NFL Player News

Legette (shoulder) said Monday he is expected to undergo imaging tests on his AC Joint, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Legette was forced out of Sunday's loss to the Bears with a shoulder injury, and it appears the Panthers are concerned about the possibility of an AC joint injury. The results of Monday's imaging tests will reveal more about the rookie first-round pick's expected recovery timetable, though it's possible Carolina won't offer an actionable update until Wednesday's first official injury report of Week 6. In the event that Legette isn't cleared to face the Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 13, Jalen Coker will get a chance to work alongside Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo in three-wide sets.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Pearsall (chest) will not have his practice window opened ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Seahawks, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Pearsall will continue his rehab process, with San Francisco facing a short week of practices en route to a Thursday night divisional matchup against Seattle. For the time being, the rookie first-round pick will remain on the reserve/non-football injury list due to a gunshot wound sustained during an attempted robbery on Aug. 31. The 49ers haven't yet offered a clear timetable for Pearsall's return to practice, but with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings all healthy, the team has no incentive to rush him back.

Thornton was one the field for only one of a possible 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Though K.J. Osborn (shoulder) was inactive, Kendrick Bourne (knee) returned to action Sunday and Kayshon Boutte logged 40 snaps. With his playing time tapering off, Thornton is far from the fantasy radar, with Chris Mason of masslive.com suggesting that the 2022 second-rounder could be a trade candidate.

Austin secured one of two targets for six yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Although Austin was on the field for 76 percent of the of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday -- which ranked second among the team's wide receivers -- he was held to just one catch for the fourth time in five appearances this season. The 2022 fourth-rounder had tallied double-digit receiving yards in his two outings before Sunday's prime-time matchup, but he's had a limited target share for most of the year so far.

Jefferson secured three of his five targets for 26 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Jefferson led the Steelers' receivers in playing time during Sunday's matchup and recorded season-high marks in targets, receptions and receiving yards, but he still had a limited fantasy impact. Jefferson has been on the field for plenty of snaps early in the regular season, but he hasn't had a substantial target share.

Boutte was on the field for 40 of a possible 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

He caught both of his targets for 34 yards. With K.J. Osborn (shoulder) inactive, Boutte saw his most extensive playing time to date, effectively overtaking Tyquan Thornton in the WR pecking order. Kendrick Bourne was eased back into action Sunday though, and once he starts getting more playing time and/or Osborn returns, Boutte figures to see limited opportunities in the Patriots offense.

Brooks caught his only target for 10 yards in Sunday's win over the Steelers.

Even with Brandin Cooks (knee) on IR, there wasn't much of a role for Brooks in the Cowboys offense, as KaVontae Turpin moved into the No. 3 wideout role instead. Brooks has yet to catch more than one pass in a game this season, giving him very little fantasy appeal heading into a Week 6 clash with the Lions.

Turpin caught four of five targets for 50 yards and lost six yards on his only carry in Sunday's win over the Steelers. He added 38 yards on his only kickoff return.

With Brandin Cooks (knee) on IR, Turpin stepped into the No. 3 wide receiver role behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert and set season highs in receptions and targets. Turpin's biggest play came on the Cowboys' first drive of the second half, as Dak Prescott found him deep over the middle for a 34-yard strike. Turpin isn't likely to see big volume without further injuries ahead of him on the Dallas depth chart, but his ability to pop for a big gain any time he gets the ball makes him an upside option while Cooks is sidelined.

Polk was on the field for all 60 of the Patriots' snaps on offense in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Though the final box score shows Polk catching only one of his six targets for 13 yards, the wideout had a 12-yard TD catch with 1:08 remaining in the contest overturned after review. Over his last two games, Polk has seen his snaps increase and he has been targeted 13 times. Though that's only resulted in a combined four catches for 43 yards in that span, the 2024 second-rounder is a player who could pick up the pace in the coming weeks, especially if the Patriots hand the reins of the offense to rookie first-rounder Drake Maye instead of sticking with limited veteran Jacoby Brissett.

Jones (suspension) is set to be reinstated from the reserve/suspended list Monday, though the Cardinals aren't expected to immediately return him to the 53-man roster, Howard Balzer of USA Today reports.

Arizona is expected to request, and receive, a temporary roster exemption of one or two weeks for Jones, per Balzer. The veteran wide receiver received a five-game suspension back in August for violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Jones will be eligible to suit up Sunday on the road against Green Bay, but it sounds like the Cardinals will wait a week or two for him to get back up to game speed. Once he's deemed ready, Jones figures to compete with Greg Dortch for work alongside Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson.