NFL Player News

Coach Vic Fangio relayed that Sutton has taken a step forward in recent weeks regarding the rehab of the torn ACL he suffered early in the 2020 season, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Sutton's first game action in nearly a year came against the Rams in Denver's preseason finale. In that game, the wideout totaled 27 yards and a touchdown while also proving himself as a favorite target of Teddy Bridgewater. In describing the time since that contest, Fangio said, "I think the last two weeks, he's really turned the corner and he's looking more like himself." If Sutton is at full strength and not showing hesitation following his injury, the fourth-year wide receiver likely will be one of the favorites to lead the team in targets this season along with Jerry Jeudy. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Sutton has both the size and speed that make him very tough for opposing defenders to cover. Sutton may have convinced the coaching staff that he's ready to start the season strong, and he'll look to prove that on the field when the Broncos visit the Giants in Week 1.

Erickson will be called up from the Panthers' practice squad for Sunday's game against the Jets, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The Panthers elected to keep only five wideouts on their initial 53-man roster, so Erickson will get the promotion with Shi Smith (shoulder) not ready for the opener. Coach Matt Rhule said that Erickson will return punts during Sunday's contest against the Jets.

Smith (shoulder) won't play Sunday against the Jets, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Smith's regular-season debut will be put on hold as the 2021 sixth-round pick nurses a shoulder injury. His next chance to take the field will come in Week 2 against the Saints.

Beckham (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs after logging a limited practice Friday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Beckham's Week 1 status thus will be confirmed upon the release of the Browns' inactives in advance of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Meanwhile, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal notes that coach Kevin Stefanski relayed Friday that Beckham has hit the necessary benchmarks in his comeback from an ACL tear and indicated that the wideout's "questionable" listing for Sunday isn't indicative of a setback.

Coach Ron Rivera relayed Friday that the team plans to place Samuel (groin) on injured reserve, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Jhabvala adds that Samuel's looming stint on IR is not expected to be lengthy, with the wideout potentially returning to the mix after missing just three games to start the coming season. In Samuel's absence, added snaps will be available for Adam Humphries, Dyami Brown and Cam Sims behind No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.

Moore is expected to play a prominent role in Sunday's game against the Panthers, as fellow wide receiver Jamison Crowder won't come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to suit up, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Moore played predominantly in the slot in college, and he's set to work as New York's top option there in his NFL debut with Crowder sitting out. The rookie second-round pick out of Ole Miss is capable of shifting to the outside, where he also could see more action than anticipated if Keelan Cole (knee) -- who is a game-time decision -- joins Crowder on the sidelines.

Cole (knee) is a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

With Jamison Crowder still on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Cole potentially unavailable, the Jets' receiving depth will be tested right out of the gate. The biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time should be highly touted rookie Elijah Moore, though second-year pro Denzel Mims and backup slot receiver Braxton Berrios also could take on larger roles behind No. 1 receiver Corey Davis. Cole's availability likely won't be determined until shortly before kickoff Sunday.

Crowder, who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, won't be available for Sunday's season opener against the Panthers, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

With fellow wide receiver Keelan Cole (knee) viewed as a game-time decision for the contest, Corey Davis and rookie Elijah Moore could end up being busy Week 1. Crowder now will set his sights on being cleared to play in time for the Jets' Week 2 tilt against the Patriots.

Evans secured three of six targets for 24 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.

On a night when the trio of Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski combined for 22 receptions, 316 yards and four touchdowns, Evans was notably the odd man out of the fun. The Pro Bowl wideout had a late drop and otherwise wasn't looked to as often as his trio of teammates, but that's hardly reason for fretting on the part of fantasy managers. Evans displayed excellent chemistry with Tom Brady during their first season together in 2020 to the tune of a 70-1,006-13 line, and the quarterback will undoubtedly spread the wealth among his ultra-talented group of pass catchers as the season unfolds. Evans will have a good chance to bounce back when he faces the questionable Falcons secondary in a Week 2 home divisional matchup on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Godwin brought in nine of 14 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night. He also lost a fumble.

The talented fifth-year pro's fumble inside the five-yard line with 5:04 remaining not only cost Godwin and the Buccaneers a touchdown, but for a moment, it also appeared capable of leading to what would have been a relatively shocking season-opening home loss. The Cowboys took the ball and marched 60 yards in 11 plays following Godwin's miscue to kick a go-ahead field goal before Tampa Bay's own 11-play drive, which featured a key 24-yard reception by the wideout, positioned the Bucs for a successful game-winning field-goal try of their own. Godwin also scored the first points of the NFL season when he recorded a five-yard scoring grab in the first quarter, and he appears to already be in midseason form save for his one error. The Penn State product will look to build on Thursday's numbers in a Week 2 home matchup against the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 19.