NFL Player News

Daniels caught two passes on five targets for 18 yards during the Rams' 20-12 preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday.

Puka Nacua (groin), Davante Adams and Jordan Whittington were all sidelined for Saturday's exhibition contest, allowing Daniels to be listed as a starter. Daniels had a somewhat quiet game, though he connected with Ty Simpson on a 16-yard catch to set the Rams up deep in Chiefs' territory, leading to a two-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Dean Connors on the next play. Daniels was a sixth-round selection of the Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the rookie is competing against Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield and Tyler Scott for a depth role on offense. The Rams' next preseason game takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Saints.

Lance (undisclosed) got "banged up" in Thursday's practice and didn't play in New Orleans' preseason opener against Jacksonville on Saturday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

According to coach Kellen Moore, Lance was available to play in an emergency situation, so it doesn't sound like he's dealing with a serious injury. The rookie wideout is slated to jockey for positioning in the Saints' WR pecking order, and he could see his role increase in importance in the scenario that fellow rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) needs to miss time early in the regular season.

Shakir caught both his targets for 41 yards in Saturday's 29-14 preseason win over the Panthers.

The fifth-year wideout caught the first pass attempt of the preseason from Josh Allen, connecting on a 21-yard gain that helped set up a field goal in the first quarter. Shakir started alongside DJ Moore (lower body), and both were productive while Buffalo's first-stringers were in the game. The offseason addition of Moore gives the team a true No. 1 wide receiver, but his presence on the outside shouldn't have a big impact on Shakir's volume in the slot. Shakir has topped 70 catches in back-to-back campaigns, averaging 74 receptions on 97.5 targets for 770 yards and four TDs while missing three total regular-season contests in those two years.

Coach Kellen Moore said Saturday that the team is "still in collection mode" regarding Tyson (hamstring), Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Tyson suffered a right hamstring injury during practice Thursday, and Moore suggested Friday that the issue could impact the rookie wideout's availability for the beginning of the regular season. Tyson also dealt with hamstring issues during his final campaign with Arizona State, though Moore has said that his current injury isn't related. Nonetheless, fantasy managers who have yet to draft are justified in being wary of investing too heavily in Tyson given his current hazy outlook. However, if he's able to get healthy, Tyson is expected to have a major role in the Saints' passing game and possesses plenty of upside.

Allen caught two passes on five targets for 20 yards during the Chiefs' 20-12 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday.

Allen joined Jalen Royals and Tyquan Thornton as the Chiefs' three starting wide receivers while Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) observed Saturday's preseason game from the sidelines. Allen turned a screen pass from Justin Fields into a big gain the first quarter, only for the play to be negated by a holding penalty by Royals. Allen didn't end up registering his first catch until late in the second quarter, but he made a nice leaping 13-yard grab on a third-and-8 to move the chains. The rookie fifth-rounder drew praise after the game from head coach Andy Reid, who told reporters that Allen has "been doing well in camp...Looked like he picked right up from there," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Thornton is currently listed as the third starting wide receiver alongside Worthy and Rice on the Chiefs' unofficial depth chart, but Allen could play himself into a prominent role on offense with a strong performance in training camp and preseason games. The Chiefs will hit the road for their next exhibition game Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Buccaneers.

Flournoy isn't suited up ahead of Saturday's preseason opener versus Seattle, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Flournoy won't play in the Cowboys' first preseason game, and coach Brian Schottenheimer said in early August that he's planning for the team's starters not to play at all during the preseason. However, Flournoy should have plenty of opportunities to continue to build chemistry with QB Dak Prescott during training-camp practices. Flournoy is essentially locked into the Cowboys' No. 3 receiver role, though that might not come with extensive opportunity behind the dynamic WR duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

Lemon isn't suited up for Saturday's preseason game in Baltimore, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

In advance of this contest, the rookie first-round pick has missed all practices since Aug. 4 due to a minor hamstring injury. Fellow WRs DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Johnny Wilson also aren't dressed Saturday, meaning Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore and Darius Cooper are the top healthy options at the position. Lemon's next chance for his first action as a pro will arrive next Saturday at New England.

Godwin didn't play in Friday's 24-16 preseason victory over the Jets.

The Buccaneers held out most of their starters for the team's initial preseason contest, so Godwin's absence isn't a concern. The veteran wideout is expected to maintain a key role in a Tampa Bay WR corps that enters 2026 without Mike Evans for the first time since 2013. Godwin is joined at the top of the team's pass-catching pecking order by Emeka Egbuka (toe), with Jalen McMillan (knee) and tight end Cade Otton also slated to see plenty of opportunities.

Smith (hamstring) is warming up on the field before Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Smith won't play, but this is at least the latest sign that his hamstring injury isn't too serious. He was spotted doing side work during practice mid-week, so a return could be coming fairly soon.

Bell did not play in the Bills' 29-14 preseason win over the Panthers on Saturday due to a lower-body injury, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Joe Brady relayed to reporters after Saturday's contest that Bell could have played if it was a regular-season game. Bell is expected to be back at practice in the coming week, which puts the rookie fourth-rounder on track to play in the Bills' next exhibition game, which takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Browns. The UConn product is competing against the likes of Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Mecole Hardman for rotational snaps on offense behind DJ Moore (lower body) and Khalil Shakir.