NFL Player News

Etienne was rested for all three of the Saints' preseason contests and is fully healthy heading into the team's Week 1 game in Detroit.

Etienne was one of the few Saints running backs to avoid any sort of injury scare or setback during training camp. Ty Chandler (knee) is out for the season after landing on injured reserve, and Alvin Kamara (knee) appears to be trending toward sitting out Week 1. Additionally, Kendre Miller sustained a minor undisclosed injury during practice Tuesday and is day-to-day, while Audric Estime is healthy but missed time in camp due to an ankle issue. After signing a four-year, $52 million deal in March, Etienne had already looked poised to handle a sizable workload for New Orleans both as a lead runner and pass catcher, and the current condition of his backups following camp and the preseason adds further fuel to the notion that he'll be in line for heavy volume right of the gate.

Shough drew positive reviews for his performance during the Saints' final practice of training camp Aug. 26, Grant Chachere of SI.com reports.

Though he didn't play at all in the preseason while the Saints instead opened up more reps for backups Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson, Shough reportedly looked sharp throughout training camp while keeping the New Orleans offense productive. Shough was able to close out camp on a high note by tossing three touchdown passes during 11-on-11 sessions, and Shough would have had two more had Devaughn Vele secured a one-handed catch in the end zone and had Chris Olave not fumbled near the goal line on another play. New Orleans will be without one of its key playmakers to begin the season in rookie first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), but Shough appeared to build good chemistry with new starting running back Travis Etienne, who was a frequent target of the quarterback during camp practices.

Sampson was rested for the Browns' 37-13 win over the Patriots in their Aug. 27 preseason finale.

Cleveland held both of their top two backs -- Quinshon Judkins and Sampson -- out for the third game of the preseason to open up more playing time for other running backs to stake claims to roster spots. Judkins is locked in as the Browns' lead runner heading into their Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars, but Sampson should have a consistent role as a weapon on passing downs. Sampson proved to be adept as a pass catcher during his 2025 rookie campaign, drawing 40 targets on just 249 snaps while producing a 33-271-2 receiving line. He was much less productive as a runner, however, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 65 totes.

The Falcons plan for Penix (knee) to start "eventually" this season, but head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to decide whether Penix or Tua Tagovailoa will direct the offense Week 1 in Pittsburgh, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Penix didn't suit up for the preseason while completing his recovery from Nov. 25 surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, but he was cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills just under two weeks ago and has been able to get some reps in with the first-team offense. Stefanski plans to continue evaluating both Penix and Tagovailoa in practices this week and next before naming a starter. Because of Penix's limitations for much of training camp, Tagovailoa initially appeared to be a strong bet to open the season as the Falcons' starter, but a poor preseason in which he fumbled twice and struggled to push the ball down the field has thus far prevented him from securing the Week 1 nod.

The Buccaneers signed Patterson to the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Buccaneers waived Patterson during Sunday's cutdown day. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech cleared waivers and promptly re-signed with the team that took a shot on him in late May. Patterson participated in all three preseason games, catching 13 passes for 72 yards.

The Buccaneers signed Greene to the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Buccaneers waived Green during Sunday's cutdown day. The wide receiver spent the entire 2025 season on the practice squad and promptly returned to the unit once he cleared Sunday's waivers. Greene was not elevated for a game during the 2025 season, but his six receptions for 80 yards over three preseason games in 2026 show he may have improved enough to suit up a few times throughout the regular season.

The Buccaneers signed Williams to the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Buccaneers waived Williams during Sunday's cutdown day. The running back cleared waivers and joined the practice squad, where he resided for much of the 2025 season. Williams played in three games for the Buccaneers during the 2025 regular season, rushing four times for 11 yards while accumulating 129 kick return yards.

The Buccaneers signed Stick to the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Colts cut Stick on Sunday, but the quarterback has found a new home with the Buccaneers and will provide additional depth in case Baker Mayfield or Jalon Daniels misses time during the 2026 season.

The Buccaneers cut Culp from the practice squad Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Buccaneers waived Culp on Sunday, and after the tight end cleared waivers Monday, he joined the team's practice squad before ultimately being cut Wednesday. Culp was cut from the practice squad to make room for cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who won the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season.

The Seahawks signed Hicks to the practice squad Monday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Hicks cleared waivers after being waived by the Seahawks during Sunday's cutdown day. The wide receiver was waived twice by the team in August but keeps finding his way back to the organization. Hicks participated in the final two preseason games for the Seahawks, catching his sole target for 12 yards.