NFL Player News

LCB Vontae Davis (hamstring) was also deactivated for Week 8. Thomas failed to turn in a full practice for the second straight week, but was expected to get the nod against the Giants’ 27th ranked run defense. Instead, he’ll sit out for the second time in four games, and leave the Dolphins’ running load to Reggie Bush and Lex Hilliard. Bush should easily see the most touches, but Hilliard could be in line for most short-yardage work. Bush should now be considered a solid RB3/flex play, while Hilliard is little more than a desperation option for players in deeper leagues.

This is just Maiocco’s “guess,” so his comments should not be taken as a declaration. Maiocco recently spoke with Kittle. They discussed the 32 hours of in-flight time to and from the 49ers’ Week 1 game in Australia, along with Kittle’s desire to be healthy for the full 2026 season. The 49ers have Super Bowl aspirations, so hurrying a star player back in time for an international season opener might not make sense. Delaying his 2026 debut to Week 2 adds 10 days to Kittle’s rehab schedule. The extra time could be hugely beneficial. The veteran tight end is a TE1, regardless of his Week 1 availability.

Shaffer posted a photo of the charges, which include a misdemeanor battery-family violence (first offense) charge, a reckless conduct charge and a first-degree criminal damage to property charge. A Ravens representative said the team is aware of the situation and has been communicating with him directly. The league office has also been notified, and the team will offer no further comment. Shaffer added details to the story in a piece published shortly after his initial post. Bateman was arrested “for allegedly smashing the windshield of a car while his 3-month-old child and the mother of his child were inside.” A report from earlier today indicated the Texans had looked into trading for Bateman. At this point, a suspension may be more likely.

Evans picked up a quad strain on August 3rd. He resumed practicing on August 11th and continued doing so until the 18th, when he left the 49ers’ joint practice with the Chargers early and was later seen icing his quad. This was just a cautionary move, per Maiocco, and Evans was able to do some pre-game running before the 49ers’ Thursday night preseason game against the Chargers two days later. Maiocco adds that he doesn’t expect Evans “to do much practicing” between now and Week 1, but he seems confident in his position that Evans will be good to go for the season opener. Evans, 33, has a history of soft tissue strains. When healthy, he is a WR2 with WR1 upside.

Jones and former Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard have been brought in to help shore up the Texans’ wide receiver corps. Second-year WR Jayden Higgins (knee) was placed on injured reserve today. The Texans are also still trying to figure out what they have in WR Tank Dell (knee), and WR Jaylin Noel (finger/hamstring) missed time in training camp with a pair of injuries. Jones is coming off a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. Neither he nor Shepard are worth drafting.

Reynolds, 31, was joined by WR Sterling Shepard, 33, today. Reynolds caught 11 passes for 101 yards with the Jets last year. Shepard caught 39 passes for 371 yards and one touchdown with the Buccaneers last year. Neither player would be on the fantasy radar if they were signed.

While Bateman might ultimately be excited about a change of scenery, a trade to Houston could be bittersweet. The 26-year-old wide receiver is excited about the Ravens’ new offensive coaching staff and publicly discussed some positive changes just yesterday. Bateman has been moving around the formation in training camp, which may afford him pre-snap flexibility, even if he lands with a new organization. The Texans are searching for help at the position following WR Jayden Higgins’ ACL tear. Texans veteran WR Tank Dell (knee) is making good progress, as is Jaylin Noel (finger/hamstring), but the position group has obvious questions to answer about its 2026 readiness. Bateman would potentially be a boom-bust FLEX if he switches teams.

Boutte has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason. Back in June, the Commanders and Raiders were linked to him in an ESPN report. Nothing has come to fruition thus far, and Boutte has received positive reviews throughout training camp. The Athletic’s Chad Graff described him as the camp “star” earlier this month. The Texans are attempting to improve their wide receiver corps after losing WR Jayden Higgins to an ACL tear recently. Fellow second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel has also been dealing with finger and hamstring injuries. Boutte would give the Texans a solid vertical element if he ends up in Houston. He might warrant FLEX treatment in the right matchup.

Jones played for the Cardinals last year, catching 12 passes for 183 yards before rupturing an Achilles tendon in Week 10 against the Seahawks. The Texans are hoping to bolster their wide receiver corps after losing WR Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL.

Bobo reportedly went up to make a catch and landed awkwardly before leaving the field. The 28-year-old receiver signed a two-year deal with the Seahawks this offseason, opting to match an offer he received from the Jaguars. Bobo has caught 34 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in his career and has been primarily used on special teams since entering the league in 2023. Head coach Mike Macdonald said after the game that Bobo’s injury appears to be a serious one. It wouldn’t be surprising if we learned in the coming days that this is a season-ender.

Given the reports we’ve received on Hill this offseason, this news doesn’t come as much of a surprise. In May, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hill might not be ready to play until closer to the midway point of the season, and in July, Hill himself said he had “no power” in his left leg. The 32-year-old receiver suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL and LCL, along with other ligament damage in Week 4 last season, and could be a long shot to play this season. Rosenhaus did say that Hill “looked great” in a video of him running hills the other day; we won’t have a good sense of where Hill stands in his recovery until he gets a chance to showcase his recovery on a football field.