Carolina Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee) has been cleared to participate in practice, but head coach Ron Rivera said Benjamin likely will be eased back into practice.

Footballguys View: Benjamin is a low-end WR2 for fantasy owners, but make sure to monitor that ADP as we get closer to draft time. His draft position has been getting a bit higher as of late, so make sure he doesn’t get taken too soon in your draft. The Panthers are going to target him early and often, but TE Greg Olsen will get his and second-year WR Devin Funchess could also be more involved.

Carolina Panthers CB Bene Benwikere (knee) was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list Wednesday, July 27.

Carolina Panthers CB Leonard Johnson (undisclosed) was placed on the Non-Football Injury list Wednesday, July 27.

New England Patriots DT Alan Branch (undisclosed) was placed on the Non-Football Injury list Wednesday, July 27.

Baltimore Ravens LB Cavellis Luckett (undisclosed) and DB Jumal Rolle (undisclosed) were waived/injured Wednesday, July 27.

Free-agent WR Hakeem Nicks (Giants) will sign a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, according to a source.

Chicago Bears LB Pernell McPhee (knee) and OG Amini Silatolu (knee) were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list Wednesday, July 27. General manager Ryan Pace said he is not sure if McPhee will be able to play in any of the preseason games.

Chicago Bears WR Marquess Wilson (foot) was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list Wednesday, July 27. Wilson reported to training camp with a walking boot on his broken foot.

Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said he is comfortable with CB Tony Lippett being one of the starting cornerbacks entering training camp. Lippett was scheduled to compete with CB Xavien Howard (knee) for the job, but he has been sidelined because of a knee injury.

Baltimore Ravens OB Joe Flacco (knee) said he will be wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee during practices and all of the regular season games.

Footballguys View: Flacco is coming back from a major knee injury, so Ravens fans should be happy he’s wearing a brace for added protection. He can scramble, but that’s not a major part of his game so we don’t think the brace will be a problem for Flacco.