NFL Player News

Shakir is inactive for Thursday night's season opener against the Rams.

The rookie fifth-rounder thus will wait to make his NFL regular season debut. To start the season, the Bills' wideout corps will be comprised of Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Jamison Crowder and Jake Kumerow.

Peoples-Jones will back up Demetric Felton on punt returns, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Peoples-Jones returned 12 punts for 95 yards in 2021, second on the Browns behind Felton. The third-year pro from Michigan has been handed the keys to the No. 2 wideout job, so head coach Kevin Stefanski hopes Felton is up to the task and not expose Peoples-Jones on special teams. Offseason speculation about Cleveland adding a No. 2 from outside the organization was not in short supply; however, the Browns stuck with 23-year-old, as the Deshaun Watson (suspended) situation shifted the team's priority to its well-stocked ground game. Peoples-Jones should get several weeks to establish himself as a viable second target and take pressure off Amari Cooper.

Lazard (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

With back-to-back missed sessions to start Week 1 prep, Lazard now could be in danger of missing the Packers' season opener at Minnesota. He picked up the ankle concern in practice last week when his foot was stepped on. Friday's injury report could give him a chance to play this weekend if he's listed as questionable, but if Lazard is limited or sidelined Sunday, Green Bay will turn to the likes of Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs at wide receiver.

Moore injured his hamstring in Thursday's practice and is set to undergo an MRI, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

The extent of the issue is unknown after Moore missed time in the preseason with an undisclosed injury, but the second-year wide receiver will be evaluated further to get a sense of his availability for Week 1 against the Chiefs. The Cardinals already will be without DeAndre Hopkins due to his six-game suspension and Antoine Wesley (hip, IR) on Sunday, so the team's current healthy options at the position are Marquise Brown, A.J. Green, Andy Isabella and Greg Dortch

Gallup (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

According to Watkins, Gallup was working in full pads Thursday, marking back-to-back appearances on the field after coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that the fifth-year wide receiver wouldn't practice or play Week 1 against the Buccaneers. The decision to rule out Gallup ahead of the season opener isn't a surprise considering he tore the ACL in his left knee Jan. 2, but his ability to mix into drills this week generally is an encouraging sign that he'll return to action early on this season.

Jefferson (knee), who is listed as out for Thursday's season opener with the Bills, could also be in line to miss the Rams' Week 2 matchup with the Falcons, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

Though Jefferson will benefit from a lengthier turnaround for Week 2 with the Rams not facing off against Atlanta until Sept. 18, the wideout may not be fully recovered by that time from the two offseason procedures he required on his left knee. Jefferson had his first procedure shortly after the Rams' Super Bowl win in February, only to require what he termed as another "minor" surgery in early August when he suffered an apparent aggravation of the knee early in training camp. The 26-year-old is said to be progressing, but he hasn't practiced in any capacity since having the second procedure and will likely need to get in at least one or two full workouts next week to have a realistic shot at suiting up against the Falcons. As for the Week 1 matchup, Ben Skowronek is expected to get the first crack at replacing Jefferson as the Rams' No. 3 wideout behind Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson.

Gage (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

An offseason signing by Tampa Bay, Gage initially picked up his hamstring issue during a joint practice with the Dolphins on Aug. 10. He subsequently missed the entire preseason slate but was able to get back on the practice field last week. As the Bucs prepare for a Week 1 game at Dallas, Gage's activity level has become known, revealing that he isn't 100 percent healthy. Still, he has one more session this week in which to potentially log every rep. If he's able to suit up Sunday night, Gage could benefit with the status of Chris Godwin (knee), who didn't practice Thursday, uncertain this weekend.

Thomas (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Thomas got some work in during the media-access portion of Thursday's session, but he has yet to handle an entire practice as he works his way back from the hamstring injury he's been dealing with since at least Aug. 21. Thomas has one more chance to be a full participant Friday, at which point the Saints will provide a sense of his ability to suit up Sunday in Atlanta.

Johnson (shoulder) remained a limited participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

The Steelers' practice report also indicates that Johnson battled cramps Thursday, but his lingering shoulder injury -- which also limited his activity Wednesday -- is the prevailing concern as Sunday's season opener in Cincinnati approaches. For what it's worth, fellow wideout Chase Claypool told Pryor before Thursday's session that he expects Johnson to play Week 1. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Matt Canada noted that he's also counting on Johnson being ready to go Sunday, though the Steelers will have a plan in place if the newly extended wideout is inactive for the contest or happens to be limited, per Alan Saunders of PittsburghSportsNow.com. One way or the other, the Steelers should have a better idea regarding Johnson's availability for the opener based on what he's able to do in the team's final practice of the week Friday.

Montgomery (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Unless he manages to log a full practice Friday, Montgomery will head into the weekend with a degree of uncertainty regarding his status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. If Montgomery is out or limited Week 1, rookie Pierre Strong would be a candidate to see added touches behind fellow backs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.