NFL Player News

Virgil was diagnosed with a torn meniscus that will require full meniscus surgery, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Virgil injured his knee on the final play of the first half of Denver's loss to San Francisco on Saturday and will be out a few months at the very least. The 25-year-old signed as an undrafted free agent last year and appeared in two games during the 2022 campaign, catching two of his five targets for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Virgil had an MRI on his knee Sunday, and the team is awaiting the results, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Virgil suffered the injury during Saturday's preseason contest with the 49ers and was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the game. The 25-year-old was likely on the bubble as far as making the 53-man roster, so good news on the MRI would be especially important for the Appalachian State product.

Thompson injured his shoulder in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Thompson suffered the injury while making a 32-yard catch near the sidelines, where he "banged his shoulder," according to head coach Pete Carroll. The 27-year-old will now work to get healthy, so he can return to the field and continue his attempt to make the team's 53-man roster.

Metchie caught one of two targets for five yards in Saturday's 28-3 preseason loss to the Dolphins. He also returned one kickoff for 12 yards.

With Tank Dell (leg) sidelined, Metchie and Noah Brown were given opportunities to showcase themselves. Brown was on the field for Houston's first two drives before Metchie entered the game in the second quarter. On the kickoff return, Metchie fielded a squib kick as an up-man, and it does not appear the Texans are considering him for a return role. That indicates Metchie needs to make the team as a wideout, where the 2022 second-round draft pick is competing with Brown, Dell and Xavier Hutchinson behind the top two receivers on the depth chart, Nico Collins and Robert Woods.

Brown caught one of three targets for 14 yards in Saturday's 28-3 preseason loss to Miami.

Brown didn't get on the field for Houston's preseason opener last week against New England, but he took on a prominent role Saturday with Tank Dell sidelined due to a leg injury. Brown was on the field for the Texans' first possession, which began at the Miami seven-yard line, and targeted twice on the team's second possession, Houston's only scoring drive. All of his target activity was in the first half with C.J. Stroud at quarterback.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that Moore (ribs) is expected to resume practicing, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Moore suffered a rib injury Aug. 11 and was diagnosed as day-to-day. If he's indeed able to get back on the practice field Sunday and handle more than individual drills, which he resumed participating in Tuesday, Moore could have a chance at gaining clearance in time to suit up for Cleveland's preseason finale in Kansas City this coming Saturday.

Aiyuk hauled in his lone target for 15 yards in Saturday's 21-20 preseason win over Denver.

Aiyuk got his first taste of action this preseason along with the rest of the starting wideouts Saturday. San Francisco also welcomed back starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) from injury, who found Aiyuk for a 15-yard gain on the first-team offense's lone drive. The 2020 first-round pick blossomed into a reliable fantasy option last season after posting a career-best 78-1,015-8 receiving line across 17 games. Deebo Samuel is still the 49ers' top option at wide receiver, but Aiyuk could narrow that gap if he takes another step forward heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.

Smith-Njigba brought in all three targets for 58 yards in the Seahawks' 22-14 preseason win over the Cowboys on Saturday.

The rookie first-round pick tied for the team lead in receptions while setting the pace in receiving yards. Smith-Njigba did most of his damage on a game-long 48-yard grab, which came on a pass from Drew Lock on Seattle's third possession and took the ball to the Cowboys' one-yard line. Despite the narrowly missed scoring opportunity -- DeeJay Dallas punched it in from one yard out on the next play -- it was a second straight successful exhibition showing for the Ohio State product, who also recorded three catches in the preseason opener versus the Vikings.

Lockett (undisclosed) brought in his only target for six yards in the Seahawks' 22-14 preseason win over the Cowboys on Saturday night.

The veteran wideout had worked through some tightness earlier in training camp, but he was healthy enough to make his preseason debut Saturday. Lockett's one catch came on Seattle's first drive as he worked with starting quarterback Geno Smith, and it remains to be seen if either of the duo will play in next Saturday afternoon's exhibition finale versus the Packers.

Tolbert brought in four of six targets for 66 yards in the Cowboys' 22-14 preseason loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night.

Last year's third-round pick continued to offer hints he may be capable of putting a washout of a rookie season behind with his second straight impressive exhibition performance. The South Alabama product led the Cowboys in receptions, receiving yards and targets, pushing his line to 6-95-1 this preseason. Tolbert is essentially assured of a roster spot already, but another strong effort in the preseason finale against the Raiders next Saturday night could raise expectations of what he'll be capable of as the team's presumptive No. 4 receiver.