NFL Player News

Penix (knee) will be out for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh but is targeting Week 2 or 3 for his 2026 debut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Atlanta will be down to its No. 3 quarterback for Week 1, as Cooper Rush -- despite dealing with back spasms -- will pick up the start against the Steelers while Penix and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) sit out. Penix didn't play in the preseason while completing his recovery from the torn ACL he sustained last November, but he took part in six 11-on-11 practices during training camp and was then a full participant in practices throughout Week 1 prep. If he remains free of setbacks while logging a full slate of practices during Week 2 prep, Penix could be the Falcons' choice to start in their next game Sept. 20 against the Panthers, regardless of whether Tagovailoa is available.

Rush reported improvement after experiencing back spasms Saturday and remains on track to start the Falcons' season opener Sunday versus the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Falcons didn't express much concern that the back issue would prevent Rush from playing Week 1, as he was never added to the injury report. Assuming Rush avoids any setbacks leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll direct the Atlanta offense with Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix (knee) having been ruled out for Week 1.

Smith (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Unless he experiences a setback leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Smith looks set to play through the shoulder issue that kept him from practicing Thursday and limited his participation Wednesday. With Jalon Walker (knee) out for the season and James Pearce suspended for the first eight games of the campaign, the Falcons will be counting on the 34-year-old Smith to serve as a key pass rusher.

Woods (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Panthers, is viewed as a game-time decision, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Bears have optimism that Woods will be able to play through his groin injury Sunday, but official word on his status won't arrive until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Woods isn't able to suit up, it would be another hit to an already depleted Chicago secondary that is without Coby Bryant (knee) and Kyler Gordon (calf).

Porter (back) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons but isn't expected to play, Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.

Porter spent the entirety of training camp and the preseason on the PUP list before being added to the 53-man roster Aug. 30. Though the cornerback was able to take a questionable tag into the weekend after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday through Friday, his 2026 debut looks as though it may have to wait until Week 2. In addition to working his way back from the back injury, Porter's standing with the Steelers is on shaky ground after the two sides were embroiled in a contract dispute for much of the summer. With Porter and Steelers unable to come to terms on an extension, Rapoport and Schefter relay that the 26-year-old could be a trade candidate.

Kamara (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Detroit, isn't in line to play in the season opener and is instead slated to make his 2026 debut Week 2 at Baltimore, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara departed a joint practice with the Cowboys on Aug. 18 early and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain that was expected to sideline him for one month. While he followed up back-to-back limited sessions to begin Week 1 prep with a full practice Friday, the Saints will exercise caution with the 10th-year pro and allow him another week to get healthier. In Kamara's anticipated absence Sunday, New Orleans will roll with Travis Etienne as its lead runner, with Kendre Miller and practice-squad call-up CJ Donaldson the other candidates for backfield reps.

Odunze (calf), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Odunze made an early exit from practice Sept. 3 due to a right leg injury that was confirmed as a calf issue upon the Bears posting their first Week 1 practice report Wednesday. He proceeded to log three consecutive limited sessions, and Rapoport's report implies Odunze won't be among the team's inactives for the regular-season opener. Chicago will post such a list approximately 90 minutes before a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, and if he's active, Odunze will join Luther Burden as the top wide receivers available to quarterback Caleb Williams.

Love (ankle) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's game at the Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Love initially suffered a high-ankle sprain during preseason Week 1, and after practicing in a limited fashion from Wednesday through Friday, he entered the weekend as questionable to suit up. Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reported Friday that Love was trending toward making his debut Sunday, and Rapoport's report indicates that the rookie third overall pick indeed will avoid the Cardinals' list of Week 1 inactives. Such a decision will become known about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but considering his lack of activity over the last month, Love may well be eased into his first NFL action while working in tandem with fellow running back Tyler Allgeier.

Washington is unlikely to agree to a contract extension with Jacksonville before the start of the season, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

With no extension imminent, Washington appears set to play out the current season without a new deal in place. The Jaguars wide receiver is coming off a career year, and Wolfe's report indicates talks explored a contract in Michael Wilson's range (three years, $75M) before stalling for now. Washington is in the final season of his four-year rookie contract, and it's still possible an extension gets worked out after Week 1.

Jackson and the Ravens aren't expected to agree on a contract extension before 2027, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jackson's current contract runs through the end of 2027, but there was always a possibility he and Baltimore would negotiate an extension this summer. Instead, the star quarterback is likely to play out the 2026 campaign under his current deal, with extension talks likely to resurface following the season. Jackson has spent all eight years of his career to this point with the Ravens, earning three first-team All-Pro selections -- but no Super Bowl appearances.