NFL Player News

Brown was among the Patriots' key skill players who didn't see action in Thursday's preseason opener against the Colts, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Also in that category were QB Drake Maye, fellow WRs Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas, RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, along with TE Hunter Henry. As the coming season approaches, Brown and Doubs are slated to be the team's top two WR options, while Douglas figures to work out of the slot in a wide-receiver corps that also includes Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams, who all saw action Thursday. In his new locale, Brown is on track to log steady volume as Maye's top target, positioning him for weekly fantasy utility in 2026.

Hollins caught two of four targets for 24 yards in Thursday's 13-13 preseason tie with the Colts.

The Patriots held their offensive starters out of the contest, including QB Drake Maye, allowing Hollins to get the start and play most of the first quarter. The veteran wideout will have a tough time carving out a significant role in 2026 as long as New England's receiving corps stays healthy, with A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas all ahead of him on the team's unofficial depth chart and Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism also competing for WR slotting.

Bernard caught four of five targets for 51 yards in Thursday's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers.

'The rookie wideout tied tight end Robert Tonyan for the Steelers' lead in receptions, but that production came with Mason Rudolph under center as Aaron Rodgers got the night off, and the team's top two wideouts DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (leg) sidelined. While it's encouraging that Bernard took advantage of his opportunity, and he did out-produce his main competition for the WR3 role in Roman Wilson, he still has a lot to prove to land on the fantasy radar in most formats.

Golden failed to see a target in Thursday's 28-9 preseason loss to the Steelers.

The Packers began the game with most of their offensive starters on the field, including QB Jordan Love, but they all made quick exits. Golden, the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is coming off a disappointing rookie campaign in which he failed to find the end zone in 14 regular-season contests. He'll battle Christian Watson and Jayden Reed for looks from Love, but as in years past in coach Matt LaFleur's offense, who the actual top option is could change from week to week.

Reed caught one of two targets for 19 yards in Thursday's 28-9 preseason loss to the Steelers.

The Packers began the game with most of their offensive starters on the field, including QB Jordan Love, but they all made quick exits. Reed is established as one of the team's top three wideouts alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, but as in years past in Matt LaFleur's offense, who the actual top option is could change from week to week. Reed played only seven regular-season games in 2025 due to injuries, catching 19 of 22 targets for 207 yards and one touchdown.

Watson failed to bring in his only target in Thursday's 28-9 preseason loss to the Steelers.

The Packers began the game with most of their offensive starters on the field, including QB Jordan Love, but they all made quick exits. Watson heads into 2026 at the top of the depth chart at wide receiver after signing a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension in June, but Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden both figure to see significant roles as well, and as in years past in Matt LaFleur's offense, who the actual top option is could change from week to week. Watson has missed time to injuries in each of his four NFL seasons, playing just 10 regular-season contests last year and hauling in 35 of 55 targets for 611 yards and six touchdowns.

Robinson brought in two of four targets for 19 yards in the Titans' 19-13 preseason win over the 49ers on Thursday.

On a night when 10 different Titans players recorded at least one catch, Robinson shared the team lead in receptions and targets while setting the pace in receiving yards. The veteran offseason addition opened the contest with the rest of the first-team offense, getting his first opportunity to build rapport with Cam Ward in a game setting. Robinson is expected to be one of Ward's most trusted targets during the wideout's debut campaign in Tennessee, and Thursday offered an abbreviated glimpse of what can likely be expected from the duo during the regular season.

Stribling brought in seven of eight targets for 63 yards in the 49ers' 19-13 preseason loss to the Titans on Thursday.

The 2026 second-round pick led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards while checking in second in targets to Jordan Watkins. Stribling finished his college career with back-to-back 800-yard seasons, and Ricky Pearsall's season-ending knee injury opens up plenty of opportunity for the rookie to make a significant first-year impact. Stribling is also currently benefiting from Christian Kirk's lingering calf injury, and the former's performance in his NFL debut certainly helps buttress his case for consistent opportunity right from the onset of his first season.

Tate didn't come up with any of his three targets in the Titans' 19-13 preseason win over the 49ers on Thursday.

The rookie fourth overall pick was on the field for the Titans' opening possession and saw his first target in the end zone on second down. Tate's two other opportunities came during Tennessee's third drive, but he ultimately finished his night without making any impact on the stat sheet while working with starting quarterback Cam Ward during his time in the game. Despite the quiet debut, Tate naturally remains ticketed for a major role in his 2026 rookie campaign and will look to build some momentum during Tennessee's second preseason game against the Seahawks at home on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Thompson caught two of six targets for 30 yards in Thursday's 27-7 preseason win over the Texans.

Thompson tied KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the team lead in targets as the Chargers got the rookie fourth-round pick involved in Thompson's first taste of NFL action. Both Thompson and Lambert-Smith are trying to push Tre' Harris for a spot in three-receiver sets alongside Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Thompson's likely to maintain a prominent role in the Chargers' second preseason game against the 49ers on Aug. 20.