NFL Player News

Hopkins is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Hopkins, whom the Chiefs brought in via a trade with the Titans this past week, practiced with his new team Thursday and Friday and headed into the weekend without a game designation. With his Week 8 active status confirmed, it remains to be seen what sort of workload Hopkins will see in his debut with Kansas City, though both Jay Glazer of FOX Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggest that the veteran wideout will see his share of snaps Sunday in situations that he's been able to prep for on the fly. The expectation beyond that is that as Hopkins gains more familiarity with the Chiefs' playbook, he'll become more involved in the team's offense, thus bolstering a WR corps that has been hit hard by injuries.

Meyers (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Chiefs.

Meyers was reported to be in line for a return from a two-game absence after wrapping up the practice week with a full session Friday, and his active status is now official. The veteran wideout returns to a notably altered wide receiver corps than the one he left, as Davante Adams was traded to the New York Jets during Meyers' absence. Meyers will therefore assume the No. 1 receiver role moving forward, albeit with the inconsistent Gardner Minshew as his quarterback beginning with a difficult matchup against the Chiefs' talented secondary Sunday.

McConkey (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Saints.

After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, McConkey logged a limited session Friday before approaching Sunday's contest listed as questionable. Now that his Week 8 availability has been confirmed, the 2024 second-rounder is in a position to remain a key target for QB Justin Herbert, barring any limitations or setbacks, after having caught 14 of his 22 targets for 156 yards and a TD over his last three games. With Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Derius Davis (hamstring) both inactive versus New Orleans, McConkey, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko figure to pace the Chargers' Week 8 wideout corps, with Brenden Rice, Jalen Reagor and Jaylen Johnson in reserve.

Davis (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Davis was listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's contest after being unable to practice all week, and his next chance at suiting up will be Week 9 against the Browns on Sunday, Nov. 3. Jalen Reagor and Ladd McConkey will be the Chargers' primary returners on kickoffs and punts with Davis sidelined.

Johnston (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Johnston, who was also inactive this past Monday against the Cardinals, was deemed a non-participant in practice Wednesday through Thursday before being working in a limited fashion Friday and then being listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest. In his continued absence, Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko are in line to lead the Chargers' Week 8 WR corps, with Brenden Rice, Jalen Reagor and Jaylen Johnson in reserve.

Metcalf (knee) is inactive for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Bills.

The star wideout was trending toward an absence throughout the week, having missed every practice of Week 8 prep after he sustained an MCL sprain late in the Week 7 win over the Falcons. With Metcalf's inactive status now official, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett are set to operate as the top two wide receiver targets for Geno Smith, while Kenneth Walker and Noah Fant could also be the beneficiaries of a slight bump in targets. Meanwhile, Metcalf will turn his attention toward a potential return to action in a key Week 9 divisional matchup against the Rams next Sunday.

Shepard is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons due to a hamstring injury.

Shepard had been targeted three times and caught two passes for 13 yards before leaving the contest late in the second quarter to have his hamstring injury evaluated. The Buccaneers are likely to have an update on Shepard's condition coming out of halftime.

Davis was forced out of Sunday's game against the Packers with a shoulder injury.

Prior to his exit, Davis hadn't caught a pass in the contest. In his absence, Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas are available to pace the Jaguars' Week 8 wideout corps.

Hopkins will play in all facets of Sunday's game against the Raiders, but he was introduced to 10-15 different plays, Jay Glazer reported on Fox NFL Sunday. Coach Andy Reid cited that he had Hopkins for only two days when discussing the number of plays introduced.

This report doesn't necessarily conflict with Ian Rapoport's earlier report that Hopkins could play significant snaps, and that Hopkins was 'given all that he could handle.' After all, what is considered 'significant' can be interpreted widely, and plays aren't necessarily the same thing as snaps.

Sims (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Sims wasn't able to play in Week 7 due to a back injury. He returned to practice this week and was able to participate without restrictions, but he will remain on the sidelines as a healthy scratch for Sunday's contest. Smith's next chance to suit up will be Thursday night against the Jets.