NFL Player News

Kupp is locked into a starring role in the Rams offense with Sunday's season opener against the Bears imminent, J.B. Long of the team's official site reports.

Kupp has had months to develop a rapport with new quarterback Matthew Stafford since his trade to L.A. on Jan. 30, but the context around the Rams' skill positions has changed since the offseason program. First and foremost, running back Cam Akers tore his Achilles while getting ready for training camp, taking away a key cog of the offense. Darrell Henderson remains the top option out of the backfield, with trade acquisition Sony Michel backing him up. Meanwhile, in the receiving corps, WR Robert Woods and TE Tyler Higbee are entrenched in the starting lineup, with 2020 second-round pick Van Jefferson, veteran DeSean Jackson and 2021 second-rounder Tutu Atwell rounding out the group of wideouts. Kupp nonetheless is in store for his usual high-volume role (8.3 targets per game the past two seasons) with an upgrade under center and a less explosive running game.

Callaway enters Week 1 against Green Bay as the Saints' likely No. 1 receiver, while Michael Thomas (ankle) is out for at least five games and Tre'Quan Smith (hamstring) for at least three, Amie Just of The Times-Picayune reports.

Thomas is on the PUP list, and Smith is on injured reserve. Callaway barely made the team as an undrafted rookie last season, but he now finds himself as the likely go-to receiver for Jameis Winston, who otherwise has Alvin Kamara and a couple of young, unproven tight ends. Callaway caught eight of nine targets for 165 yards in two preseason games, including a pair of TDs from Winston. The Saints' depth chart behind Callaway doesn't offer much, with Deonte Harris, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Chris Hogan and Ty Montgomery all candidates to handle various roles.

Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Friday that Gallup (calf) won't play Week 2 at the Chargers, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Gallup suffered a left calf strain Thursday in Tampa Bay. Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reported Friday that Gallup will be out 3-to-5 weeks, implying he won't be available until October, at the earliest. That said, McCarthy merely called Gallup's injury a "multi-week" concern, so the Cowboys may keep him off injured reserve with the hope he's on the front end of the above timetable to return. While Gallup is sidelined, Cedrick Wilson will occupy the No. 3 wide receiver role behind Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.

McKenzie (shoulder) was listed as a full participant for the third straight day Friday and does not have an injury designation for Sunday's opener against the Steelers.

McKenzie's status was never really in doubt, and he appears primed to serve as the team's main return man against Pittsburgh. His ability to take the field may prove more important if starting wideout Emmanuel Sanders (foot) is limited or unable to suit up.

Agholor (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins after returning to a limited practice Friday.

Agholor didn't practice Thursday, so his return to the field Friday bodes well for his chances of suiting up for Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If, however, the offseason acquisition is limited or out this weekend, added looks would be available for fellow WRs Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne.

Smith (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Friday afternoon, Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune reports.

Smith has barely practiced since the first week of August and now can be ruled out for the first three games of the season. His earliest possible date for a 2021 debut is Week 4 against the Giants, while fellow Saints wideout Michael Thomas (PUP - ankle) can come back Week 7 at Seattle. It looks like Marquez Callaway will be Jameis Winston's favorite wideout in the meantime, with Deonte Harris, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Chris Hogan and Ty Montgomery providing support.

Reynolds (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Reynolds was limited again Friday after doing the same thing at Thursday's practice. Tennessee is unlikely to get many contributions from wide receivers other than A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, but Reynolds still would benefit from establishing himself as the next man up should one of the two starters suffer an injury.

Slayton will serve as the Giants' No. 3 wide receiver Sunday versus the Broncos with Kenny Golladay (hamstring) cleared to play.

Most of the Giants' receiving corps tended to injuries during Week 1 prep, including WRs Golladay and Kadarius Toney (hamstring) and TEs Evan Engram (calf), Kyle Rudolph (foot) and Kaden Smith (knee). However, all of them but Engram will be available Sunday, ensuring Slayton will be in his customary third receiver role. Through two pro campaigns, Slayton has averaged six targets per game, which has resulted in 98 catches, 1,491 yards and 11 touchdowns in 30 appearances.

Samuel (groin) was placed on injured reserve Friday.

The team hopes to have Samuel back when first eligible Week 4, but skepticism is a reasonable response after his delayed return from what was initially said to be a minor groin injury in early June. In any case, Washington will now look to Adam Humphries, Dyami Brown and Cam Sims behind No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.

Toney (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants capped Toney's practice reps all week as the rookie worked his way back from a hamstring issue that didn't allow him to suit up during the preseason. But the maintenance has done the trick, and he'll be out there Week 1 versus a tough Denver secondary. With Kenny Golladay (hamstring) also cleared to play, the team will have its top four wide receivers (also, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton) available for quarterback Daniel Jones on Sunday.