NFL Player News

Lance (undisclosed) got "banged up" in Thursday's practice and didn't play in New Orleans' preseason opener against Jacksonville on Saturday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

According to coach Kellen Moore, Lance was available to play in an emergency situation, so it doesn't sound like he's dealing with a serious injury. The rookie wideout is slated to jockey for positioning in the Saints' WR pecking order, and he could see his role increase in importance in the scenario that fellow rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) needs to miss time early in the regular season.

Cook carried the ball five times for 21 yards in Saturday's 29-14 preseason win over the Panthers.

The reigning NFL rushing champ played the entire first quarter in the Bills' preseason opener, and Cook's longest gain was a 13-yard scamper that helped set up a Keon Coleman touchdown. Josh Allen remains the focal point of the offense, but Cook proved last season that he can rack up elite production as well, and the fifth-year RB could see more receiving work in 2026 as new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael adds some wrinkles to Joe Brady's scheme.

Mevis made both of his field-goal attempts and each of his two extra-point tries during the Rams' 20-12 win over the Chiefs in Saturday's preseason game.

Mevis connected on field goals from 25 and 40 yards in the first half before tacking on the extra point following the Rams' two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He took over as the Rams' starting kicker in November of last season and made the most of his opportunity, connecting on 18 of 19 field-goal attempts and all 48 of his extra-point tries over the team's final 12 games of 2025 (including three playoff games). Mevis is the only kicker on the Rams' 90-man training camp squad, and that shouldn't change once the roster trims down to 53 players before the start of the regular season.

Shakir caught both his targets for 41 yards in Saturday's 29-14 preseason win over the Panthers.

The fifth-year wideout caught the first pass attempt of the preseason from Josh Allen, connecting on a 21-yard gain that helped set up a field goal in the first quarter. Shakir started alongside DJ Moore (lower body), and both were productive while Buffalo's first-stringers were in the game. The offseason addition of Moore gives the team a true No. 1 wide receiver, but his presence on the outside shouldn't have a big impact on Shakir's volume in the slot. Shakir has topped 70 catches in back-to-back campaigns, averaging 74 receptions on 97.5 targets for 770 yards and four TDs while missing three total regular-season contests in those two years.

Coach Kellen Moore said Saturday that the team is "still in collection mode" regarding Tyson (hamstring), Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Tyson suffered a right hamstring injury during practice Thursday, and Moore suggested Friday that the issue could impact the rookie wideout's availability for the beginning of the regular season. Tyson also dealt with hamstring issues during his final campaign with Arizona State, though Moore has said that his current injury isn't related. Nonetheless, fantasy managers who have yet to draft are justified in being wary of investing too heavily in Tyson given his current hazy outlook. However, if he's able to get healthy, Tyson is expected to have a major role in the Saints' passing game and possesses plenty of upside.

Allen caught two passes on five targets for 20 yards during the Chiefs' 20-12 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday.

Allen joined Jalen Royals and Tyquan Thornton as the Chiefs' three starting wide receivers while Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) observed Saturday's preseason game from the sidelines. Allen turned a screen pass from Justin Fields into a big gain the first quarter, only for the play to be negated by a holding penalty by Royals. Allen didn't end up registering his first catch until late in the second quarter, but he made a nice leaping 13-yard grab on a third-and-8 to move the chains. The rookie fifth-rounder drew praise after the game from head coach Andy Reid, who told reporters that Allen has "been doing well in camp...Looked like he picked right up from there," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Thornton is currently listed as the third starting wide receiver alongside Worthy and Rice on the Chiefs' unofficial depth chart, but Allen could play himself into a prominent role on offense with a strong performance in training camp and preseason games. The Chiefs will hit the road for their next exhibition game Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Buccaneers.

Allen completed six of eight passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 29-14 preseason win over the Panthers.

Getting the start in the Bills' preseason opener, Allen played the entire first quarter and led his team on two scoring drives, the second of which ended in a nine-yard TD strike to Keon Coleman. Allen didn't run the ball, but the 30-year-old quarterback is saving his legs for the regular season after scoring at least 12 rushing TDs each of the last three years and topping 500 rushing yards each of the last five.

Cincinnati placed Wright on the exempt/left-squad list Saturday.

The Bengals announced that Wright "has left the team to pursue other opportunities." He won't count against Cincinnati's 90-man training-camp roster.

Flournoy isn't suited up ahead of Saturday's preseason opener versus Seattle, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Flournoy won't play in the Cowboys' first preseason game, and coach Brian Schottenheimer said in early August that he's planning for the team's starters not to play at all during the preseason. However, Flournoy should have plenty of opportunities to continue to build chemistry with QB Dak Prescott during training-camp practices. Flournoy is essentially locked into the Cowboys' No. 3 receiver role, though that might not come with extensive opportunity behind the dynamic WR duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

Ferguson isn't suited up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Seahawks, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said in early August that the Cowboys' starters won't play during the preseason, so Ferguson's absence from the opener Saturday isn't a concern. The veteran pass catcher is slated to resume his role as Dallas' top tight end in 2026 after notching a career-high 82 receptions (on 102 targets) for 600 yards and a career-best eight touchdowns over 17 regular-season games last year. Dallas' tight-end corps will be rounded out by Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker, among others.