NFL Player News
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Jayden Reed WR | GB
Packers' Jayden Reed: Opens campaign with big performance
Reed caught four of six targets for 138 yards and a touchdown and added one rush for a 33-yard touchdown in Friday's 34-29 loss to Philadelphia.
Reed had two huge plays in the second quarter -- a 33-yard touchdown run and a 70-yard reception for his second score. The second-year wideout had only three other catches, but two of them went for big gains of 26 and 33 yards, respectively. Quarterback Jordan Love spread the ball around pretty evenly Friday, with eight different players receiving at least two targets and all three of the team's top wideouts -- Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson -- getting at least five looks. That trend could continue throughout the campaign, as all three are likely to play a big role in the Packers' passing game, but Reed has shown a knack for producing even without being the clear-cut No. 1 receiver during his time in the NFL. He'll likely be a key part of the team's offense again Week 2 against Indianapolis, though his outlook will dampen if Love, who left the contest in the final seconds of the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury, ends up missing time.
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Malik Heath WR | ATL
Packers' Malik Heath: Won't suit up in season opener
Heath (coach's decision) is inactive for Friday's Week 1 game in Brazil against the Eagles, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Heath had a nice preseason that helped him make Green Bay's 53-man roster, but he won't play in the team's first game of the regular season. That leaves the Packers with five active receivers for the contest -- Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton. Heath may need an injury to a wideout (or two) ahead of him in the pecking order to see regular offensive snaps during the campaign.
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Jauan Jennings WR | MIN
49ers' Jauan Jennings: Limited in practice again
Jennings (ankle) remained limited in practice Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Jennings dealt with ankle and then oblique injuries during the preseason, but there'd been no report of recent trouble until the Niners listed him Thursday on their first official injury report of the season. He's now been limited in back-to-back practices, setting up Saturday as the final chance for full participation before the Niners host the Jets on Monday.
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Rashod Bateman WR | BAL
Ravens' Rashod Bateman: Lightly used Thursday night
Bateman caught two passes for 53 yards on five targets in Thursday's loss to the Chiefs.
Bateman was on the field for 84 percent of the snaps Thursday but finished fourth on the team in targets. The Ravens threw an uncharacteristic 41 times, something that in all likelihood won't happen too often this season, and he still could not draw Lamar Jackson's attention. Bateman being fourth in line for targets is a disappointing start for those believing in a breakout from him this season. However, the Ravens have a more favorable Week 2 matchup with the Raiders going to Baltimore.
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DJ Chark WR | ATL
Chargers' DJ Chark: Won't play Sunday
Chark (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Raiders.
With Chark unavailable, Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are slated to lead the Chargers' Week 1 wideout corps. Chark, who didn't practice this week, thus will target a potential return to action Sunday, Sept. 15 versus the Panthers.
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Tyler Lockett WR | LV
Seahawks' Tyler Lockett: Looking good for Sunday
Lockett (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Denver, but comments from head coach Mike Macdonald in combination with the wide receiver's full practice participation Friday suggest that the wideout will play, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.
In other words, Lockett likely would be listed as probable if the designation still existed. He injured his thigh in mid-August and missed more than two weeks of practice, returning this Monday and ultimately progressing to full participation by the end of the week. Both Lockett and Macdonald have expressed confidence that the wideout will be active ahead of a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.
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Kadarius Toney WR | CLE
Kadarius Toney: Tries out for Cleveland
The Browns hosted Toney for a tryout Friday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Toney recently visited with the Seahawks, but he ended up departing Seattle without a deal. It was reported that he had one more workout lined up, after which he would make a decision on whether to sign with one of the two suitors. With Cleveland being revealed as the second team in the mix, Toney's decision could come down to where he feels he has the best opportunity to contribute. In either case, he'd likely have to start on the practice squad, but the Browns are relatively thin at receiver behind Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, especially after having waived David Bell on Thursday.
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DeAndre Hopkins WR | BAL
Titans' DeAndre Hopkins: Game-time decision at Chicago
Hopkins (knee) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Bears, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Hopkins officially is listed as questionable, but his status may not be known until 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Chicago. The team has concerns over the veteran wide receiver's conditioning level, as he missed extensive practice time while recovering from a knee injury over the past six weeks. Treylon Burks would be the top candidate for increased reps on the outside if Hopkins is ruled out Sunday.
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Tyler Lockett WR | LV
Seahawks' Tyler Lockett: Questionable for season opener
Lockett (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.
Lockett has been bothered by a thigh injury since mid-August and was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday. He said Monday that his limitations in practice have been related to maintenance, telling reporters that he'd be fine to play in the season opener. The Seahawks apparently don't consider it a sure thing, although coach Mike Macdonald said Friday that "we expect [Lockett] to play," per Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.
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Jerry Jeudy WR | CLE
Browns' Jerry Jeudy: Cleared to make Browns debut Week 1
Jeudy (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Jeudy dealt with a knee injury during training camp, and it was enough to get his name mentioned on the injury report, though he was a full participant in all three of Cleveland's practices and likely won't have any limitations come Sunday. The 2020 first-round draft pick of the Broncos will be making his Browns debut after an up-and-down four-year stint in Denver that included a 2022 season in which Jeudy produced 972 yards and six touchdowns.