NFL Player News

Coach Ben Johnson said Burden (groin) will participate in Tuesday's practice, Zack Pearson of BearReport reports.

After suffering a groin injury during an Aug. 8 practice, Burden was expected to be sidelined for about one month, putting his availability for Week 1 in question. Since then, he missed the Bears' entire preseason slate but returned to individual drills last Wednesday. Chicago takes on the Panthers on the road in their regular-season opener Sunday, Sept. 13.

Coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that Monangai is "week-to-week" due to the right knee injury that he sustained in practice back on Sunday, Aug. 16, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.

Monangai was tackled from behind by Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Initially, Monangai's right knee was deemed to be structurally sound and the issue was termed a hyperextension, but he has yet to show much progress in his recovery. As a result, Monangai is in danger of being sidelined for the Bears' season opener Sunday, Sept. 13 at Carolina. Roschon Johnson would receive a bump in relevance behind D'Andre Swift in such a scenario.

Coach Ben Johnson believes Swift is "primed for a big year" in 2026, Dan Wiederer of The Athletic reports.

"It's the best I've seen him this time of year," Johnson said last week. "You look back at a year ago, he was very explosive, and yet it takes a little while to gel between him and the offensive line. I think he's accelerating his vision here at this point. I think [RBs] coach [Eric] Studesville has been fantastic for him just with the reads and being able to know the intent of where we're trying to hit things. He bounces it when we're supposed to bounce it. He hits it right on spot when it's there, then he cuts it up. I think he's doing a really good job right now. We just got to get into that first week nice and healthy and ready to go. I think he's primed for a big year, though." With Kyle Monangai (knee) still considered week-to-week 12 days out from the regular season, Swift could have a huge role early in the season. Running behind one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the league and in an offense that wants to score boatloads of points, Swift has big upside as a fantasy RB2.

Henderson continues to rehab a right ankle injury and hasn't been cleared for full participation in practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Henderson made an early departure from practice last Monday, which has sidelined him in the meantime. Reiss mentioned that Henderson was spotted in the locker room this Tuesday and seemed to be "walking normally," but the Patriots will take it easy on the second-year pro as a Week 1 road showdown with the Seahawks approaches next Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Colts GM Chris Ballard said Tuesday the "hope" is Pierce (ankle) will play in Week 1 against the Ravens.

Pierce was on the practice field Tuesday, but it's unclear if he's truly been unleashed for full team drills as he makes his way back from offseason ankle surgery. He missed most of training camp and didn't see any preseason action, but the Colts remain optimistic their No. 1 receiver will be in the lineup in 12 days against Baltimore. Indy has other injury concerns in its passing game, with Pierce, Josh Downs (calf) and Tyler Warren (groin) all dealing with injuries, while 34-year-old Keenan Allen isn't yet up to speed after signing with the team two weeks ago.

Higgins is tending to a heel contusion, but coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that it isn't considered to be a major concern ahead of Week 1, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

No. 1 wideout Ja'Marr Chase is also currently recovering from a left knee injury that he suffered in practice last Tuesday. Fortunately for Higgins, he doesn't appear to have a serious injury, just one that he'll have to manage with a season-opening matchup with the Buccaneers on the horizon.

Williams appears to be locked in atop the backfield depth chart after the Cowboys waived several running backs over the weekend, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Dallas cut all three of Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda as the roster was trimmed to 53 players over the weekend. Additionally, Williams didn't see any preseason action, suggesting the Cowboys are more than comfortable with his standing as the team's clear RB1. With Blue, Mafah and Abanikanda off the roster, the Cowboys are set to head into the regular season with Malik Davis and waiver pickup Emari Demercado as Williams' backups. Williams isn't a sexy pick in the third round of fantasy drafts, but he should be able to return that price with ease if he's seeing 18-22 opportunities per game like he did last season.

Henry will head into the Ravens' Week 1 game against the Colts with Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali as his backup options, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Though Keaton Mitchell is now with the Chargers after the Ravens non-tendered him back in the spring, Henry will be supported by a pair of familiar sidekicks. Ali is expected to serve as the Ravens' primary kickoff returner and will see most of his snaps on special teams, while Hill returns to his usual role as the top change-of-pace option. Rookie fifth-round pick Adam Randall (undisclosed) could also factor into the equation at some point this season, though not until at least Week 5 after the Ravens placed him on injured reserve. The makeup of the backfield once again points to the 32-year-old Henry handling a workhorse role in 2026, after he averaged 19.6 touches and exactly one touchdown per game over the prior two regular seasons.

Coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that Chase (knee) will be a limited participant in practice this week, and he "feels good about" where the wide receiver stands, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Chase injured his left knee last Tuesday when he attempted to catch a deep ball and had an awkward landing. He exhibited a visible limp in the aftermath, but he later told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer that it was a "little hyperextension," and he could have resumed practicing. Chase will attempt to put the issue behind him ahead of a Week 1 matchup with the Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Coach Dave Canales said Brooks missed practice Tuesday due to general soreness, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.

It doesn't sound like anything serious for the 23-year-old running back after he played 20 offensive snaps during the preseason, rushing eight times for 23 yards and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for nine yards. Brooks is expected to work in tandem with Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) this season, but there's a chance the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft can seize the starting role if he can show he's past the knee issues that ruined his first two seasons.