NFL Player News

Ayomanor corralled two of four targets for 47 yards while adding two yards on one rush attempt in Friday's 23-20 preseason win over the Falcons.

Ayomanor made a big splash early in the contest when he took a short pass from Cameron Ward and scampered down the field for 35 yards. The 2025 fourth-round pick started Friday's exhibition alongside Van Jefferson (zero catches on two targets) with veteran starters Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett sitting this one out. Ayomanor continues to get significant looks with the first-team offense this preseason as he closes in on a third or fourth receiver role.

GM John Schneider said Seahawks starters, including Smith-Njigba, are in line to play one or two series during Friday's preseason contest against the Chiefs, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Coach Mike Macdonald already announced Wednesday that QB Sam Darnold was slated to suit up in preseason Week 2, and the likes of Smith-Njigba seem poised to join him. Smith-Njigba sat out the Seahawks' first exhibition Aug. 7, but he and newcomer Cooper Kupp are expected to experience their first game action together Friday. With DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh) and Tyler Lockett (Tennessee) in different locales ahead of the current campaign, Smith-Njigba is set to lead Seattle's passing game on the heels of a 100-1,130-6 line on 137 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2024.

While Rice has a Sept. 30 disciplinary hearing with the NFL scheduled, it's still possible that a settlement could be reached before the season, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, the NFL initially proposed a suspension that would sideline Rice for over half of the coming season, but as things stand and based on the timing of his scheduled hearing, the wideout is currently in a position to be available for the first four games of the regular season. His situation could change, however, if a settlement is reached. In any case, Pelissero notes that the expectation is that Rice, who returned to practice earlier this week, will be suspended for a portion of the 2025 season, but in that scenario, how long remains to be seen.

Ridley isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason contest against the Falcons, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

The same applies to Tyler Lockett, as the Titans elect to play it safe with a pair of their key veteran wideouts. Ridley's next opportunity to see game action will arrive next Friday in the team's preseason finale against the Vikings.

Burton (undisclosed) worked on a rehab field during Friday's practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cincinnati beat writers spotted Burton at practice for the first time since the Bengals' preseason opener a week ago Thursday, but the wideout didn't actually take part in team drills, instead going to a side field with TE Mike Gesicki (hamstring) and other injured players. While the relatively quick return to physical activity suggests Burton's unspecified injury isn't serious, the missed time could hurt his chances of earning a Week 1 role off the bench. There hasn't been any recent buzz about Burton challenging Andrei Iosivas for the No. 3 receiver role.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday he doesn't plan to play the starters, including Waddle, during Saturday's preseason game against the Lions, Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post reports.

Waddle sat out Miami's preseason opener due to a collision that occurred during joint practices with the Bears, but he returned to practice this week and has participated in team drills against Detroit. He'll need to wait until the Dolphins' preseason finale against the Jaguars on Sat., Aug. 23, however, for a chance to see exhibition reps. Meanwhile, Tyreek Hill (oblique) has not yet returned to practice.

Kirk was a standout at joint practices with the Panthers on Thursday and has locked up the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Nico Collins, Cole Thompson of USA Today reports.

Kirk has demonstrated chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud throughout training camp, and per Thompson, he's clearly been the Texans' most consistent wide receiver other than Collins. While it's possible Kirk that rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins (second round) and Jaylin Noel (third round) are able to build steam down the stretch of the regular season and provide increased target competition, at minimum Kirk is positioned to open Week 1 in a valuable starting role as one of Stroud's top reads, and likely while dominating slot reps. Kirk is entering his age-29 campaign and is playing for a new contract.

Samuel (hamstring) will be limited at practice Friday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Samuel continues to manage a hamstring issue, but his participation in Friday's session is step in the right direction for the wideout, who is competing for targets in a Buffalo WR corps that's led by Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman and also includes Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore. Samuel seems more likely to get snaps in the Bills' Aug. 23 preseason finale than Sunday's contest against the Bears.

Odunze made a strong impression Thursday, hauling in a 14-yard gain over the middle to start the end-of-half drill. He also adjusted to a pass behind him, ripping it away from a defender to move the chains, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Odunze is trying to build on a 2024 rookie season where he posted 734 receiving yards, showing the contested-catch skills that helped him stand out at times last year. His growing chemistry with Caleb Williams suggests a path to steady production, particularly with his ability to win tough catches in traffic. That skill set makes him a viable mid-round fantasy target with upside if the Bears' passing game progresses.

Burton (undisclosed) returned to practice Friday, Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports.

It's his first practice since recording one catch, one punt return and two kickoff returns in the preseason opener against the Eagles. A quick return to practice suggests the undisclosed injury isn't serious, but that doesn't mean Burton will play in Monday's preseason game against Washington. It's also not clear if the 2024 third-round pick will have a role in Cincinnati's offense to begin the regular season, as he still seems to be behind Andrei Iosivas (and possibly Charlie Jones) on the depth chart.