NFL Player News

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.

McLaurin (ankle) has requested a trade from the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McLaurin didn't attend mandatory minicamp in June and then made a late arrival at training camp due to his search for a contract extension. With seemingly no headway made on that front, he's looking to move on from the only team he's known since being a third-round pick of Washington back in 2019. Considering he's recorded five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the wide receiver likely will have at least some suitors, despite the fact he's turning 30 in September and assuming the Commanders acquiesce to his request.

The Browns signed Cota on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 25-year-old wide receiver has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game since going undrafted out of Oregon in 2023. He'll serve as camp depth for the Browns.

The 49ers waived Knowles on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Niners swapped out Knowles and Equanimeous St. Brown for fellow wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Andy Isabella on Thursday. Knowles has spent time with the Packers, Vikings and 49ers since going undrafted out of Kansas State in 2023, but he's yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

The 49ers released St. Brown on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

St. Brown lasted all of nine days with the team after signing with the 49ers last week. The team instead signed wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Andy Isabella on Thursday. St. Brown didn't catch a pass in the NFL last regular season.

The 49ers signed Isabella to a one-year contract Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Isabella hasn't caught a regular-season pass since the 2022 season with the Cardinals, the team that selected him in the second round of the 2019 Draft. Isabella spent time in the UFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks earlier this year. He should be viewed as a longshot to make the Niners' 53-man roster.

The 49ers signed Callaway to a one-year contract Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 27-year-old wide receiver appeared in two regular-season games for the Bucs last season but played just five offensive snaps and didn't draw a single target. He hasn't played meaningful regular-season snaps since 2022 with the Saints and should be viewed as a long shot to make the Niners' 53-man roster.

Shavers (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

Shavers injured his ankle last weekend and had to be carted off the field, but he avoided a serious injury and should be ready to roll for the Bills' preseason opener next week. Shavers has an uphill climb to win a roster spot with Buffalo after he spent most of 2024 on the practice squad.

Marshall (knee) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Marshall was injured during Tuesday's session and hasn't practiced since. The 25-year-old signed with the Eagles back in April after spending 2024 with the Panthers, 49ers and Raiders. Marshall appeared in seven regular-season games last season, all with Las Vegas, and caught three passes for 41 yards on six targets. He's trying to win a job in a top-heavy Philadelphia wideout room behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Jobs are up for grabs behind the two locked-in starters, but Marshall needs to get healthy.