NFL Player News

Gray fielded punts in practice Thursday and is a candidate to take on that role for the Giants this season, Ryan Novozinksy of NJ Advance Media reports.

Gray wasn't a prominent return man in college -- he tallied just nine punt returns and four kickoff returns in his four-year tenure, including none of either type in his senior season -- but he's a logical candidate to see work in that regard for the Giants given his lateral quickness. Running back Gary Brightwell worked as New York's primary kickoff returner last season, while Richie James served as the team's top punt returner for much of the campaign. James is now in Kansas City, and the team may not want to turn to a starter such as cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who sprained his MCL while returning a punt in Week 11 last season and missed seven weeks. As such, Gray could take over on punts while also working in a limited role as a running back behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida.

Beasley worked as the Giants' No. 1 slot receiver during Thursday's practice, Ryan Novozinksy of NJ Advance Media reports.

Beasley's role Thursday must be taken with context, as Parris Campbell -- who has been occupying the No. 1 slot position during training camp -- was sidelined due a knee issue and Sterling Shepard and Wan'Dale Robinson are both working back from ACL tears. Still, it can only help Beasley in his quest to make the team and play a meaningful role this season that he had such a prominent opportunity to show that he still has gas left in the tank, especially since he reportedly has looked good in camp so far. The Giants have a crowded receiver room, especially in the slot, and it's too early to make any assumptions about how things will shake out, but Beasley appears to have at least a decent chance to secure a depth spot with New York in his age-34 campaign.

Bell brought in both targets for six yards during the Browns' 21-16 preseason win over the Jets in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

The 2022 third-round pick tied with several teammates for third in receptions on the night, but all of Bell's yardage actually came on one catch. The 24-year-old logged a team-high 236 snaps out of the slot last season and was in on 493 plays from scrimmage overall across 16 games, but he had a modest 24-214 line to show for it. The Purdue product is fighting to carve out a spot on the latter portion of the Browns' receiver depth chart, and he was notably outperformed by rookie third-round selection Cedric Tillman, one of his primary competitors, on Thursday. Bell will aim to make up ground during Cleveland's second preseason tilt, a home clash against the Commanders a week from Friday.

Tillman secured two of three targets for 35 yards during the Browns' 21-16 preseason win over the Jets in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

The 2023 third-round pick tied with Austin Watkins for the team lead in receiving yardage while also recording the Browns' second-longest catch of the night (20 yards). Tillman was a 1,000-yard receiver at Tennessee in 2021 before being limited to six games as a senior, and with Marquise Goodwin (illness) on the NFI list indefinitely, the rookie could carve out a No. 4 receiver role with a strong enough summer.

Felton rushed seven times for 46 yards and a touchdown, brought in two of three targets for nine yards and returned five punts for 10 yards during the Browns' 21-16 preseason win over the Jets in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

Felton was efficient throughout the night on the ground while leading the Browns in rushing yards. The 2021 sixth-round pick also had a presence in the passing game and recorded Cleveland's second touchdown on a 16-yard run off left guard just past the midway point of the third quarter. Felton has been underutilized from scrimmage over his first two seasons despite his versatile skill set, but with Kareem Hunt off the roster, the third-year pro will have a chance to make a case for a larger role throughout the remainder of the summer.

Thompson-Robinson completed eight of 11 passes for 82 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding six carries for 36 yards during the Browns' 21-16 preseason win over the Jets in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

Thompson-Robinson played the entire second half and immediately helmed an 11-play, 93-yard touchdown drive on his first possession. The rookie fifth-round pick was back at it two drives later, connecting with Austin Watkins for a 22-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Considering he didn't turn the ball over and also offered an impressive rushing dimension, Thompson-Robinson arguably outperformed his primary competitor for a roster spot, Kellen Mond, on the night. The two will continue their job battle a week from Friday in a home preseason matchup against the Commanders.

Mond completed 13 of 19 passes for 92 yards with one touchdown and one interception and rushed once for two yards during the Browns' 21-16 win over the Jets in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

Mond played the entire first half and threw his touchdown pass on his final play, connecting with John Kelly from three yards out just before halftime to cap off an impressive 17-play, 71-yard drive. The 2021 third-round pick is battling Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who followed him Thursday and was impressive as both a passer and rusher, for the No. 3 quarterback job. Mond's second-quarter interception in his own territory did set up a Jets touchdown, but otherwise, the Texas A & M product put together a respectable performance he'll aim to build on during a home exhibition matchup versus the Commanders a week from Friday.

Kuntz secured his only target for six yards during the Jets' 21-16 preseason loss to the Browns in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

The rookie seventh-round pick made a minimal offensive impact as his final line implies, but it was a quiet night overall for the Jets on that side of the ball. Kuntz will continue his uphill battle for a roster spot on a relatively deep tight-end corps in a road preseason battle against the Panthers a week from Saturday.

Brownlee brought in two of five targets for 17 yards during the Jets' 21-16 preseason loss to the Browns in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.

The undrafted rookie, who's been turning heads since OTAs, put together a solid showing relative to his playing time and the quarterback play overall. Brownlee's catch total tied him with two other players for the team lead on the night, while his target tally encouragingly set the pace for the Jets as well. While his numbers don't exactly jump off the page, Brownlee's volume suggests he consistently gained some separation, giving him something to build on in a road preseason battle against the Panthers a week from Saturday.

Abanikanda rushed nine times for 27 yards and a touchdown and brought in his only target for five yards during the Jets' 21-16 preseason loss to the Browns in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

The rookie fifth-round pick started the game and played up until just before the halfway point of the second quarter, scoring a 10-yard touchdown around left end on his final play with 9:04 remaining in the first half. Abanikanda gained just 17 yards on his other eight carries, so he wasn't exactly a study in efficiency. The rookie, who had a spectacular 1,431-yard, 20-touchdown season during his final college season at Pittsburgh a year ago, has reportedly been clearly behind incumbents Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight early in training camp and will look to achieve more carry-to-carry consistency during a road preseason matchup against the Panthers a week from Saturday.