NFL Player News

Aiyuk is in uniform for Saturday's preseason contest versus the Broncos, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Brock Purdy expected to see his first game action since he injured his right throwing elbow in last season's NFC Championship Game loss in Philadelphia, he's slated to have his top two wide receivers available in Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. In the upcoming campaign, Aiyuk will be looking to replicate his breakout 2022 in which he hauled in 78 passes for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 contests.

Samuel is in uniform for Saturday's preseason contest against the Broncos, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Brock Purdy slated to see his first game action since he injured his right throwing elbow in last season's NFC Championship Game loss at Philadelphia, he's expected to have his top two wide receivers available in Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. In the coming campaign, Samuel will be looking to bounce back after managing just 864 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in 13 appearances in 2022.

Hill caught his lone target for 13 yards in Saturday's preseason win over the Texans.

Hill made a brief two-drive preseason debut -- the first of which lasted just one play after Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception on his first attempt -- which explains the fantasy star's lack of usage sans Jaylen Waddle (hip). Tagovailoa settled down and found his favorite target for a 13-yard pitch and catch on Miami's next drive. Hill doesn't need to prove anything before the regular season, so it was a welcome sight to see the fantasy star and his quarterback get on the field as Week 1 approaches. The dynamic wideout will look to build on a 2022 season that saw him set new career highs in receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,710).

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Dell (undisclosed) was "feeling some tightness" in his leg during pregame warmups Saturday prior to the Texans' preseason contest against the Dolphins, Deepi Sidhu of the team's official site reports.

Dell didn't play in Houston's exhibition loss to Miami, but Ryans said the rookie wideout "will be fine." His practice status will be monitored next week.

Thornton (undisclosed) wasn't in uniform ahead of Saturday's preseason contest against the Packers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Thornton exited practice early Thursday and didn't return, so his absence isn't much of a surprise. The 2022 second-rounder will need to get back on the field soon in order to secure a key Week 1 role in a Patriots WR corps that also features JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne.

Mooney isn't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game at Indianapolis, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Along with Mooney, DJ Moore, Chase Claypool (hamstring), Tyler Scott and Velus Jones (undisclosed) won't be available in the Bears' second exhibition. Mooney was cleared to practice at the start of training camp after spending the entire offseason in recovery mode from the ankle injury that ended his 2022 campaign after Week 12. With the offseason addition of Moore, Mooney now is the No. 2 receiving option, at best, for quarterback Justin Fields in the Bears offense.

Washington recorded one reception on two targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 25-7 preseason win over the Lions. He added one rush for minus-1 yard, returned two kickoffs for 46 yards and ran back three punts for 21 yards.

Washington was on the field to start the game and was targeted on the first pass attempt from C.J. Beathard. His more impactful effort came just before halftime, when he caught a short pass to the left prior to shedding a tackle and turning upfield for a 15-yard score. Washington also handled punt returns, which could be his primary contribution to begin the regular season.

Wilson isn't in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Per Randy Lange of the Jets' official site, Wilson returned to practice in recent days after spending two-plus weeks rehabbing a low ankle sprain, but it looks as though the team will play it safe with the wideout Saturday. In that event, Wilson's next chance to see exhibition action will be next Saturday against the Giants.

Hill is among the Dolphins' healthy starters expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

The same applies to top QB Tua Tagovailoa, while fellow starting wideout Jaylen Waddle is dealing with an abdomen injury and is not in line to play Saturday. Though it appears as though Hill will see some reps against Houston, we wouldn't expect his appearance to be a lengthy one, with the team's depth options likely to see plenty of action after the key skill players get their work in.

Waddle (abdomen) is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans.

Waddle has been missing practice of late, so his looming Saturday absence is not surprising. While the 2021 first-rounder isn't slated to see action versus Houston, fellow WR Tyreek Hill isn't among those listed by the Dolphins as not expected to play. Waddle's final opportunity to log exhibition action will arrive Aug. 26 against the Jaguars.