- The Steelers may have lost some more firepower to start the season. After ranking second in the league in yards in 2014, Pittsburgh was already set to be without running back Le'Veon Bell for the first two games of 2015 as he serves a suspension. Now, the team may be without second-year receiver Martavis Bryant for its first four games as he faces a suspension for violating the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy. The suspension is reportedly under appeal, so there's hope for Steelers fans, but these suspensions tend not to go from four to zero. Bryant was primed for a big-time sophomore season after catching eight touchdown passes in just 10 games last season, averaging over 21 yards per catch. Expect any time Bryant misses to have a positive impact on the amount of targets the likes of Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and rookie Sammie Coates see. It will be difficult for any of them to fill-in for Bryant as a deep or red-zone threat.
- Robert Griffin has been cleared to play by an independent neurologist after suffering a concussion in last week's preseason game against Detroit. Unless plans change, he'll be under center against the Ravens on Saturday. After looking like a fish out of water in Jay Gruden's offense over the past season, Saturday would be a good time for Griffin to show that he's making strides. Griffin is just 6 for 13 for 44 yards thus far this preseason, his 54.6 QB rating well behind that of Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins who have posted ratings of 131.6 and 118.3, respectively, albeit against lesser competition. Gruden has maintained that there is no QB competition in Washington, but it'll be interesting to see if that sentiment survives more hiccups.
- Julian Edelman, who has been hampered by a lower-leg injury, participated in receiver drills at Wednesday's practice. Edelman is unlikely to play in New England's third preseason game and his status for Week 1 is unclear, but his presence at practice has to be a welcome site for Tom Brady and company as both he and his fellow 2014 starter Brandon LaFell have been dealing with injuries. Edelman has been a relatively quiet star for New England over the past two seasons, leading the team in receptions during both campaigns for a combined 197 catches, 2,028 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- Joique Bell remains on the Lions' physically unable to perform list with knee and Achilles injuries. Bell's health further complicates the quagmire that the Lions' stable of backs may pose for fantasy owners. Though he has rushed for a combined 15 touchdowns and caught 87 passes over the past two seasons, Bell appears set to share touches with rookie speedster Ameer Abdullah and second-year back Theo Riddick, quarterback Matthew Stafford confirming earlier this week that the Lions will use a rushing committee. With offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi taking many cues from his former boss, Sean Payton, one can wonder if the Lions will deploy a similarly maddening running back rotation that has kept owners of Saints' backs on their toes over the years.
- They played musical chairs in the Bills' quarterback room this week and EJ Manuel finally emerged with a seat. Manuel will start Saturday's game against the Steelers, becoming the third Buffalo quarterback to start this season. In backup duty thus far this preseason Manuel has played rather well, going 13 for 22 for 188 yards and two touchdowns with no picks, his 117.2 QB rating above that of Matt Cassel's 90.1 and Tyrod Taylor's 84.0. Whether Saturday's start will serve as an audition for a roster spot or starting gig is anyone's guess, but either way Manuel will be at the disadvantage of potentially being without the bulk of Buffalo's receiving corps. Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin and Robert Woods are all expected to sit out Saturday.
- Victor Cruz will miss the Giants' preseason game against the Jets on Saturday with inflammation in his calf. Cruz has yet to appear in a preseason game this year and while there may be some desire to try and get him up to speed as he returns from a tear to the patellar tendon in his right knee, the Giants are being smart here by not pushing him in what is ultimately a meaningless game. With the Giants' secondary razor thin, Cruz and fellow receivers Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle, both dealing with their own injuries, may be counted on to help the Giants win more than their share of shootouts this season.
- Johnny Manziel will sit out the Browns' final two preseason games as he deals with elbow soreness, leaving the backup quarterbacking to Thad Lewis. It's been a tumultuous first 16 months in Cleveland for Manziel, but he has settled down a bit this preseason, completing 17 of 29 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Once he's healthy, Manziel should slide back into the Browns' backup job behind Josh McCown.
- Emmanuel Sanders could be a full participant at Broncos practice as early as next week, head coach Gary Kubiak told reporters on Thursday. Sanders has been held out of practice in recent weeks with a hamstring injury, giving plenty of first-team reps to second-year receiver Cody Latimer. Though often in the shadow of fellow Bronco Demaryius Thomas, Sanders' 101 receptions and 1,404 receiving yards both ranked fifth in the league in 2014. Sanders may see a more diversified role in 2015, perhaps seeing more time in the slot with Latimer serving as the team's No. 3 receiver. With an increased emphasis on the run in Denver, however, Sanders is unlikely to match last year's totals.
- Just over two weeks away from the season opener against Sanders' Broncos, Ravens rookie receiver Breshad Perriman is still without a timetable to return from a knee sprain. Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that the injury is healing slower than expected. The Ravens selected Perriman in the first round of the 2015 draft with the intention of using him to help ease the blow of losing Torrey Smith's 11 touchdown receptions and deep speed in free agency. With Perriman's immediate future murky, Kamar Aiken remains as the projected starter alongside Steve Smith with Marlon Brown likely to serve as the team's No. 3 receiver.