NFL Player News

Hopkins sat out Thursday's practice with a minor unspecified issue, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

With coach Kliff Kingsbury indicating that the star wideout will be back on the field soon, we'll view Hopkins as day-to-day. Heading into the coming season, Hopkins heads an Arizona WR corps that also includes A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore and KeeSean Johnson.

Patrick (hamstring) has been participating in training camp practices, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

A minor hamstring issue cropped up for Patrick during OTAs, but he's back out there, competing for slotting in a Denver wideout corps that welcomes back top option Courtland Sutton (knee). With Sutton and Jerry Jeudy atop the team's depth chart, Patrick figures to compete this summer with KJ Hamler for Denver's No. 3 WR spot.

Saints GM Micky Loomis says the team supported Thomas' plan to treat his ankle injury with rest rather than surgery at the beginning of the offseason, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Player and team seem to have been in agreement on a decision that ended up backfiring. Thomas apparently didn't look healthy at June minicamp, and it was decided afterward that he'd finally get surgery on the ankle that's been bothering him since Week 1 of last season. Given the timing of his ankle surgery -- which reportedly comes with a recovery estimate of four months -- Thomas likely will be out through September and perhaps into October or even November. The Saints should have open competition for roles at wide receiver, with Tre'Quan Smith the only clear starter from a group that includes Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway, Juwan Johnson, Kawaan Baker and now Chris Hogan.

Ridley (foot) is going through individual drills at the beginning of Thursday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.comreports.

Ridley is back on the field for the start of training camp after a minor foot surgery prevented him from participating in June minicamp. Even if the Falcons ease him into team drills, he'll have plenty of time to ramp up for Week 1 against the Eagles (Sept. 12). With Julio Jones out of the picture, Ridley is among the favorites to lead the NFL in targets this year, though new coach Arthur Smith presumably hopes to install a more balanced offense in Atlanta.

Brown left Thursday's practice early with what appeared to be a minor leg injury, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Brown initially stayed on the field and stretched his leg with a trainer before eventually leaving practice. He's been catching passes from Trace McSorley and Tyler Huntley in practice, as Lamar Jackson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. It's been a less-than-ideal first week of training camp for the Ravens.

Harris was arrested July 16 for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Underhill mentioned that a DUI arrest often leads to a two-game suspension, though not until the legal process has played out. Harris should be available Week 1 for a Saints team that will be missing Michael Thomas (ankle), but it is possible the 5-foot-6 wide receiver is suspended later in the season or next year.

Beasley, who has been vocal about his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations and the league's protocols, was present at the team's first training camp practice Wednesday and shared some statements to explain his thoughts with both the press and teammates, Maddy Glab if the Bills' official site reports.

Some had speculated that Beasley was so frustrated by the league's handling of virus protocols that he might be willing to sit out the season, but that won't be the case. He's also cleared the air with some of his teammates who may not share the same views. While Beasley could make some comments defending fellow players that choose not to get vaccinated this season, he appears set to go full steam ahead with the 2021 season as the Bills try to improve off last season's AFC Championship Game appearance.

Harris suffered a core-muscle injury a few weeks ago and underwent a minor procedure to address the injury, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

The rookie fourth-round pick is expected to make a full recovery within the next few weeks and isn't starting camp on the PUP list. Harris' availability for the first preseason game Aug. 14 versus the Chargers is up in the air, but he has a better chance of playing in the subsequent exhibitions.

Head coach Pete Carroll said Eskridge is tending to a nagging toe injury, but he's resumed running as the Seahawks attempt to get him healthy, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

A 2021 second-round pick, Eskridge dealt with the same issue during mandatory minicamp back in June, so it's a bit concerning that it lingers more than a month and a half later. Currently residing on the PUP list, he'll enter the sweepstakes for the No. 3 wide receiver role in Seattle once he's able to join his teammates at practice. Eskridge's primary competition in camp and the preseason will be incumbent Freddie Swain.

The Texans agreed Wednesday to trade Cobb to the Packers for a 2022 sixth-round draft pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The report notes that Houston is expected to pay $3 million of Cobb's salary in order to facilitate the trade, which should become official within a few days. Cobb, who turns 31 next month, is coming off a 2020 season in which he caught 38 passes on 48 targets for 441 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games with the Texans. While those numbers aren't eye-popping, Cobb now looks like a bounce-back candidate in 2021, considering that he'll once again be catching passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cobb spent the first eight seasons of his career in Green Bay with Rodgers before one-year stops in Dallas and Houston.