NFL Player News

Noel could see an expanded opportunity Sunday against the Rams, as both Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are dealing with hamstring injuries, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Noel could work in the slot if Kirk sits out, while fellow Iowa State rookie Jayden Higgins starts on the outside opposite Nico Collins. If Berrios doesn't play, Noel could also add punt return responsibilities to his ledger. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Kirk is expected to miss 1-2 weeks as a result of his hamstring injury.

Wicks (calf) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Wicks is one of three Packers wide receivers to operate with a cap on his reps Thursday, the others being Jayden Reed (foot) and Savion Williams (hamstring). Reed actually returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday as he tends to a Jones fracture in his left foot, which has left his status up in the air for Week 1. In the end, Friday's injury report will provide a sense of each players' odds to suit up Sunday against the Lions, though an absent Reed and/or Williams could hand Wicks a higher target share than expected to begin the campaign.

Hill (oblique) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has stated that he expects Hill to suit up Week 1, but the veteran wideout will only have one more chance to upgrade to full participation ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Colts. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday he and Hill are "good" entering Week 1, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, downplaying offseason concerns about their relationship by saying "people might've blown it out of proportion." If there was once any tension between the two after Hill pulled himself out of the 2024 regular-season finale early, Tagovailoa said "we've worked on it, and I think that conversation is dead now."

Kirk is dealing with a strained hamstring that is expected to sideline him for at least Sunday's season opener versus the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Official confirmation of Kirk's status will arrive when the Texans post their injury report Friday, but Schefter suggests that the wideout could miss time beyond this weekend, with one source estimating that his hamstring strain could be a two-week injury. In such a scenario, rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel as well as Xavier Hutchinson would be in line for added opportunities behind top target Nico Collins.

Brown (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Brown has been limited in both of the Commanders' first two Week 1 sessions, so he may need to upgrade to full participation Friday to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Giants. The 29-year-old projects to open the season as the Commanders' No. 3 wideout behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, a role that may not translate to consistent target volume on a weekly basis.

Flournoy was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's game against the Eagles.

If Flournoy suits up for Thursday's season opener, he could contribute on special teams and provide depth at wide receiver. Flournoy had just 10 catches for 102 yards in 11 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024.

Godwin (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Godwin has begun the 2025 campaign with back-to-back DNPs, seemingly implying that he's trending toward an absence Sunday in Atlanta. He's in the later stages of his recovery from the dislocated left ankle that he suffered Week 7 of last season, but by avoiding the reserve/PUP list last week, he's been given a chance to be available at some point in the first month of the season. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not the Buccaneers rule him out for Week 1 action, but rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka is poised to be top WR Mike Evans' running mate for as long as Godwin is sidelined.

Mooney (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After having his reps capped for the second practice in a row to kick off Week 1 prep, Mooney told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com that he would likely be a "game-time decision" for Sunday's tilt with the Buccaneers. Unless he can upgrade to full participation in Friday's session, Mooney appears set to take a questionable tag into the weekend, and official word on his status may not arrive until the Falcons release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Atlanta elects to hold Mooney out for the season opener, more reps at receiver would be available for the likes of Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge.

Reed (foot) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Reed got back on the practice field after sitting out Wednesday's session, which may be his maintenance plan for the foreseeable future due to the Jones fracture in his left foot that he's been dealing with for roughly a month. Coach Matt LaFleur told Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com that the Packers "absolutely" will give Reed a chance to make himself available Sunday against the Lions, but at this point he seems destined to head into the weekend with a questionable designation for that contest.

TeSlaa (illness) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

After the Lions gauged him as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, TeSlaa returned to the field Thursday, though it didn't translate to an upgrade in terms of how the team listed the extent of his activity. In any case, the rookie wideout is expected to be ready to make his NFL debut Sunday in Green Bay, though he'll probably need to upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice to avoid carrying a designation into the weekend.