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    Makai Lemon has tough night, tips interception

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    PHI Wide Receiver #9
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    Eagles WR Makai Lemon caught 3-of-5 targets for three yards in Friday’s preseason game against the Bengals.

    Lemon had a rough night, but tonight’s outcome does not make him any less of a top-tier prospect. The first-round rookie was sidelined by a recurring hamstring injury for much of the spring and summer, so a rusty first showing is understandable. Lemon took the blame, on the field, for QB Tanner McKee’s interception, although it is fair to note that McKee’s pass arrived late. Lemon had broken inward, off his stem, and an open window was available to the Eagles’ backup quarterback. Unfortunately, Lemon was forced to slow down and leap for the pass, accidentally batting it backward as he attempted to high-point it. Bengals CB Tacario Davis snagged it and that was that. Davis also broke up a pass intended for Lemon on a corner route 20 yards downfield earlier in the game. He had a good night. Lemon may need to ramp up for another couple of weeks, but he remains a smart draft pick in 12-team leagues. Lemon later went back into the game to field a punt, but went nowhere with it.
Evaluating a 'very flat' NFL COY market
Drew Dinsick and Jay Croucher discuss the betting favorites for the NFL Coach of the Year award, headlined by Klint Kubiak and Ben Johnson at +600 following Week 4.

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  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
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    Lemon moved up a spot in the targets pecking order with DeVonta Smith sidelined, but it resulted in the same quiet box score he posted the first three weeks of his career. The No. 20 overall pick is now sitting on 10 receptions for a scoreless 65 yards through his first four NFL appearances. There has yet to be any light at the tunnel with regards to either his usage or the Eagles’ overall offensive environment. Even with byes beginning and injuries mounting, Lemon is not a recommended WR4 heading into Week 5 against the Jaguars.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    Lemon was the target on the team’s first play from scrimmage, gaining a first down on a first down play for the Eagles for the first time all season. The offense would sputter throughout the game on their way to only 47 offensive plays run from scrimmage, capping the fantasy upside of all involved in the process. Lemon has yet to live up to his lofty draft capital through the first three games of his professional career, but he could be called on for heavier work with tight end Dallas Goedert nursing an MCL sprain. Things don’t get any easier with a matchup against the Rams on deck for Week 4, where Lemon can safely be left on fantasy benches.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    Lemon also “added” a -5 yard rush. Lemon’s first quarter catch ended up going down as his only target of the afternoon. He’s now stuck on four catches for nine yards through his first two NFL contests, and is getting soundly out-targeted by Dontayvion Wicks. That’s with Darius Cooper mixing in. The Eagles are calling plays like Lemon has to be manufactured his touches. Two games is not a large sample size, but it is enough to know we can’t rely on Lemon as a WR4 for Week 3 in Chicago.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    It’s possible things could’ve gone worse for Lemon in his debut, but not much worse. The rookie first-rounder saw two of his four targets come at/behind the line of scrimmage, with his longest target coming eight yards downfield. Lemon’s 28 routes run were good for third-most among Eagles receivers in this one, but we would expect him to see a little more work downfield going forward. Lemon remains a bench stash heading into Week 2’s game against the Titans.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    It’s a reasonable assessment for a rookie who missed valuable spring and summer practice reps due to a recurring hamstring strain. Lemon reportedly admitted that he should have been “more professional off the field” regarding the injury, and Eagles WR coach Aaron Moorehead eventually told him to do “whatever” WR DeVonta Smith did during his own hamstring rehab program. Per McManus, “coaches say Lemon attacked the mental part of the game with high intensity as he waited to get healthy.” McManus believes Lemon should get playing time right away, but Smith and WR Dontayvion Wicks will “receive the bulk of targets while the rookie gets his footing.” Lemon must be safely stashed on benches at this time.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    Lemon returned to practice last week and was seen running with the first-team offense on Monday. Speaking with the media after Monday’s practice, Lemon confirmed that the hamstring injury he had been dealing with was in the same leg that had given him problems earlier this offseason. He’s missed a lot of time, but the rookie first-rounder has just under three weeks to get up to speed and be ready for the season opener, so we’ll see if he can get there. Lemon is worth a late-round pick in fantasy drafts, but shouldn’t be put in lineups until we see how he’s used in game situations.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    Lemon was back at practice for the first time in weeks. The first-round receiver missed most of minicamp and training camp up to this point with a hamstring injury. While Lemon is playing from behind, there’s plenty of time for him to work his way into the offensive game plan ahead of the Eagles’ Week 1 matchup against the Commanders.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    The rookie first-round pick has been sidelined for nearly two weeks with the hamstring issue, as DeVonta Smith deals with his own hamstring injury. While Lemon was seen running on the side at practice earlier this week, the Eagles will probably be careful with the wideout ahead of their Week 1 game against Washington. Lemon should operate as the team’s WR2 when healthy.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #9
    The good news: Eagles GM Howie Roseman didn’t seem overly concerned that Lemon wasn’t practicing during an interview with Kay Adams on Friday. Lemon also was seen catching passes from the JUGS machine on Saturday. Still, it’s the fourth consecutive missed practice for the rookie receiver who also missed time during minicamp. Lemon is starting from behind, but it’s important to remember how long the 17-game NFL season is. The Eagles will certainly need production from Lemon at some point as the team revises its passing attack without A.J. Brown.
  • PHI Wide Receiver #6
    It’s a blow to the Eagles as first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion uses training camp to install his system and ensure the team’s key players — including Lemon and Smith — are acclimated to the offense before the regular season. Hopefully the Eagles’ top two wideouts don’t miss much time with the soft tissue injuries. We can expect Eagles coaches to be cautious with Smith, the team’s new No. 1 receiver, and Lemon, who will likely play primarily from the slot in 2026. The Athletic’s Zach Berman said this week that the team “seems committed to finding ways to get [Lemon] the ball.”

