NFL Player News

Pierce (ankle) was present for Tuesday's practice and took part in individual work off to the side under the supervision of a trainer, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke about Pierce's situation Tuesday, noting that the wideout received a platelet-rich plasma injection in January before opting for surgery on his ankle two months later when the shot didn't yield the desired results. Pierce has suffered no setbacks and required no follow-up procedures, and any concern about his ankle didn't deter the Colts from signing him to a four-year, $114 million contract in March. The fifth-year player still looks like he has a few more hurdles to clear before returning to action, and he currently remains on the PUP list.

Downs (groin) is back at practice Tuesday, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

While the extent of Downs' participation is uncertain, a quick return to practice confirms his groin injury isn't serious. He was held out over the weekend and now seems ready to return after missing just a few days. With Alec Pierce (ankle) still unavailable, Downs is the unquestioned No. 1 WR at Indianapolis practices these days.

McMillan (knee) is doing individual drills at Tuesday's practice, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Even if he isn't a full participant, McMillan's relatively quick return to practice seemingly confirms that his knee injury isn't serious. He's been out for about a week but may now be ready for a preseason appearance. McMillan is the favorite for Tampa Bay's No. 3 WR job, behind returning starters Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin. Competition for snaps primarily comes from Tez Johnson and rookie Ted Hurst.

Smith (hamstring) isn't participating in Tuesday's practice, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Though Smith will sit out his fifth consecutive practice, he appears to be making strides in his recovery from a hamstring injury. According to Tim McManus of ESPN.com, Smith was spotted doing some running on the field prior to Tuesday's session, which he hadn't done in advance of any of the previous four practices. The Eagles continue to view the hamstring issue as a short-term concern and appear to be playing it safe with their No. 1 wideout.

Jets receivers coach Shawn Jefferson implied Tuesday that Mitchell is seen as the team's No. 2 wideout heading into the upcoming season, Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News reports. "If he continues on this trajectory, he will be a really good Robin to our Batman [Garrett Wilson]," Jefferson said of Mitchell.

The Jets invested the 30th overall pick in April's draft in Omar Cooper, but he looks set to work in the No. 3 role to begin his career. Mitchell was able to make a positive impression late last season after coming over from the Colts, racking up 59 targets while Wilson was sidelined by a knee injury for the final eight games and producing a 25-312-2 line even with shoddy quarterback play. With veteran Geno Smith directing the offense in 2026, Mitchell should see an improvement in efficiency, though a healthy Wilson remains the unquestioned centerpiece of the Jets' passing game.

Pierce didn't require a second platelet-rich plasma injection for his surgically repaired left ankle, contrary to what was previously reported, according to Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star.

A league source previously relayed that Pierce required the second shot, but the source recanted and said it had misspoken. Another source confirmed that the wideout hasn't required any follow-up procedures since undergoing surgery in late March. Even so, Pierce has been sidelined for the entirety of the Colts' offseason program and training camp, and head coach Shane Steichen hasn't provided a firm target date for when he might come off the PUP list. Pierce has been one of the NFL's top vertical threats the past two seasons while averaging 20-plus yards per reception in both years, and after signing a lavish four-year, $114 million deal to remain with Indianapolis, the team is counting on him taking on greater target volume in 2026.

Pierce (anke) received a second PRP injection in his left ankle this offseason, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Pierce initially attempted to get over his left ankle issue by receiving a PRP injection following the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, but he ultimately was forced to undergo a "clean-up" procedure in April. The wide receiver has missed the entirety of the Colts' offseason program and training camp to this point, and head coach Shane Steichen said Thursday that Pierce doesn't currently have a timetable to return to resume practicing. A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a process in which a concentrated dose of a patient's own blood platelets is injected to help heal damaged joints, tendons, ligaments and skin. Pierce received the second injection in late June, per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis, and Chappell outlined that a second treatment is not abnormal and helps the healing process.

Meiga (undisclosed) reverted to the Panthers' injured-reserve list Monday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The Panthers waived/injured Meiga on Sunday, and the wide receiver went unclaimed throughout the waiver process. Meiga will now spend the entirety of the 2026 season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

Chicago waived Hudson (undisclosed) with an injury designation Monday.

In a corresponding transaction, the Bears signed wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. Unless Hudson is claimed by another team during the current waiver period, he'll be in line to spend the entire 2026 season on Chicago's injured-reserve list.

The Bears signed McCloud to a contract Monday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Luther Burden (groin) and Zavion Thomas (knee) both sidelined, McCloud was signed as an additional depth piece at wide receiver. Wide receiver Kyron Hudson (undisclosed) was waived/injured in a corresponding move. McCloud will likely have to beat out fellow veteran Scotty Miller for the No. 6 receiver role in order to garner a spot on the 53-man roster.