NFL Player News

McLaurin caught two of three targets for 25 yards in Thursday's 22-12 preseason loss to New England.

McLaurin had a 22-yard gain on the second play of the game and ultimately accounted for three of Ryan Fitzpatrick's eight targets. The star wideout will see plenty of looks in any scenario, but he could really be busy early in the season if Curtis Samuel's absence extends past August. Washington's big offseason acquisition has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp, bothered by the same groin injury that kept him out of offseason practices in early-to-mid June. Next up for McLaurin are exhibitions against Cincinnati (Aug. 20) and Baltimore (Aug. 28), followed by the season opener versus the Chargers on Sept. 12.

Smith-Schuster secured all three of his targets for 22 yards in Thursday's 24-16 preseason win over the Eagles.

Smith-Schuster didn't play in last week's Hall of Fame Game, but he recorded at least one catch during each of the Steelers' first two offensive drives Thursday. The 24-year-old returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal during the offseason and is hopeful that he'll see more perimeter work during the 2021 campaign after he lined up in the slot on 74.3 percent of his snaps last season.

Johnson brought in all three of his targets for 41 yards in Thursday's 24-16 preseason win over the Eagles.

Johnson was on the field for only 20 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Thursday, but he had a solid performance, highlighted by a 33-yard reception on the team's second drive of the game. The 2019 third-rounder has secured all five of his targets across the first two preseason games after he had 15 drops in 2020.

Brown caught two of four targets for 16 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to New England.

The rookie third-round pick had a seven-yard gain late in the first quarter on a completion from QB Taylor Heinicke, who then missed Brown on a deep pass on the very next snap. The two later hooked up for nine yards on a 3rd-and-3 shortly before halftime, setting up Washington's first TD of the night. It was a solid first showing for Brown, especially given that none of Washington's other wide receivers had big games. He might even get some reps as the No. 2 receiver if Curtis Samuel (groin) continues to miss time.

Watkins caught one of two targets for 79 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 24-16 preseason loss to Pittsburgh.

Watkins has been standing out in camp for the Eagles and translated his strong practice form into on-field production by taking a Joe Flacco screen pass 79 yards to the house. Prior to that play, he came just short of getting under a deep ball from starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. With rookie first-round pick DeVonta Smith sidelined by a knee injury, Watkins is getting more opportunities to shine in practice, and he's making a case to surpass Jalen Reagor as Philadelphia's other starting wide receiver opposite Smith. Watkins will look to build on this performance when the Patriots come to town in Week 2 of preseason.

Reagor caught two of three targets for 20 yards and added a seven-yard punt return in Thursday's 24-16 preseason loss to Pittsburgh.

Reagor failed to come down with his only look from starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, but he caught a pair of passes from backup Joe Flacco in the second quarter. While the 2020 first-round pick didn't make much of a case for himself as Philadelphia's No. 1 wide receiver while rookie DeVonta Smith (knee) recovers, Reagor appears primed to work as the Eagles' top punt returner. With Smith likely to sit out Week 2 of preseason against the Patriots, Reagor should get another opportunity to establish himself as a downfield target for Hurts.

Coach Brandon Staley said Allen and other key starters won't play in the preseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In addition to Allen, Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler are the notables on the offensive side of the ball. Clearly, Staley doesn't want to get to Week 1 without one of the trio available. For Allen in particular, he sat out the final two games of last season due to a lingering hamstring injury (Weeks 16-17) and subsequent stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list (Week 17). Prior to the absence, he fell just shy of 1,000 receiving yards (992, to be precise) for a fourth consecutive campaign, recorded triple-digit catches (100) for the third time during that stretch and matched his career best with eight TDs in 14 contests.

Lipscomb was waived by the Titans on Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Lipscomb landed a contract with the Titans following a tryout in May, but he was unable to make enough of an impression to stick around for the start of the preseason. The 23-year-old signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and briefly spent time on the Packers' practice squad.

The Colts waived Jennings (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Thursday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Jennings initially reverted to injured reserve after he went unclaimed on waivers, but he'll hit free agency once again after he reached a settlement with Indianapolis. The nature of his injury isn't yet known, and it's not clear whether he'll be healthy enough to play in 2021 if he lands with another team.

Claypool is suiting up for Thursday's preseason game in Philadelphia, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Claypool made a diving 45-yard catch during last Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, but he remained on the field for a spell before walking to the sideline. It just so happened to be his final snap of the contest, but coach Mike Tomlin relayed afterward that Claypool was fine. Claypool's ability to suit up one week later confirms as much, but it wouldn't surprise if he exits this game well before the second quarter, when the aforementioned big play occurred last week.