NFL Player News

Sutton caught all three of his targets for 60 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons.

Starting QB Bo Nix and WR Jaylen Waddle (leg) didn't dress Friday, but Sutton showed encouraging chemistry with backup QB Jarrett Stidham on Denver's first two drives. Sutton made a nice one-handed grab in addition to hauling in a 40-yard pass that got Denver down to the 1-yard line on the opening drive. The 30-year-old wideout looks like he's in midseason form already on the heels of back-to-back regular seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards.

Wilson caught two of three targets for 32 yards in Friday's 24-16 preseason loss to the Buccaneers.

Geno Smith (foot) was supposed to start this game along with the rest of the Jets' first-team offense but was held out due to foot soreness, so rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik got the nod under center. Wilson showed nice chemistry with Klubnik, as they linked up for gains of 21 and 11 yards on the opening drive. The Jets will likely try to get Smith and Wilson some game reps together during the preseason, with the next opportunity to do so coming next Friday against the Steelers.

Higgins did not play in Thursday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Chargers.

Higgins was joined by Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell (knee) on the sidelines for Thursday's preseason game, while fourth-year wideout Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson and Jared Wayne served as the Texans' three starting wideouts. Higgins is coming off a solid rookie campaign, when he caught 41 passes (on 68 targets) for 525 yards and six touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. He's positioned as the clear WR2 for the Texans behind Collins while Hutchinson, Noel and Dell provide depth at the position.

McConkey did not play in the Chargers' 27-7 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday.

McConkey was joined by Tre' Harris and Quentin Johnston on the sidelines while JaQuae Jackson, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and rookie fourth-rounder Brenen Thompson saw the bulk of the wide receiver snaps during Thursday's exhibition game. McConkey saw his production dip from his rookie season to his 2025 sophomore campaign, but his output could rebound in 2026 due to the departure of veteran Keenan Allen and the addition of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

Nailor played eight snaps on offense during Thursday's 27-14 preseason loss to the Cardinals. He did not show up in the box score otherwise.

Both Nailor and Tre Tucker, the Raiders' top wideouts on the depth chart, saw minimal work in the first quarter before observing the rest of the game from the sidelines. Nailor inked a three-year, $35 million contract with Las Vegas after playing for Minnesota during the first four years of his NFL career. He's played 17 regular-season games in each of the last two years and finished the 2025 campaign with 29 catches (on 53 targets) for 444 yards and four touchdowns. Nailor will have the opportunity to operate in an expanded role in the Raiders passing attack alongside Tucker and talented tight end Brock Bowers.

Doubs did not play in the Patriots' 13-13 tie with the Colts in Thursday's preseason game.

Doubs, A.J. Brown and DeMario Douglas were the three Patriots wide receivers who observed Thursday's game in street clothes. Doubs inked a four-year contract with the Patriots in March after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Packers, and he's slated to serve as a key target for QB Drake Maye in 2026 while starting alongside Brown. Doubs is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 55 passes (on 85 targets) for 724 yards and six touchdowns across 16 regular-season games.

Johnston did not play in the Chargers' 27-7 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday.

Johnston joined Tre' Harris and Ladd McConkey in observing Thursday's exhibition contest from the sidelines while KeAndre Lambert-Smith, JaQuae Jackson and rookie fourth-rounder Brenen Thompson each played 30 or more offensive snaps against Houston. Johnston had his ups and downs in 2025 but finished with a career-high 735 receiving yards across 14 regular-season games, while his eight touchdowns also tied his career best in that category. However, the 2023 first-rounder could be in line for an expanded role in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme, especially since Keenan Allen is still a free agent.

Bech caught three passes on as many targets for 25 yards and a touchdown during the Raiders' 27-14 preseason loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

All three of Bech's catches came in the first half, with his last resulting in a six-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins. Bech led all wide receivers with 22 offensive snaps, and a strong rapport with Cousins would help the former's case for the WR3 job, with his main competition coming from Dont'e Thornton, Dareke Young and rookie sixth-rounder Malik Benson. Bech and the Raiders will hit the road for their next preseason game against the Texans this Thursday.

Thornton (undisclosed) did not play in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Cardinals.

The wide receiver exited last Friday's practice with an injury. Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reported that Thornton is expected to return to the field at some point during the preseason, but there is no specific week targeted. The Raiders' receiving room is currently wide open, and the more time the 23-year-old misses, the harder it will be to take one of the top slots.

Waddle (leg) isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason contest in Atlanta, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Waddle initially exited an Aug. 5 practice session early due to muscle tightness, and while he got rid of the sleeve on his left leg this past Saturday, he has yet to mix back into drills in the meantime. As a result, his first taste of game action as a Bronco will have to wait until at least next Friday against the Packers. Once Waddle is healthy, he's set to form a top WR duo in Denver with Courtland Sutton for QB Bo Nix.