NFL Player News

The Commanders signed Sanders on Friday, Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.

Sanders hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since the 2022 season with the Dolphins, when he caught two passes for 17 yards on three targets across three contests. Now 26 years old, Sanders spent some time on the Patriots' practice squad in 2024.

The Jaguars waived Rees-Zammit (back) on Friday.

Rees-Zammit was part of the NFL's international program as a former rugby player, and he informed the Jaguars on Thursday evening that he's returning home to Wales to play rugby. Rees-Zammit had been missing practices due to a back injury.

Wayne (hamstring) did not practice Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wayne is competing for one of the final spots at wide receiver in Houston. In 2024, Wayne appeared in three regular-season games and then the Texans' playoff loss to the Chiefs. He didn't see a target during the regular season but did draw two of them versus Kansas City, failing to catch either one.

Worthy (concussion) is participating in Friday's practice, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Worthy exited practice Tuesday and was placed in the concussion protocol, but he's advanced quickly enough through it to return to the field Friday. The second-year wideout is a candidate for a big leap this season after he and Patrick Mahomes showed improved chemistry down the stretch and into the playoffs last year. Rashee Rice is also expected to be given a multi-week suspension at some point during 2025.

Smith (back) is missing a fourth straight practice Friday, but he's progressed to warming up with teammates and running with trainers, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

He first missed practice Monday, with reports attributing it to back soreness or a back contusion. It sounds like Smith will be back in practice soon enough, occupying his usual role as the No. 2 receiver in Philadelphia's narrowly concentrated offense.

The Commanders don't appear interested in dealing McLaurin (ankle), who requested a trade Thursday, according to Nicki Jhabvala and Diana Russini of The Athletic.

The Commanders may not want to meet McLaurin's price in extension negotiations, but they've reportedly shut down other teams that have inquired about a trade. It's a tricky situation, as he turns 30 in September and is drastically underpaid relative to his 2024 production (now in the final season of a three-year, $68.3 million contract, with a $15.5 million base salary for 2025). He rightfully expects a massive raise on his next deal, while the Commanders may be hesitant to sign an extension with large guarantees through his age-32/33 seasons. After holding out from June minicamp and the first few days of training camp, McLaurin reported to the team this past weekend but has been absent from practice due to an ankle injury. It's not clear whether the ankle is a real concern, as all reports so far are pointing to money and security as the real issues at hand for the soon-to-be 30-year-old wideout.

TeSlaa brought in two of three targets for 46 yards during the Lions' 34-7 preseason loss to the Chargers in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

The rookie third-round pick flashed with both of his receptions, which came on consecutive plays during the Lions' third possession. TeSlaa recorded catches of 24 and 22 yards over the middle from Kyle Allen, flashing the speed and athleticism that prompted the Lions to make a somewhat controversial trade up in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select him. The Arkansas product is looking to make a case for a reliable reserve role in a talented receiving corps, and he should have plenty more opportunities to showcase his acclimation to the NFL game during upcoming preseason contests.

Harris didn't bring in his one target during the Chargers' 34-7 preseason win over the Lions in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

The rookie second-round pick wasn't able to make a mark on the stat sheet in his first official game, but Harris' stock naturally remains high after Los Angeles' investment in him in April's draft. The Ole Miss product, who exceeded 950 receiving yards in each of his last three college seasons at Ole Miss while also compiling 25 touchdown receptions in that span, is expected to open the regular season as no less than the No. 3 receiver behind Ladd McConkey (undisclosed) and Quentin Johnston.

Lambert-Smith secured both targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 34-7 preseason win over the Lions in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

Lambert-Smith set the pace for the Chargers in receiving yards while also sharing the team lead in receptions with multiple teammates. The rookie fifth-round pick, who's been standing out during the early stages of training camp, flashed his speed on a game-long 28-yard reception during Los Angeles' second possession, when he beat 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw down the right side of the field. Lambert-Smith then capped off his night with a 15-yard touchdown grab just past the two-minute warning in the second quarter, closing out a performance that served as an ideal carryover from his work on the practice field. The Auburn product is slotted in the latter portion of the Chargers' wide receiver depth chart at the moment, but he'll seemingly be given plenty of opportunity to make a case for a solid rookie-season rotational role on a team that's prioritized adding playmaking prowess to the offense all offseason.

Pittman (groin) participated at the start of Thursday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Pittman suffered a groin injury at Tuesday's session, but after the Colts had an off day Wednesday, he was back on the field in at least some capacity one day later. He's developed into the Colts' top pass-catching option since being selected in the second round of the 2020 Draft, recording two 1,000-yard seasons and catching at least 88 passes three times in his five-year career.