NFL Player News

Rice brought in eight of nine targets for 96 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-10 preseason win over the Cardinals on Saturday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

The rookie second-round pick enjoyed a breakout performance, especially by preseason standards. Rice's receiving line comfortably led the Chiefs across the board, and only one of his receptions actually came in conjunction with Patrick Mahomes. Rice's big workload isn't necessarily a reflection of what might be expected during the regular season, but as he demonstrated Saturday, he certainly has no shortage of upside in a Mahomes-helmed offense that spreads the ball around.

Hardman brought in both targets for seven yards in the Jets' 13-6 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday night.

Hardman's pair of grabs were his first as a member of the Jets. The speedy offseason addition appears to finally be healthy after last year's core muscle injury, and come the regular season, he figures to fill a key complementary downfield role alongside Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.

Lazard brought in one of two targets for 16 yards in the Jets' 13-6 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday night.

Lazard got some work in early with Zach Wilson and made his first official catch as a Jet in the process. The former Packers battery mate of new Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers figures to have for an elevated role come the regular season, and he could sit out next Saturday night's preseason finale versus the Giants after also having suited up in the first quarter of last week's win over the Panthers.

Palmer brought in his only target for a 33-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday night. He also returned one kickoff for 22 yards.

The rookie's stock already theoretically went up this past week with the season-ending knee injury suffered by Russell Gage, which came just days after Palmer put together a solid 4-33-1 line in his pro debut. The sixth-round pick followed that up with another trip to the end zone Saturday night, one that came with Palmer making a remarkable catch in which he tipped the ball to himself in the end zone while in tight coverage. Palmer appears to naturally be a lock for a roster spot, and his recent trajectory suggests he might have a chance of clawing his way into the No. 3 role with another strong showing in next Saturday night's preseason finale against the Ravens.

Diggs recorded two receptions on five targets for 22 yards in Saturday's 27-15 preseason loss to the Steelers.

Diggs played three series with Josh Allen and quickly racked up five targets. He was inefficient with the opportunity, though the proven rapport between the duo means there's no cause for concern. Diggs will likely take the field next for a Week 1 matchup against the Jets.

Wicks left Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots with a hamstring injury, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

After catching three passes for 68 yards on four targets in the preseason opener last week, Wicks wasn't targeted against New England prior to leaving with his injury. The fifth-round rookie is expected to win one of the final receiver spots in Green Bay.

Virgil left Saturday's preseason game against the 49ers with a knee injury, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Virgil was injured at the end of a 50-yard catch. He needed help to the sideline before he eventually hopped on a cart to the locker room. Undrafted out of Appalachian State last year, Virgil caught two passes for 75 yards and one touchdown across nine games as a rookie.

Jackson exited Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings with a knee injury, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson went undrafted out of Georgia earlier this year. He caught two of three targets for 24 yards in the preseason opener last week but wasn't targeted against Minnesota prior to his injury.

Woods made his preseason debut with Houston on Saturday, catching his lone target for 11 yards in a 28-3 exhibition loss to Miami.

Woods started alongside Nico Collins (2-21-0) as expected following the offseason trade of Brandin Cooks to Dallas. The 31-year-old is hoping to bounce back from a career-worst 31-yard per-game average with the Titans in 2022. Perhaps Woods will be a better fit in the Texans' new-look offense, but we will have to see quick results after last year left a sour taste in fantasy managers' mouths.

Nixon suffered a shoulder injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Packers.

Prior to leaving, Nixon failed to catch any of his three targets. In the preseason opener, Nixon drew a team-high six targets, catching four passes for 24 scoreless yards. Nixon is competing for one of the final receiver spots in New England.