NFL Player News

Jones (undisclosed) practiced Monday as the Bears prepare for their Week 1 game against the 49ers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Jones played in the Bears' second preseason game before sitting out the exhibition finale. If he makes it through the week of practice without a setback, the team's third-round draft choice in this year's draft is expected to be one of the top-three wide receivers for Chicago as they start the season.

Higgins (shoulder) returned to practice Monday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Higgins has been managing a shoulder issue ahead of Week 1, so his presence on the field Monday bodes well for his availability for Sunday's season opener against the Steelers. Added clarity on that front should arrive by Wednesday once the Bengals post their official injury report following practice.

London (knee) was spotted at Monday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

While that's a good sign that the rookie wideout is progressing, how the Falcons list London's participation level on their initial Week 1 injury report should shed added light on his chances of being ready for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Saints.

Coach Arthur Smith said Monday that London (knee) is "progressing," D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

London has been held out of practice since Aug. 12 due to a right knee injury sustained in his first preseason appearance, but it appears that he still has a chance to suit up Week 1. Smith said, "We'll see what he looks like," when asked whether the rookie first-rounder will be available Sunday versus the Saints. Atlanta's first set of injury reports this season will shed more light on London's status.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Gallup (knee) won't suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Buccaneers or practice leading up to the contest, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McCarthy said Gallup has "hit every target to date" in his recovery and "looks really good," but the wideout nonetheless won't suit up Week 1 as he continues to work his way back from a left ACL tear suffered early January. The fact that Gallup hasn't been placed on IR seems to be an indication that he has a fair chance to retake the field within the first four games of the 2022 campaign, but his expected return date remains undisclosed. Until Gallup is back in action, Jalen Tolbert and Noah Brown (toe) will be asked to handle key roles behind top receiver CeeDee Lamb (foot).

Godwin (knee) was spotted at Monday's practice without a brace on his right leg, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Godwin's health continues to progress in the right direction as Sunday's regular-season opener against the Cowboys draws nearer, and to see him practice without a brace on his surgically repaired right knee is notable. It looks like a real possibility that Godwin could be available Week 1, though if he does suit up, a reduced snap count could be on the table. The Buccaneers' first set of injury reports of the 2022 campaign will shed more light on Godwin's status.

Conley was signed to the Texans' practice squad Monday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Conley was released by the team Friday, but he will now replace Marlon Mack on the practice squad after Mack was released Monday. Conley played in 16 games with the Texans in 2021, catching 22 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns.

McKenzie (undisclosed) said Sunday that he'll play in Thursday's Week 1 matchup against the Rams, Thad Brown of WROC-TV reports.

McKenzie has been "nicked up," per head coach Sean McDermott, but he returned to practice Sunday and appears in line to play Thursday. The sixth-year wideout is expected to be the team's top kick returner and slot receiver, though Jamison Crowder is also likely to garner some snaps in the slot as well.

The Jaguars signed Moore to their practice squad Sunday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Moore was waived by the Giants ahead of the initial 53-man roster deadline but re-signed with the team via a practice-squad deal. However, he was cut from New York's practice squad just one day later. He's found a new home in Jacksonville but is still looking to make his NFL debut.

McKenzie (undisclosed) will return to practice Sunday, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

Coach Sean McDermott says his slot receiver has been "nicked up," so while he's not out of the woods yet, this bodes well for his chances of playing in Thursday's season-opening game against the Rams. When healthy, McKenzie is expected to be the team's top slot receiver, though Jamison Crowder is also likely to have some role in the offense.