NFL Player News

Brown (head) was cleared to return to Monday night's preseason game against the Ravens.

Brown took a shot to the back of the head in the third quarter and had to be checked for a concussion. He evidently passed the sideline tests.

Brown exited Monday night's preseason game against the Ravens early to be checked for a concussion, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Prior to leaving in the third quarter, Brown was targeted six times and caught two passes for 27 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown from Sam Howell just before halftime. Brown is expected to open the season as the Commanders' fourth wideout.

Samuel caught his lone target for 11 yards in Monday's preseason matchup with Baltimore.

It wasn't the most encouraging performance given that Washington's starters played the entire first half and Sam Howell attempted 25 passes. Of course, it's a small sample against backup defenders in a preseason game, and by most measures Samuel looks like one of the better No. 3 receivers in the league. Fellow wideouts Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin combined for eight catches and 115 yards on 10 targets, though McLaurin did exit early with a toe injury that doesn't initially appear to be too serious. It's also worth noting that Dyami Brown got a decent amount of run with the first-team offense, including a 16-yard TD, though that doesn't necessarily mean he'll chip into Samuel's playing time come Week 1 against Arizona.

Bowden caught two of his three targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 22-17 preseason victory over the Chargers.

Bowden caught back-to-back passes on the Saints' third offensive series, including a 32-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass from quarterback Jameis Winston. Additionally, the 25-year-old wideout handled return duties for the Saints, totaling two kickoff returns for 41 yards while also fielding four punts for 13 yards and a fair catch. Bowden's ability to create yards after catch combined with his value as a potential returner could go a long way toward carving out a role with New Orleans heading into the regular season.

Dotson caught five of seven targets for 76 yards in Monday's preseason game against Baltimore.

Washington's first-team offense played the entire first half, putting up 17 points on four drives with QB Sam Howell throwing for 188 yards and two TDs. Dotson was the only player to see more than four targets in the half, and he accounted for 40 percent of Howell's yardage while doing his damage on short and intermediate throws. The 2022 first-round pick was more of a big-play threat than a volume guy as a rookie, though that changed somewhat over the final month of the season, portending a possible Year 2 breakout. The extended playing time Monday likely means Dotson will be held out of the final preseason game in preparation for a Week 1 home matchup with Arizona.

The Broncos signed Hammond on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Hammond was in the XFL earlier this year, catching 34 passes for 331 yards and one touchdown for the DC Defenders. The 25-year-old last appeared in an NFL game back in 2021 with the Jaguars when he saw action on 13 offensive snaps across two games. He's yet to catch a regular-season pass.

McLaurin exited Monday night's preseason game against the Ravens with a right toe injury.

X-rays on McLaurin's toe were negative, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. McLaurin had his right foot trapped underneath him a bit late in the first half, limped to the sideline and eventually was taken to the locker room. It sounds like McLaurin avoided a serious injury. Prior to leaving, he caught all three of his targets for 39 yards. With just one game to go during exhibition season, McLaurin likely will make it his goal to be ready for Week 1.

McLaurin (foot) went to the locker room near the end of the second quarter of Monday's preseason game versus the Ravens, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

McLaurin had his right foot and ankle examined before he made his way off the field. Prior to his departure, he gathered in all three of his targets for 39 yards while working with starting quarterback Sam Howell.

Dortch hauled in one of three targets for 10 yards and returned two punts for four yards during Saturday's 38-10 preseason defeat to the Chiefs.

Dortch broke out with a 52-467-2 line on 64 targets in 16 games last season, partly due to numerous injuries affecting the Cardinals' receiving corps. The campaign featured highs (four games of 50-plus yards) and lows (10 outings with less than 20 yards). With DeAndre Hopkins moving on this offseason, Dortch will be vying for targets with Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and rookie third-round pick Michael Wilson at wide receiver in 2023.

Flowers played one drive and caught both of his targets for 37 yards and a touchdown in Monday's preseason game at Washington.

Playing with Baltimore's backups against a Washington defense that used only three or four projected starters, Flowers caught a pair of short passes and avoided a tackle on both plays en route to gains of 11 and 26 (TD). He did his damage while lined up across from fellow rookie first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes, who otherwise played well in the first half. Flowers is locked in as one of Baltimore's top three WRs to start the regular season, and he could even be the first or second option if Odell Beckham and/or Rashod Bateman struggle to regain form after prolonged absences. It's unclear if Flowers will play in the preseason finale against Tampa Bay on Saturday, but he should get a lot of snaps Week 1 when the Ravens host the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 10.