NFL Player News

Harrison (knee) didn't practice Friday, though he was present for the session and "looks to be fine," Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

This was Harrison's second straight missed practice as he deals with soreness in his knee, though head coach Jonathan Gannon has deemed the wideout's absence as precautionary. Brack described Harrison as "moving well" while observing Friday's practice, so the second-year receiver's injury indeed seems to be minor. Darren Urban of NFL.com suggests that Harrison could also sit out Saturday to maximize his recovery time since Arizona isn't scheduled to practice Sunday and is slated for just a walkthrough Monday.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Friday that Franklin is "having a good camp," Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Payton similarly praised Franklin during mandatory minicamp in June, saying that the second-year wideout looked "extremely explosive." DiLalla notes that Franklin has worked both at the Z receiver and in the slot during training camp, which could factor into his allotted snap count once the regular season begins. Courtland Sutton is locked in as Denver's No. 1 receiver, but behind him, Franklin is among a group vying for position in the pecking order. Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele and rookie third-round pick Pat Bryant are also among those aiming for a prominent role.

The Buccaneers signed Harris on Friday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Since they're dealing with a few different injuries at the receiver position, the Buccaneers saw fit to add Harris to the roster ahead of their first week of the preseason. His last regular-season action came with Jacksonville in 2023, when he played just 14 offensive snaps over two games.

The Chiefs signed Smith on Friday.

Less than two weeks after getting waived by Las Vegas, Smith is now getting another chance with a division rival. He'll probably have to make a big impression during the preseason to have any chance to make Kansas City's 53-man roster this season.

Bourne limped off the field during Friday's intrasquad scrimmage before heading to the locker room, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports.

Bourne went to the sideline after making a catch, and on the bench he had his left cleat off while Patriots staffers tended to him. The nature of the injury isn't known, but the eight-year pro could begin to fall behind in the battle for one of the few depth WR spots on the roster if he's required to miss a stretch of time due to the injury.

Shakir had his right foot/ankle examined by team trainers at Friday's practice before leaving the field, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

The Bills are taking in Friday's session at Highmark Stadium in what's called the Return of the Blue and Red practice, and a health concern now may be plaguing one of their key skill-position players. Shakir and the team agreed to a four-year, $53 million extension back in February due to his increasing standing as Buffalo's No. 1 wide receiver after putting together a 76-821-4 line on 100 targets in 15 regular-season games a season ago.

Wilson took a hit to the helmet or upper body during Friday's practice and went to the locker room, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Wilson laid out for a Kyler Murray pass, and as the ball arrived he clipped safety Budda Baker's right knee. Both players remained down for a spell before getting to their feet, but only Wilson left the field, perhaps to get a concussion check. The nature of Wilson's injury likely will become known once he undergoes testing.

Through the Patriots' first eight practices in training camp, Evan Lazar of the team's official site notes that Diggs (knee) "is a cut above at the receiver position due to his separation quickness, efficient movements and ability to win at the catch point with magnet hands."

Diggs is bouncing back from an ACL tear he suffered Week 8 of last season, but with no reported limitations in training camp and plenty of positive reviews on his on-field performance, the arrow is pointing up with regard to his chances of making an impact out of the gate this season. It remains to be seen what the team's plans are for the wideout in terms of his participation (or lack thereof) during the Patriots' upcoming preseason slate, but if Diggs is cleared for game action in that span, any lingering concerns that fantasy observers might still have at this point about the soundness of his knee should be erased.

Jefferson (hamstring) was working with team trainers on the side at the start of Friday's practice, Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Jefferson has been sidelined since last Friday, when he initially was reported to be dealing with a mild left hamstring strain. Coach Kevin O'Connell told Emily Leiker of The Minneapolis Star Tribune on Tuesday that Jefferson's rehab was "going really well. Already progressing." Now that Jefferson appears to be ramping up his activity level further, a return to practice itself could occur in the not-too-distant future.

Boutte still took some snaps with the starters during Thursday's walk-through practice, but he lost some first-team reps to Mack Hollins, who's back from the PUP list, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

In Hollins' absence, it was mostly Boutte who had been working with the first unit alongside Stefon Diggs, with DeMario Douglas in the slot. Now that Hollins is back in the mix, Boutte will continue to compete for slotting in a crowded WR corps that also includes Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Ja'Lynn Polk. While Boutte no doubt has an opportunity to secure a role in the Patriots' passing offense this season, the addition of Diggs (if healthy) in particular clouds Boutte's path to steady volume in 2025, after he was third on the team with 68 targets last season.