NFL Player News

Coach Mike Zimmer said Thielen didn't play in Saturday's preseason win against the Cardinals because the wide receiver "was a little sore," Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Zimmer intimated Thielen would have gutted it out if it was the regular season, but there was no reason to risk aggravating the concern, hence the precaution. Thielen is unlikely to take the field in preseason Week 4, so he'll have approximately two weeks to get back to 100 percent for the Vikings' regular-season opener Sunday, Sept. 8 versus the Falcons.

Jones was waived by the Jets on Friday, Randy Lange of the team's official site reports.

Jones spent the beginning of last season with the Chargers -- fielding punts and kickoffs in the first three games -- and eventually found his way to the Jets' practice squad Oct. 22. The 26-year-old was activated for the final regular-season game, where he caught one pass for three yards. Jones was waived to make room for Quincy Adeboyejo, whom the Jets signed Friday.

Watson brought in both of his targets for 21 yards in the Buccaneers' 13-12 preseason win over the Browns on Friday.

Watson maximized his modest amount of opportunity, logging a pair of receptions for the second straight preseason game. The second-year wideout has eight catches overall across his first three exhibitions, a solid tally that still leaves him in the midst of a battle for the No. 4 receiver role with Bobo Wilson heading into Thursday's preseason finale versus the Cowboys.

Perriman brought in two of five targets for 15 yards in the Buccaneers' 13-12 preseason win over the Browns on Friday.

Perriman played a robust 36 snaps during the contest, although the Browns' effective defense did a good job of consistently limiting the first-team offense's passing attack. However, Perriman's night could have been even bigger had Jameis Winston not misfired on an attempt down the left sideline in the first quarter where Perriman had gotten a few yards into the clear. Perriman was also targeted down the right side of the field on the second offensive play, but the Buccaneers lost a challenge for possible defensive pass interference. Despite the modest line Friday, Perriman is firmly entrenched as the No. 3 receiver to open the season after a solid training camp and exhibition slate.

Crabtree will not play Saturday against the Vikings, Scott Bordow of The Athletic reports.

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering Crabtree just signed with the team Wednesday. The Cardinals' lack of veteran depth at the position aside from Larry Fitzgerald likely means the soon-to-be 32-year-old should have a spot on the 53-man roster if he can impress during the final few weeks of training camp, but he'll have just one exhibition game to do so with Saturday's latest designation.

Thielen is not participating in pre-game warm-ups and is not expected to play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Cardinals, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Vikings will roll with a number of their regulars, including running back Dalvin Cook, for an extended look during the first half, so it's a bit surprising to see Thielen held out. As of now, there's no reported injury so it appears the team is simply being cautious with its star receiver. Expect Chad Beebe and Jordan Taylor to benefit the most from the Thielen's absence.

Godwin caught four of six targets for 52 yards during Friday's 13-12 preseason win over the Browns.

With Mike Evans on the sidelines, Godwin served as the team's go-to pass catcher and commanded all his targets in just one half of play. He led the team in receiving yardage and averaged an acceptable 13.0 yards per catch despite a poor night from Jameis Winston. Godwin shouldn't play much, if any, during Thursday's preseason finale against the Cowboys, but he seems ready for what could be a very productive season.

Foster (foot) played two snaps in the team's preseason win over the Lions on Friday.

Two snaps is hardly a confident barometer when it comes to identifying Foster's Week 1 status, but considering there's been very little information regarding the speedy wideout's injured foot, it's fair to assume the 25-year-old is doing well enough to play. Despite a rookie season in which Foster emerged as a legitimate deep threat for quarterback Josh Allen, the Alabama alum simply hasn't produced enough in training camp to push John Brown, Cole Beasley or Zay Jones for a starting spot in three wide-receiver sets, and there's a small chance he doesn't even make the team. As a result, he should only be on the fantasy radar in fairly deep formats, particularly in standard leagues.

Jones (undisclosed) caught one of his three targets for seven yards in the 24-20 preseason loss to the Bills on Friday.

It was a bit surprising to see Jones play in the exhibition contest considering the 29-year-old missed last weekend's preseason loss to the Texans with an undisclosed injury, but that evidently isn't bothering him considering the veteran wideout played every single snap with the first-string offense. After a breakout 2017 campaign, Jones took a step back due to injuries and uneven play. If he plays a full 16 games, it's not unreasonable to project Jones could get near his career high's from two years ago, but based in a run-oriented offense and sharing the spotlight with emerging star Kenny Golladay, it's entirely possible the sixth-year pro simply never fully reaches those marks either.

Wilson brought in all four of his targets for 28 yards, rushed once for two yards, and returned three punts for 23 yards in the Buccaneers' 13-12 preseason win over the Browns on Friday.

Wilson continued building his case for a roster spot with another solid exhibition showing, joining his primary competition for the No. 4 receiver job, Justin Watson, as the only other wide receiver to have a 100.0 percent catch rate on the night. Wilson's reception tally also co-led the Buccaneers, and he flashed his elusiveness with a nifty 14-yard punt return as well. Wilson appears to be on solid footing for a spot on the final 53-man roster, with next Thursday's preseason finale against the Cowboys affording him one more opportunity to specifically lock down the No. 4 wideout job to open the campaign.