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    Patriots brought in free agent RB Jamaal Williams for a workout.

    The Pats brought in an interesting name to work out for the backfield this week, bringing in former Packers, Lions, and Saints running back Jamaal Williams. The 31-year-old last appeared in the NFL for the Saints in 2024, tallying 164 rushing yards that season. He had a career year for the Lions in 2022, totaling 1,000 yards on the ground and leading the league in rushing touchdowns. The Patriots are looking for some depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson; there is no indication Williams will sign, but he will be practice squad depth if he does.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #87
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    Giants WR Braxton Berrios (foot) announced he will need season-ending surgery.

    Berrios announced on his Instagram that he will need season-ending surgery for his foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. The 31-year-old is primarily a special teamer, returning four punts and five kicks this season. Injuries have prevented Berrios from appearing in more than 14 games over the last three seasons and he now has his season end early as he requires foot surgery.
  • ATL Running Back #30
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    Falcons signed RB Jam Miller to their practice squad.

    Miller is a 2026 seventh-round pick by the Patriots, though he was waived during final cuts. He joins the Falcons practice squad as fellow RB Cash Jones is released.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #87
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    Broncos signed WR Cam Ross to their practice squad.

    With Pat Bryant (ankle) suffering a multi-week injury in Week 4, the Broncos are adding to their wide receiver depth by signing Ross to the practice squad. The 25-year-old Ross was an undrafted free agent out of Virginia who spent training camp with the Broncos before he was let go in final cuts. Ross now re-joins the practice squad. EDGE Jahfari Harvey was let go from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
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    Cardinals signed OL Jedrick Wills off Buffalo’s practice squad.

    He’ll replace Paris Johnson, who heads to season-ending injured reserve. Wills, the former 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft, will compete with 2026 seventh-rounder Jayden Williams for reps at left tackle in Johnson’s absence.
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    Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter (knee) did not practice on Tuesday.

    It was a mid-week downgrade after a limited estimated session on Monday. Trotter’s in real danger of missing Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys.
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    Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (right groin/hip) did not practice on Tuesday.

    It was an addition to the report. Never a great sign, especially on a short week. The Buccaneers aren’t carrying a practice-squad kicker, so expect some workouts as they try to find someone you won’t be starting in fantasy football with Jalon Daniels under center.
  • ARI Tight End #89
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    Cardinals placed TE Hunter Long (knee) on injured reserve.

    He’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Long had played 91 snaps in his first four weeks with the Cardinals and will cede blocking duties to promoted practice-squadder Teagan Quitoriano for those of you in points-per-blocked-players leagues.
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    OT Lane Johnson retired from the NFL after 14 seasons.

    We’d heard word through former Eagles EDGE Brandon Graham on a post-game show that this was on the table following Week 4, but it’s still a stunner to see it come to fruition. Johnson cites that his “personal and family priorities” have changed in his post about retiring. The stalwart Eagles right tackle made two first-team All-Pro appearances and three second teams, along with six Pro Bowls. Markel Bell started in his stead in Week 4 and should be expected to get the playing time at right tackle going forward.
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    Browns designated QB Dillon Gabriel (back/IR) for return.

    His 21-day practice window will open up. There’s obviously no rush to promote him to the active roster with the Browns already dressing three quarterbacks every week, so this is probably just starting a ticking clock on a trade or cut from the quarterback room.