NFL Player News

Mims (groin) is not present at Thursday's practice, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Mims left Wednesday's practice early to be evaluated for a groin issue, though Broncos coach Sean Payton downplayed the injury's severity. The team appears to simply be taking a cautious approach to the No. 2 receiver's recovery until next week, when prep for the regular-season opener against Tennessee on Sunday, Sept. 7 fully kicks off, as Payton said Mims will be back on the field Monday, per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com.

Mooney (shoulder) returned to practice Thursday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

It's the second promising sign this week, after Mooney avoided an injury list on cutdown day, which suggests the Falcons expect him to play at some point in September. The return to practice Thursday seemingly even gives Mooney a shot to play Week 1 against Tampa Bay, with 10 days to ramp up after missing practice for a little over a month. The Falcons haven't done anything to upgrade their WR room in the meantime -- perhaps another hint at confidence in Mooney's September availability

Hill (oblique) returned to practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Thursday that Hill is expected to suit up Week 1 versus the Colts, and the veteran wideout is now back on the practice field for the first time in roughly three weeks. Per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald, McDaniel said "everything looks great" regarding Hill's return to practice, though the veteran wideout is only handling limited activity. Expect the Dolphins to ramp up Hill's on-field reps gradually as the regular-season opener on the road against Indianapolis on Sunday, Sept. 7 approaches.

The 49ers have signed Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad, not the 53-man roster, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Valdes-Scantling could still contribute for San Francisco as early as Week 1 versus the Seahawks, given the team will be without wideouts Brandon Aiyuk (knee/PUP), Demarcus Robinson (suspension) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring/IR), and Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jordan Watkins (ankle) both also appear uncertain. As a member of the practice squad, however, Valdes-Scantling will be eligible to be elevated for a maximum of three games before the 49ers are forced to decide whether to add him to the 53-man roster. Last season, Valdes-Scantling managed to step in and contribute for the Saints with minimal prep time after he was released by the Bills.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Thursday that Hill (oblique), who remained sidelined at practice Wednesday, is on track to suit up Week 1 on the road against Indianapolis, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Hill has scarcely taken the practice field since early August due to a lingering oblique injury, but Miami expects that he and fellow key starter De'Von Achane (calf) will be available for the regular-season opener. New tight end Darren Waller, who spent most of the preseason working on his conditioning, took part in team drills Wednesday, so quarterback Tua Tagovailoa seems on track to have his full assortment of pass-catchers available Week 1. That said, it may not be until next week's official practice reports are released that fantasy managers are provided clearer insight on whether or not Hill could be limited in any capacity to kick off the 2025 campaign.

Reed (foot) has a Jones fracture in his left foot but plans to play through the injury this season, Jason Wilde of CBS Madison reports.

Reed returned to practice Wednesday after resting for three weeks, acknowledging afterward that he wasn't 100 percent and was still "working through" the injury. It's an issue that often requires surgery and a multi-month timeline for rehab/recovery in such a scenario. He'll thus try to avoid surgery, or at least delay it until the offseason, but his fantasy value plunges with the added injury risk (and possibility of reduced performance or limited workloads). Reed intends to play Week 1, although Green Bay's medical staff has a reputation for being cautious with injured players. He's participating in Thursday's padded practice scrimmage, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

The Packers are one and a half-point favorites over the Lions at online sports betting sites. 

Olszewski was released by the Giants on Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

The wide receiver signed with New York in late July after spending most of 2024 on the club's injured reserve list. Olszewski recorded over 300 punt-return yards and over 400 kick-return yards in both the 2020 and '21 campaigns with New England, and his success as a returner was expected to give him a chance to compete for a role with the Giants, but it was not enough to earn him a spot. Now, the former Patriot, Steeler and Giant will have to look elsewhere for his next opportunity.

Smith signed with the Jets' practice squad Wednesday.

Smith has played just one game since entering the league in 2021. The 26-year-old receiver had a solid preseason with a team-high 10 receptions (13 targets) for 113 yards through three games. This will be his second straight year on the Jets' practice squad.

Skinner signed with the Jets' practice squad Wednesday.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound wide receiver was productive at Kansas but went undrafted. Skinner registered eight receptions for a team-high 114 yards and a touchdown during the preseason, but it wasn't enough to secure one of the Jets' five receiver spots.

The Falcons signed Nash to the practice squad Wednesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Nash put together a 12/136/0 stat line across three preseason games. He wasn't able to crack the Falcons' 53-man roster, but the undrafted rookie out of San Jose State will remain in the organization as part of the team's practice squad. Nash is a candidate to be elevated to the active roster should the Falcons require depth at wide receiver.