NFL Player News

Kamara (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

With Kamara back on the field after being sidelined by a sprained MCL for most of the summer, he looks like he may have a shot at playing in Sunday's opener in Detroit. Travis Etienne is expected to operate as the Saints' lead back this season, but Kamara should still have a prominent role on offense as a change-of-pace option. If Kamara is unable to advance to full participation in practice by the end of the week and ends up sitting out Sunday, however, Etienne would get a big boost to his fantasy floor, making him a strong lineup option in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.

Tracy (neck) wasn't listed on the Giants' first Week 1 injury report Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Tracy sustained an apparent neck injury during New York's exhibition finale, but after landing a spot on the team's initial active roster and having nearly two weeks to recover, he's in good health ahead of a Week 1 matchup with the Cowboys. With Cam Skattebo leading the Giants backfield and Najee Harris and Devin Singletary also on hand for reps, it remains to be seen what kind of workload Tracy can expect in the regular-season opener.

Brooks (groin) said Wednesday he's 100 percent healthy and expects to play Sunday against the Bears, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Brooks was officially limited in practice Wednesday, but all indications are he did everything in the session and looked ready to go for the start of the season. Brooks will push Chuba Hubbard for carries in the Carolina backfield, but Hubbard is expected to open the campaign as the starter and lead back while Brooks sees plenty of work as the 1B option. It may be best to take a wait-and-see approach with him in fantasy.

Monangai (knee) is not listed on the Bears' Week 1 injury report Wednesday.

After missing a bunch of training camp and the entire preseason with a hyperextended knee, Monangai is ready to roll for the games that count. He should fill a similar role as last season behind D'Andre Swift, who out-carried Monangai 32 to 21 in the Bears' two playoff games. Monangai is one of the premier fantasy bench stashes at running back, and he could have some standalone value during bye weeks.

Swift (abdomen) is not listed on the Bears' Week 1 injury report Wednesday.

Swift dealt with cramps last week but is good to go for Sunday's season opener against the Panthers. With Kyle Monangai (knee) also removed from the injury report, Swift should operate as the clear RB1 versus Carolina, while Monangai is slated for a handful of carries behind him. Swift looks like a borderline RB1 fantasy option in Chicago's loaded offense.

Hall (groin) was a full participant on Wednesday's practice report, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

The star running back was a full-go to begin the practice week as Sunday's season opener looms. Hall suffered a groin injury late in camp but has been making good progress to the point that it's been expected that he will be ready for Week 1. Look for Hall to lead the Jets' backfield to begin the campaign.

Hubbard (hamstring) was not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.

Hubbard dealt with a hamstring injury last month but has been practicing since the calendar flipped to September. With Jonathon Brooks dealing with soreness in his groin for the past week and limited in practice, Hubbard looks like the frontrunner for carries and touches out of the Carolina backfield to open the season. He's shaping up as a low-end RB2 against Chicago on Sunday.

Brooks (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

There's now an official body part attached to Brooks' injury status after the Panthers were forced to clarify the running back's issue on the team's first official injury report of the season. Brooks has been dealing with "soreness" for more than a week, and the good news is that the problem is not in his surgically repaired knee. He was in full pads Wednesday, and a limited start to the week gives Brooks a good chance to play Sunday against the Bears. Chuba Hubbard is expected to open 2026 as the 1A to Brooks' 1B in the Carolina backfield.

Johnson (lower leg) isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Johnson has been a spectator for practices since Aug. 8, when he appeared to sustain a right leg injury during a 1-on-1 drill. Though he still has two more days to potentially fit in some on-field work prior to Sunday's game against the Texans, Johnson may be trending toward an absence in Week 1. If Johnson ends up missing the season opener, the Bills would have more snaps on passing downs available for lead back James Cook.

Brooks (general soreness) is in uniform and pads at Wednesday's practice, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.

With Brooks having worked off to the side earlier in the week, his presence in uniform and pads would suggest he's trending toward being available for Sunday's season opener against the Bears. If he plays, Brooks is expected to split backfield work with Chuba Hubbard, rendering both little more than low-end RB2 fantasy options until one is able to separate from the other atop the depth chart.