NFL Player News

Tagovailoa (oblique) wasn't seen at Thursday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Tagovailoa seems to be trending toward a second consecutive absence to begin his Falcons tenure, though he still has one more opportunity to practice Friday prior to Sunday's game against the Panthers. Michael Penix (knee) and Cooper Rush have been splitting first-team reps. Rush started in the Week 1 loss to the Steelers, but Penix is likely to take over the starting job once he's deemed healthy enough to play.

Flowers (hamstring) was not spotted at Thursday's practice, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Flowers sat out Wednesday's session and did the same a day later. The speedy wide receiver will be hard-pressed to suit up Sunday if he's unable to practice in at least some capacity Friday. Fellow wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, so Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, Elijah Sarratt and LaJohntay Wester are the only healthy options in Baltimore's wide receiver room at the moment.

Pittman (foot) wasn't on the field for the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Pittman was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and appears to be trending in the wrong direction with Thursday's absence, though he'll have another chance to practice Friday before Pittsburgh releases its final injury report for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard would likely be in line for larger roles alongside DK Metcalf if Pittman doesn't play Sunday.

Okonkwo (hamstring) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Okonkwo exited Washington's 24-22 Week 1 loss to the Eagles due to a hamstring injury after catching two of three targets for 16 yards. That injury has sidelined him for practice both Wednesday and Thursday. If Okonkwo doesn't recover in time to face the Cowboys on Sunday, John Bates would be in line to work as the top tight end for the Commanders.

Collins (hamstring) wasn't on the field during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wilson relays that Collins has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain following an MRI, with the injury putting his availability "in jeopardy" for Sunday's game against the Bengals, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Collins will still have one more chance to mix into drills before the end of the week, but if he isn't able to practice in some capacity Friday, the Texans could rule him out ahead of Sunday.

Collins met with doctors after injuring his hamstring at Wednesday's practice, and although the injury does not seem serious, his status for Week 2 "is in jeopardy," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

There was concern about Collins' status after he popped up on Wednesday's injury report and was sent for tests on his injured hamstring, but the early indication is he is not dealing with a serious setback. Collins dealt with a hamstring issue in the past and will not be afforded much time before Sunday's matchup with the Bengals, so while the long-term outlook appears positive he could miss at least one game.

Owens (ankle) was a full participant in Washington's practice Wednesday.

Owens is healthy again after exiting the team's Week 1 loss to the Eagles due to an ankle injury. He should continue to serve as a depth safety and special teamer during Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Claiborne was a healthy scratch for the Vikings' Week 1 win over the Packers, but he's in line for a larger role for at least the next four games after Jordan Mason (thumb) was placed on injured reserve, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Mason, Aaron Jones and DeeJay Dallas were Minnesota's three active running backs for Sunday's 39-22 win over Green Bay, with Claiborne observing the game in street clothes. Mason's injury means Jones is the clear RB1 on the roster while the former is sidelined, but Claiborne will be in the mix for backup duties, with Dallas -- who was signed to the Vikings' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday -- being the rookie sixth-rounder's main competition. The Vikings hit the road for a Week 2 NFC North tilt this Sunday against the Bears, whose defense gave up 478 total yards -- including 125 rushing yards -- to the Panthers in a 59-37 Week 1 win for Chicago.

Kansas City signed Heldman (undisclosed) to its practice squad Wednesday.

Less than two weeks after getting waived from the Saints' injured reserve list, Heldman has already found a new home. The Chiefs placed Cooper McDonald (knee) on their injured reserve list Wednesday, so it makes sense that they're looking to add some depth on the edge.

Skule (oblique) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Skule was inactive for the Buccaneers' 33-27 loss to the Bengals last Sunday due to an oblique injury. The offensive tackle has healed from the issue and is all set to log three consecutive full practices in the lead-up to next Sunday's game against the Browns.