NFL Player News

Montgomery carried the ball four times for 13 yards and a touchdown and caught his only target for five yards in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers.

Somewhat surprisingly, Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and Montgomery rotated through the offense during the first half, with the latter punching in a two-yard TD early in the second quarter. It was thought the well-traveled journeyman might be the top candidate to replace the retired James White in passing situations, but Friday's usage of the trio suggests the Patriots' backfield could be a true committee in 2022 instead, making it difficult to trust any of them on a weekly basis. Per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, coach Bill Belichick indicated after the game all his healthy starters would be available for New England's preseason finale next week against the Raiders, so there will be one more chance for the coaching staff to provide some clarity on how Montgomery and the rest of the RB crew will be deployed in the regular season.

Olave caught two of his three targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Packers.

Olave played nearly the entire first half and found the end zone on a 20-yard reception with 12 seconds left in the second quarter. He also chipped in an eight-yard catch that set up a field goal for the Saints. Though Olave was catching passes from Ian Book rather than Jameis Winston, he had a fairly impressive performance and can reasonably be expected to contribute immediately as a rookie once the regular season begins.

Coach Bill Belichick said Bourne "wasn't available" for Friday's preseason game versus the Panthers, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Bourne wasn't involved in pregame warmups and wasn't in uniform for the Patriots' second exhibition. His current standing on the team may stem from being ejected from a joint session with the Panthers earlier this week, but he also recently was relegated to the second-team offense in practice, per Cox. Bourne is part of a crowded wide receiver room in New England, so he may be on thin ice with Belichick and the coaching staff.

Thornton won't return to Friday's preseason game against the Panthers due to a shoulder injury.

Prior to getting ruled out in the fourth quarter, Thornton hauled in his only target for 13 yards. The severity of the injury is unknown, but his status now bears watching with just one exhibition left on the Patriots' schedule next Friday at Las Vegas.

The Giants have placed Foster (hamstring) on their injured reserve, Dan Salomone of the team's official website reports.

The severity of Foster's hamstring injury is unknown at this time. He will be forced to spend the rest of the season on New York's IR unless both parties can ultimately come to terms on an injury settlement.

Lazard won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Saints, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

The same applies to fellow wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, with the Packers resting a number of their key skill players on Friday. With Lazard and company sitting this one out, the Green Bay coaching staff will focus on evaluating the team's depth options at the WR position versus New Orleans.

Watson (knee) isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game against the Saints, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Having said that, Watson went through pregame warmups with the Packers' wide receiver group, which is another sign of progress after returning to practice this past Sunday. The rookie second-round pick spent most of training camp on the active/PUP list after undergoing a procedure on his knee following the offseason program. Watson will have one more chance to make an appearance during exhibition season Thursday at Kansas City.

Thomas isn't in uniform ahead of Friday's preseason game at Green Bay, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The same goes for fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry, while rookie first-round pick Chris Olave is suited up. Assuming Olave does get into the contest, he'll be joined by Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harty, among others, at the position. Thomas will have one chance for exhibition action ahead of Week 1 next Friday against the Chargers.

Bourne wasn't spotted in warmups in advance of Friday's preseason contest against the Panthers, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Though the Patriots aren't compelled to announce inactives in advance of preseason games, Bourne's absence from warmups is notable. While Bourne doesn't have any known injury concerns, Mike Reiss of ESPN points out that wideout was ejected from practice Tuesday following a scuffle.

Anderson (quadriceps) isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason game in New England, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Anderson didn't catch his only target while playing five offensive snaps in Carolina's exhibition opener at Washington. Since then, he's come down with a quadriceps injury, which will keep him on the sideline Friday. Anderson will be joined by DJ Moore (shoulder) and Terrace Marshall (hamstring), leaving Rashard Higgins, Brandon Zylstra and Shi Smith, among others, as the team's top available wide receivers.