NFL Player News

Cooks (shoulder) will have an MRI on Friday after getting hurt in Thursday's 34-27 preseason win over the Bengals, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Cooks was carted to the locker room after sustaining the shoulder injury Thursday. The results of the MRI will help determine Cooks' return timetable, but even a relatively short absence would decrease Cooks' already slim chances of making the 53-man roster.

Thornton caught one of three targets for 17 yards in Thursday's 23-23 preseason tie against the Seahawks.

Thornton drew the start at wide receiver in 11-personnel next to Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, notably playing ahead of fellow rookie Jack Bech on the outside. However, Thornton was unable to haul in two of his three targets, and the fourth-round Tennessee product was penalized on an offensive offside as well. Nonetheless, Thornton's involvement with the first-team unit bodes well for his viability as a late-round dart throw in deeper leagues and best ball formats, especially given his 4.30 40-yard dash speed on a 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame.

Bech caught one of two targets for five yards in Thursday's 23-23 preseason tie against the Seahawks.

Despite being selected 58th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Bech was rumored to be facing an uphill battle for the No. 2 role at wide receiver throughout the early stages of training camp, and Thursday's preseason opener confirmed that suspicion considering Tre Tucker and fellow rookie Dont'e Thornton drew the start next to Jakobi Meyers in 11-personnel. The speed of Tucker and Thornton allow them to play on the boundary, while Bech's skill set and preferred route tree is a bit redundant with those of Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers. Therefore, playing time could be limited for the second-round TCU product early in 2025.

Tucker caught his only target for 15 yards in Thursday's 23-23 preseason tie against the Seahawks.

Tucker was targeted by quarterback Geno Smith on the first play from scrimmage, but shortly thereafter, the pair was included among the starters that were pulled following the Raiders' opening drive. It was a promising sign for Tucker, who appears favored to earn the No. 2 role at wide receiver next to Jakobi Meyers, notably landing ahead of both rookies Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech in the current pecking order. Tucker paced this position group in offensive snaps for Las Vegas last season, though it resulted in a pedestrian 47-539-3 receiving line on 81 total targets.

Hill is dealing with an oblique injury, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hill, who was absent from Wednesday's session, was present Friday (as he was Thursday), but not in pads. With that in mind, it doesn't seem likely that the wideout will play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Bears.

Cooper caught six of seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 34-27 preseason win over Cincinnati.

He got his first target on Philadelphia's second drive and his final look at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter, getting extensive playing time with second-string quarterback Tanner McKee on a night when the Eagles rested most of their starters. Cooper is an undrafted rookie out of FCS Tarleton State, where he had 1,450 receiving yards and 14 TDs last season. He then ran a 4.49 40 at his pro day, which is a solid time relative to his dense build (listed at 5-foot-11, 213 pounds). Cooper is now making his case for a depth job in Philadelphia, where No. 3 receiver Jahan Dotson appears vulnerable to a challenge.

The Bills waived Akharaiyi on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's the second time in the last 17 days that Akharaiyi has been cut by Buffalo. The Bills needed the roster spot in order to sign kicker Caden Davis ahead of Saturday's preseason contest against the Giants.

Montgomery was not targeted and did not have a carry in Thursday's preseason loss at Baltimore. He was seen being assisted to the medical tent during the game, Sports Illustrated's Jake Arthur reports.

It's not clear if Montgomery was injured during the game or just wasn't part of the preseason game plan. Either way, it's not a good sign for his chances of making the final roster.

Downs and most other veteran starters didn't play in Thursday's 24-16 preseason loss at Baltimore.

Fellow wideouts Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce also were rested, leaving Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould and rookie tight end Tyler Warren as the the top targets for QB Anthony Richardson, who left the game after a handful of snaps due to a finger dislocation on his throwing hand. Richardson should be fine by Week 1, but the QB situation remains a major concern for Downs' fantasy value after his 2024 production was heavily concentrated in the games Joe Flacco played. Daniel Jones, for all his flaws, is a better bet than Richardson to support fantasy-viable pass catchers -- and especially receivers that rely on short-area targets, like Downs and Pittman. The Colts may give their starters some run in the second or third preseason game, although it's unclear if Richardson or Jones will take the QB reps.

Gould had two receptions for 12 yards on four targets in Thursday's preseason loss at Baltimore. He also had a dropped kickoff and two dropped passes, according to James Boyd of The Athletic.

Gould has made a strong impression in training camp and had some nice plays in Thursday's game, but the mistakes probably hurt his chances to have a larger role in the offense.