NFL Player News

Waddle brought in his only target for 35 yards in the Broncos' 33-13 preseason loss to the Packers on Friday.

Making his team debut, Waddle made very good use of his one opportunity during his brief time in the game Friday. The speedy offseason addition got loose down the seam on a third-and-5 play and gained an additional 10 yards after the catch to put Denver deep into Green Bay territory. Waddle looked completely unencumbered by the muscle tightness in his leg that had plagued him earlier in the week, and Friday's cameo may represent the extent of the 2021 first-round pick's game action until a Week 1 Monday night road showdown against the Chiefs.

Abdullah carried the ball six times for 45 yards and caught three of four targets for 37 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers.

With the Jaguars' resting Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez and LeQuint Allen sidelined by a soft-tissue injury, Abdullah and DeeJay Dallas split the backfield reps in the first half. While they each saw nine touches, Abdullah outgained his competition 82 scrimmage yards to 40, and Dallas also lost a fumble. Even at age 33, Abdullah still looks like he can contribute as a passing-down option and kickoff returner, and if Allen isn't 100 percent by Week 1, the veteran could claim the RB3 role to begin the season.

Williams caught all four of his targets for 22 yards and gained two rushing yards on his lone carry during Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers.

Four of Williams' five touches came in the first quarter with Nick Mullens under center, as the Jaguars rested their likely Week 1 starters on offense. Williams is battling fellow sixth-round rookie Josh Cameron for a spot on the gameday roster, but neither should be expected to see a significant role unless injuries to Parker Washington (undisclosed) and Jakobi Meyers (hand) linger into the regular season.

Cameron caught both his targets for 41 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers.

The 2026 sixth-round pick made both his receptions in the first quarter with Nick Mullens under center, as the Jaguars rested their likely Week 1 starters on offense. Cameron is battling fellow sixth-round rookie C.J. Williams for a spot on the gameday roster, but neither should be expected to see a significant role unless injuries to Parker Washington (undisclosed) and Jakobi Meyers (hand) linger into the regular season.

Mullens completed six of seven passes for 65 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers.

The Jaguars rested their starters in this one, so Mullens was under center for the first quarter and led the offense on one field-goal drive in two possessions before turning things over to Carter Bradley. Mullens figures to be the No. 2 quarterback this year behind Trevor Lawrence, a role that may not require him to see much action -- Lawrence has played all 17 regular-season games in three of his five NFL seasons.

Howard completed 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Friday's 17-0 preseason loss to the Jets.

Howard played the first half of Friday's shutout loss and didn't help his case to win the top backup job. Drew Allar didn't produce any points after halftime, either, so Friday's big winner in the competition to back up Aaron Rodgers was probably Mason Rudolph, who was idle alongside Rodgers. Howard's pair of interceptions were especially concerning considering they came against a Jets defense that didn't muster a single interception during the entire 2025 regular season. Both Howard and Allar will likely get a chance at redemption in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bills.

Metchie caught six of seven targets for a game-high 77 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason win over the Jaguars.

While Metchie led the Panthers in catches, targets and receiving yards, he didn't make his first reception until the second half, as Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker worked with the starters in the first quarter and David Moore and Brycen Tremayne were Kenny Pickett's wideouts in the second quarter. Once Metchie got onto the field, however, he made an immediate impact and showed strong chemistry with Pickett. Now on his fourth NFL team after being a second-round pick of the Texans in 2023, Metchie is coming off the best stretch of his career in the second half last season with the Jets. The Panthers' WR depth chart remains unsettled behind McMillan and Coker, and Metchie's effort Friday should keep him in the running for a significant role once the regular season rolls around.

Taylor caught his only target for 10 yards in Friday's 17-0 preseason win over the Steelers.

Taylor has been operating as the team's top tight end in training camp, as rookie first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) has been sidelined since the first week of August. Backup TE Jelani Woods capped the opening drive with a touchdown catch Friday, four plays after Taylor moved the chains with a 10-yard grab on 3rd-and-9. Even once Sadiq gets healthy, Taylor's reliability as both a pass catcher and blocker should allow the 2025 second-round pick to maintain a sizable role.

Coker caught his only target for four yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason win over the Jaguars.

The Panthers' starting offense played the entire first quarter, but Coker wasn't a focal point of the passing game while Bryce Young was under center. Coker is coming off an intriguing second half in 2025, posting a 29-349-3 line on 36 targets over the final eight regular-season games before erupting for nine catches, 134 yards and a TD on 12 targets in a wild-card loss to the Rams, and the third-year wideout figures to be Young's second option behind Tetairoa McMillan.

Mitchell caught both of his targets for 29 yards in Friday's 17-0 preseason win over the Steelers.

Geno Smith completed seven passes to six different targets on the game's opening drive, and Mitchell is the only receiver whom Smith connected with twice. They linked up for an eight-yard gain on Smith's first pass and combined for a 21-yard pickup on the very next play. Mitchell and Smith have reportedly developed strong chemistry in training camp, and that was on display during their brief time in the game Friday. The Jets drafted WR Omar Cooper 30th overall, but all signs point to Mitchell opening the season as a starter on the outside opposite Garrett Wilson.