NFL Player News

Taylor (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Taylor is already ruled out for Sunday's regular-season opener at Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old wideout underwent foot surgery over three weeks ago and has shed his walking boot, but a return shouldn't be considered forthcoming until he starts practicing on at least a limited basis. Rookie receiver Deebo Samuel should benefit from increased opportunities as long as Taylor remains sidelined.

Pettis (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Pettis' groin injury doesn't appear to be a long-term concern, but he's not quite in the clear yet for the 49ers' Week 1 game at Tampa Bay. The wideout dealt with criticism from coach Kyle Shanahan through training camp and the preseason, but the expectation remains that he'll open the season with the starting unit if his health cooperates.

Coach Pete Carroll said Metcalf (knee) will practice Wednesday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

After Carroll relayed that Metcalf "looked great" during Monday's session, the rookie's participation Wednesday isn't a surprise. More news regarding Metcalf's outlook for Sunday's season opener against the Bengals will come later Wednesday, when the Seahawks reveal the extent of the wideout's involvement in their first official practice of the week. If he progresses to active status Week 1, Metcalf likely would be in store for a limited snap count.

Slayton (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Cowboys, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Slayton sat out of Wednesday's practice, and he's already been deemed out. The rookie fifth-round pick has been dealing with this hamstring injury since July and he tweaked it a week ago, so it's understandable that the Giants are proceeding with caution. This hurts the team's depth, and recent waiver-wire claim Cody Core will work as the No. 5 wideout now.

Beckham (hip) didn't appear Wednesday on the Browns' first regular-season injury report, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The listing backs up coach Freddie Kitchens' earlier claim that the wideout, who had previously been managing a hip issue, will be "ready to go" for Sunday's game against the Titans. Beckham didn't see any action in the preseason due to the injury, but he's not expected to have his snaps limited as a result in his Cleveland debut.

Diggs wasn't in uniform during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Vikings won't reveal the reason for Diggs' lack of work until they release their first injury report of the season later Wednesday. Through four years as a professional, he's missed at least one game in each campaign, so his status will be one to watch as Week 1 preparations roll along.

Coach Doug Pederson confirmed Wednesday that Arcega-Whiteside has earned an early season role in the Eagles' offense, Daniel Gallen of The Harrisburg Patriot-News reports.

Arcega-Whiteside heads into the regular season as the youngest member of a crowded receiver room housing Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson (finger) and Nelson Agholor. The veterans currently command the top three spots on the depth chart, but Pederson's comments suggest Arcega-Whiteside may see more prominent usage than a typical No. 4 wideout. The rookie second-round pick impressed in the preseason with 12 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown, and his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame and jump-ball skills could quickly make him Carson Wentz's favorite red-zone weapon.

Shepherd (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Bears, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After missing all three practices this week, Shepherd's NFL debut will be put on hold. The North Dakota State product had an impressive preseason -- he nabbed eight catches for 68 yards and two scores -- earning his spot on the 53-man roster as a result. Allen Lazard was called up from the practice squad to add depth to the Packers' receiving corps.

Isabella isn't included among the Cardinals' three starting receivers heading into Sunday's game against the Lions, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk appear locked in as Arizona's top two receivers, while veteran Michael Crabtree is included in the starting group on the team's first depth chart of the regular season. Even if Crabtree doesn't ultimately start, Isabella isn't believed to be the top candidate to fill the opening, as Trent Sherfield, KeeSean Johnson and Damiere Byrd are listed as the second-string options on the depth chart. At this stage, the Cardinals appear to view Isabella as more of a developmental project than a player being counted upon to make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Shepherd (hamstring) didn't practice Tuesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Shepherd earned his 53-man roster spot throughout the preseason, racking up eight catches (on 12 targets) for 68 yards and two touchdowns across four games. It helped that Equanimeous St. Brown (ankle) landed on IR, but Shepherd's own status for Week 1 at Chicago now is in question after he missed sessions both Monday and Tuesday. Shepherd may have to make an appearance at Wednesday's practice to have a shot to suit up Thursday.