Who Should I Start? Russell Gage Jr. or Diontae Johnson

Thursday, August 28, 6:31 PM

The San Francisco 49ers re-signed wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. (knee) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday and released safety Richie Grant in a corresponding move, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gage, who did not practice with the team on Thursday due to a knee injury, returns to the team after being released on cutdown day on Tuesday. The return of the 29-year-old speaks to how beat up their receiving room is right now with the Week 1 regular-season opener just over a week away. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is on the PUP list, and Jauan Jennings (calf) and rookie Jordan Watkins (ankle) are up in the air to be ready on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. If both Jennings and Watkins are unavailable for the season opener, it's possible that Gage will be forced into a starting role early on.

Tuesday, August 26, 9:51 AM

The Cleveland Browns have released veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson, making him one of Tuesday's notable roster cuts. Johnson, a 2021 Pro Bowler with the Steelers, was battling for a reserve role behind Cedric Tillman and Jerry Jeudy but fell short. The six-year veteran has bounced around recently, spending time with the Panthers, Ravens, and Titans last season, struggling to regain his early-career form. Still, Johnson's polished route running and proven production give him a chance to latch on elsewhere. As teams finalize their rosters before Week 1, the 289-year-old could emerge as a depth option for a contender.