NFL Player News

Wicks (calf) isn't practicing Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Wicks returned Thursday from a brief absence to log partial participation in practice. He sat out full-team drills, however, and is now missing practice entirely again. It's unclear if this is indicative of a setback or just part of Green Bay's plan to avoid aggravating Wicks' calf injury. In any case, it sounds like rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden is well on his way to locking up a top-three role alongside Jayden Reed (toe) and Romeo Doubs.

Reed will miss Friday's practice with a toe injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Reed left Thursday's practice early, with Packers coach Matt LaFleur explaining Friday morning that the wideout had an issue with his cleats. The problem apparently led to some discomfort or pain that can't be immediately solved by new cleats, but this doesn't sound like anything that will keep Reed out for long.

After a slow start to training camp, per John Shipley of SI.com, Brown has put together back-to-back good practices.

Per Shipley, Brown made a pair of explosive plays during Tuesday's session and then kept up his momentum Thursday, while "having the best day of any of the wide receivers and showing good chemistry" with starting QB Trevor Lawrence. As the coming campaign approaches, Brown is slated to play a key role in a wideout corps that is led by ascending second-year pro Brian Thomas and also includes WR/CB Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Beyond that high-profile 1-2 punch, Brown is projected to work as the team's No. 3 option at wide receiver, a context that could land him on the fantasy radar in deeper formats, particularly if Hunter is eased into the offense to any degree as a rookie.

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.