NFL Player News

Watkins caught four of eight targets for 64 yards in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders.

Watkins did come down with only half of his game-leading eight targets, but the consistent attention may offset the lack of consistency. The wide receiver was the favorite target of both Mac Jones and Adrian Martinez in the contest. Watkins also returned two kicks for 48 yards and two punts for 14 yards. The 2025 fourth-rounder's versatility was on full display in Thursday's preseason finale, and he has likely confirmed a roster spot for the beginning of the 2026 regular season.

White (hamstring) isn't suited up for Friday's preseason game in Baltimore.

White has been tending to a hamstring injury since Aug. 19 that will keep him sidelined for the Commanders' final two exhibitions. He was able to mix into individual drills as recently as Monday, though, so he's making progress in his recovery. White will join No. 1 RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (lower body) and Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps) on the sideline Friday.

Croskey-Merritt (lower body) won't suit up for Friday's preseason game at Baltimore.

On Aug. 20, Croskey-Merritt pulled up at the end of a catch and run in practice due to a lower-body injury, which now will keep him out of the Commanders' final two exhibitions. He focused on rehab work on the side this week, with the intent to return to practice at some point next week. Rachaad White (hamstring) and Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps) also aren't in uniform Friday, meaning rookie sixth-rounder Kaytron Allen, Robert Henry and Craig Reynolds are the team's available RBs for preseason Week 3.

Egbuka (toe) continues to rest and recover with the goal of being ready for Week 1, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Egbuka, per the report, made the trip to Jacksonville with his teammates for Friday's preseason finale, but he will not suit up and will instead keep working on his recovery from the toe injury he sustained a little over two weeks ago. It's not yet known when Egbuka will be back on the field, so his availability remains up in the air in advance of his team's season-opening matchup with the Bengals on Sept. 13.

Robinson is not believed to have sustained a concussion during Thursday's joint practice with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.

Robinson took a hard hit during Thursday's session and underwent tests, which apparently ruled out a concussion. Per the report, the Titans will continue monitoring Robinson's symptoms, but the early indications are promising and he seemingly is on track to take the field in Week 1 against the Jets on Sept. 13.

Jeanty's ankle injury is being monitored in advance of Week 1, but per head coach Klint Kubiak, the Raiders are "counting on him" to be available, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official website reports.

The extent of the injury Jeanty sustained at Sunday's practice session has not been revealed, but Kubiak's comments provide reason to believe the Raiders will have their top running back available for the season opener against the Dolphins on Sept. 13. Jeanty will have over two weeks to rest and recover before the campaign gets underway. Should he encounter any hiccups, Mike Washington remains next in line in the Las Vegas backfield.

Davis didn't receive a touch on offense but gained 11 yards on two punt returns while losing a fumble in Thursday's 28-27 preseason win over the Steelers.

His muffed punt return at the Buffalo 12-yard line in the first quarter led directly to Pittsburgh's first TD of the game on the very next play. It was a tough way for Davis to end his preseason, but the third-year RB has never returned a punt in his NFL career. Davis' spot as the No. 2 back behind James Cook seems fairly secure however, after he averaged 4.7 yards on 58 carries over 17 regular-season games last year.

Nowakowski caught one of two targets for seven yards in Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to the Bills.

The 2026 fifth-round pick was on the other end of the first pass attempt of the night from Will Howard (head), as Nowakowski worked with the first-team offense in the absence of the Steelers' regular starters. While he was purely a tight end in college, the Steelers are viewing Nowakowski as more of a hybrid fullback/TE, and that versatility could help him land a spot on the Week 1 roster.

Wetjen caught one of two targets for seven yards, gained 17 yards on his only kickoff return and added 61 yards and a touchdown on four punt returns in Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to the Bills.

The 2026 fourth-round pick took advantage of Buffalo being forced to punt out its end zone in the fourth quarter, catching the ball on the Bills' side of midfield, surviving some initial contact and then reversing course to jet down the left sideline to the house. Wetjen returned six kicks for TDs in three seasons at Iowa, but he doesn't offer much value on offense, so it remains to be seen whether the Steelers will carry the return specialist on the Week 1 roster.

Heidenreich carried the ball nine times for 35 yards and a touchdown while adding 47 yards on two kickoff returns during Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to Buffalo.

The rookie seventh-round pick showed some of his versatility by making a positive impression on special teams while also scoring Pittsburgh's only rushing TD of the night, taking a pitch from Drew Allar and churning his way through traffic from nine yards out in the third quarter. Heidenreich is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, but he curiously didn't catch a pass in the preseason despite that being his main strength in college, making it tough to evaluate his chances of sticking around behind the clear top backfield duo of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.