NFL Player News

Montgomery won't return to Friday's preseason game in Las Vegas due to a right ankle injury, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

In a game in which Damien Harris (undisclosed) didn't play, Rhamondre Stevenson got all the backfield reps on the Patriots' first possession, with Montgomery entering on the team's second drive. After his only official touch (a four-yard carry), Montgomery was tended to by New England's training staff before requiring assistance to reach the sideline and a cart to go to the locker room. He's the top candidate to take on a share of the retired James White's vacated change-of-pace role this season, but a serious injury could impact those plans. Rookie fourth-rounder Pierre Strong, J.J. Taylor and sixth-rounder Kevin Harris likely are the next players up if Montgomery misses any time.

Smith sustained an apparent shoulder or collarbone injury during Friday's preseason game against the Chargers, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

After a visit to the sideline tent in the second quarter, Smith was spotted walking to the locker room with his arm hanging, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. It's unclear if Smith will call it a night, but prior to his departure he wasn't targeted by quarterbacks Jameis Winston or Andy Dalton.

Montgomery suffered a lower right leg injury during Friday's preseason game at Las Vegas, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Montgomery attempted to reach the sideline on his own, but he eventually fell back to the turf and was attended to by the Patriots' training staff before needing assistance to get off the field. He then was carted to the locker room. The severity of the injury is unknown, but anything serious would be a blow to his chances of taking on some of the retired James White's change-of-pace role in the offense. Candidates for that job otherwise are J.J. Taylor and rookie sixth-round pick Kevin Harris.

Bourne was present for warmups ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Per coach Bill Belichick, Bourne "wasn't available" for last week's preseason game versus the Panthers, but it looks like the wideout could see some snaps in the team's exhibition finale. That said, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, the expectation is for most of the Patriots' top players to see minimal playing time Friday.

Palmer isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason game in New Orleans, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

After recording three catches (on eight targets) for 75 yards and a touchdown in the team's first two exhibitions, Palmer spent time in the concussion protocol earlier this week, gaining clearance Wednesday. Still, coach Brandon Staley won't risk the health of the Chargers' No. 3 wide receiver in the preseason finale. Palmer, a 2021 third-rounder, posted a 33-353-4 line on 49 targets in 17 games as a rookie last season.

Thomas (hamstring) wasn't spotted in uniform ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Chargers, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

That's not a surprise, given that Thomas missed practice this week. The wideout will now shift his focus to readying for Week 1 action versus the Falcons. According to Underhill, Thomas is dealing with a small hamstring pull.

Lamb (foot) is among the Cowboys' starters not in line to play in Friday's preseason finale against Seattle, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Lamb, who is bouncing back from a foot laceration, has resumed practicing, which puts him on track to be available for Week 1 action versus the Buccaneers. Once the season starts, the 2020 first-rounder is slated to to serve at QB Dak Prescott's No. 1 wideout target.

Smith is expected to start Friday's preseason finale against the Bills, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

With the Panthers' top wideouts periodically dealing with injuries, Smith has continued to get opportunities with the starters and has been a standout during training camp. He'll look to continue his strong play during Carolina's final exhibition game, though it's unclear if he'll be able to work his way past Rashard Higgins and Terrace Marshall on the depth chart.

Moore (shoulder) has been practicing and appears healthy ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Bills, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Moore could get his first action of the preseason with the Panthers expected to play most starters for at least a quarter. Fellow starting wideout Robbie Anderson (hip/quad) isn't expected to play, and a bunch of the depth options are banged up as well. Moore's shoulder kept him out of practice for a few days but shouldn't be a problem in terms of his availability for Friday night or for Week 1 against Cleveland.

Anderson (quad/hip) isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Bills, but he did go through a pregame workout on the field, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

Anderson is set to finish the preseason without any appearances but at least seems to be on track for Week 1 against the Browns. He's presumably getting another shot as Carolina's No. 2 receiver, though the team may not be as patient as it was last season if Anderson continues to struggle. He's never done especially well with Sam Darnold, who recently lost the team's QB battle to Baker Mayfield.