NFL Player News

The Panthers signed Butler to the practice squad Friday, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Butler spent his entire rookie season with the Cardinals on injured reserve after the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he wasn't able to make Arizona's final roster this season. It was somewhat surprising to see the Cardinals pass on signing Butler to the practice squad, but he'll now get another chance to show his worth at the NFL level in Carolina. The former Iowa State standout is a raw prospect, but he did put together an impressive final collegiate season in 2018 (60/1,318/9), and his rare combination of size and athleticism hints at developmental upside.

Berrios will work as the Jets' primary slot receiver Week 2 with Jamison Crowder (hamstring) sidelined, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Crowder was officially ruled out for Week 2 by coach Adam Gase on Friday, and he named Berrios as the replacement in the slot. Berrios rarely saw the field with the Jets last season, catching six passes for 115 yards and zero touchdowns in 16 games, but he should be in line for heavy playing time with Breshad Perriman and Chris Hogan representing the only other healthy wideouts on the roster. Despite the expected increased field time, Berrios isn't guaranteed to be a significant factor in the passing game.

Crowder (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Crowder had a big Week 1, seeing 13 passes in his direction and tallying seven receptions, 115 yards and a score, but he will not be available for either the Jets or fantasy players Week 2 after aggravating his leg injury. Per Eric Allen of the Jets' official site, Braxton Berrios will work as the team's slot receiver in Crowder's place; and per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, head coach Adam Gase is hopeful this will not be a long-term issue for Crowder.

Parker (hamstring) took part in Friday's practice, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Parker aggravated his hamstring injury Week 1, but he was able to take part in each of the Dolphins' three practice sessions this week, which bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Bills. Parker's official status for Week 2 will be revealed after Friday's practice comes to a close.

Godwin (concussion) was present at practice Friday with a helmet, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old sat out the first two practices of the week while in the concussion protocol, but he appears to have made some progress Friday. Godwin still may not have fully cleared the protocol, but the fact he's practicing in some capacity is good news and opens the window for him suiting up Week 2. More information will be available when Tampa Bay releases its official injury report later in the day.

Sutton (shoulder) is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday against the Steelers, coach Vic Fangio said Friday on KOA NewsRadio.

The wideout was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, and it appears he'll finish the week working in a similar capacity. Sutton sat out the season opener after suffering an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder last week, but he may be able to return for Week 2. The 24-year-old is likely to be considered questionable when Friday's official injury report is posted later in the day.

Thomas (ankle) "felt fantastic" Thursday and there remains a "little glimmer of hope" he can play Monday at Las Vegas, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 27-year-old was expected to miss several weeks after testing earlier this week showed his high-ankle sprain was worse than expected, but he's apparently made significant progress over the past couple days. Thomas didn't participate at Thursday's practice despite the improvement, but he has two more days to return to the field in some capacity. He still seems unlikely to be available for Week 2, but his outlook for the near future appears better than previously believed.

Boyd brought in seven of eight targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 35-30 loss to the Browns on Thursday.

The veteran receiver was within inches of a two-touchdown night, but he couldn't corral a late third-quarter catchable throw from Joe Burrow in the end zone. However, Boyd atoned for the error with time winding down, notching a nine-yard scoring grab with 48 seconds remaining that brought the Bengals to within 35-30 and gave them a brief glimmer of hope. Boyd led the Cincinnati pass-catching corps in receptions and receiving yards Thursday, and for what it's worth, displayed a lot more efficiency with Burrow than top wideout A.J. Green, who could only bring in three of the 13 passes thrown his way. Boyd has 13 targets through the first two games despite Green's return to action, and he'll look to build on Thursday's effort in a Week 3 road matchup against the Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Beckham brought in four of six targets for 74 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 35-30 win over the Bengals on Thursday.

Beckham led the Browns in receptions, receiving yardage and targets on his way to an appreciably better performance than his Week 1 dud, where he mustered just a 30.0 percent catch rate on 10 targets. The highlight of the former Pro Bowler's night came on a 43-yard touchdown grab that initially bounced off Beckham's facemask before landing in his hands for the score. While the final line wasn't spectacular by the veteran's past standards, it's certainly one that offers fantasy managers some optimism ahead of a Week 3 home matchup for the Browns against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that the Rams expect to sign Woods to a contract extension "very shortly," Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

McVay said that the Rams are working towards "something similar" to the three-year, $48 million contract Cooper Kupp received earlier this month for Woods. In a Thursday video conference with reporters, Woods himself said that he hopes to have an agreement finalized before suiting up against Eagles on Sunday. The 28-year-old, who compiled six catches for 105 receiving yards in Los Angeles' season opener, is currently under contract through 2021 and set to earn a $9 million base salary next year.