games anyway. The Lions discussed a rehab plan with Williams' agent for the four weeks he's away from the team.

Arias (concussion) joined the Cardinals' practice squad Friday, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Arias underwent evaluation for a concussion after the Cardinals' preseason game against the Vikings, but it seems as if he's had time to move past the issue. The young wideout was cut by the team Wednesday after making the initial 53-man roster in order to make room for a waiver claim. Arias went undrafted out of Colorado after recording 309 yards on 19 receptions in his final year of college.

The Broncos signed Sills to their practice squad Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Sills spent the past four seasons with the Giants but will now head to Denver to join its practice squad. The 27-year-old appeared in 13 games across the past two seasons, catching 13 of 23 targets for 123 yards, and could now provide depth for the Broncos as they are currently banged up at the position.

Fehoko signed with the Steelers' practice squad Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Fehoko was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday, and he will now head to Pittsburgh ahead of the 2023 campaign. The wide receiver appeared in five games with Dallas in 2022, reeling in three catches for 24 yards over 34 offensive snaps.

The 49ers signed Conley (shoulder) to their practice squad Wednesday.

Conley strained the AC joint in his shoulder during the 49ers' preseason finale and didn't make the team's initial 53-man roster. However, the veteran wideout appears to be fine and will serve as a depth option on San Francisco's practice squad to start 2023. The 2015 third-round pick set career highs with Jacksonville in 2019, totaling 47 catches for 775 yards and five scores, but his production has dropped every year since.

Washington signed with the Chiefs' practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Washington was waived by the Broncos on Tuesday, and he will now head to Kansas City. The wide receiver was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Denver, and he appeared in 15 games in his rookie campaign, reeling in four catches for two yards while turning five carries into 30 yards on the ground. Notably, Washington also combined to record 611 yards as both a kick and punt returner last year.

The 49ers signed Winstead to their practice squad Wednesday.

A rookie UDFA, Winstead didn't make the 49ers' initial 53-man roster after catching all four of his targets for 54 yards across two preseason contests. The 6-foot-4 wideout will get a chance to continue his development with the 49ers, but he's unlikely to see an elevation barring numerous injuries to San Francisco's wideout corps.

The 49ers signed Snead to their practice squad Wednesday.

Snead made four appearances for the 49ers last year, playing 68 total snaps (30 offensive). Heading into his age-31 season, the veteran wideout has a plethora of experience, especially on special teams, but he hasn't finished with more than 35 receiving yards since 2020.