NFL Player News

Mitchell could see additional targets Sunday against the Texans, as JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports that Josh Downs (ankle) has been ruled out.

Mitchell's likely to play primarily in the slot, but there will likely be more opportunities for both the rookie second-round draft pick and Alec Pierce alongside Michael Pittman in Downs' absence. Mitchell showed promising chemistry with quarterback Anthony Richardson as they connected for a touchdown in the preseason finale, and they will look to carry that success over into the regular season.

Coach Brian Callahan noted Friday that Hopkins (knee) is questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Bears, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Hopkins has been limited at practice this week as he bounces back from a knee injury, with Turron Davenport of ESPN.com relaying that Callahan indicated the process of making sure Hopkins gets his work in while also balancing his knee issue has been smooth. At this point, Davenport suggests that the biggest concern for the wideout -- who practiced without a protective sleeve on his leg Friday -- is related to his conditioning. Fortunately for those considering Hopkins in Week 1 lineups, the Titans kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. If he's limited or out this weekend, Treylon Burks would likely see added work versus Chicago alongside Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

Addison (ankle) is practicing Friday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Addison said Thursday that he'll play in Sunday's game against the Giants and anticipates being at "100 percent" strength. He was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, after suffering a high-ankle sprain Aug. 14 and missing more than two weeks of practice.

Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs (ankle) is out for Sunday's season opener against the Texans.

Downs was able to do some individual movement drills off to the side during Friday's practice, but he won't be ready for Week 1 action and thus will target a potential return Sunday, Sept. 15 against the Packers. In Downs' absence versus Houston, fellow WRs Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce should see added opportunities behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.

Washington (quadriceps) is not present at the portion of Friday's practice open to the media, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Washington was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday due to a quad injury, so if he's been downgraded to a non-participant Friday, it will bode poorly for his chances of suiting up Week 1. Friday's official practice report will provide Washington with an injury designation for Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Chase indicated Friday that a contract resolution may be in reach, while suggesting that he's a "game-time decision" for Sunday's season opener against the Patriots, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Look for added context to arrive as the day progresses, but Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer relays that Chase acknowledged that he'd probably be limited if he does play Sunday. For his part, when asked about the Week 1 status of both Chase and Tee Higgins (hamstring), coach Zac Taylor told Hobson, "We'll see."

Though Downs (ankle) wasn't participating in practice Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic notes that the wideout was doing individual movement drills off to the side.

If Downs officially goes down as a DNP for the third straight practice, his chances of suiting up Sunday versus Houston wouldn't seem promising. Either way, added context with regard to his Week 1 status will arrive no later that the release of the Colts' final injury report of the week.

Smith-Schuster failed to secure his only target during Thursday's 27-20 win over the Ravens.

Smith-Schuster's lone look from Patrick Mahomes would've been a 20-plus yard touchdown had the veteran wideout been able to complete the catch, and he didn't see another opportunity after that second-quarter target. His 12 offensive snaps ranked just above Skyy Moore (10 snaps) on the wide receiver depth chart. If Marquise Brown (shoulder) isn't ready to return Week 2 versus the Bengals, Smith-Schuster will get another opportunity to work as Kansas City's No. 4 wideout.

Watson secured his only target for 25 yards during Thursday's 27-20 win over the Ravens.

Watson played 52 percent of offensive snaps versus Baltimore in Week 1, working as the Chiefs' clear No. 3 receiver behind Rashee Rice (78 percent) and Xavier Worthy (63 percent). That involvement will dip once starter Marquise Brown (shoulder) returns from injury, but if he remains sidelined Week 2 versus Cincinnati, Watson will have another opportunity to capitalize on an increased snap share.

Higgins (hamstring) wasn't spotted during the initial stage of Friday's walkthrough, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Higgins was added to the Bengals' Week 1 injury report after being limited Thursday by a hamstring issue. Friday's official practice/injury report will provide further context with regard to his status, but either way this is a situation to monitor, especially given the uncertainty surrounding fellow WR Ja'Marr Chase ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots.