NFL Player News

Brooks (undisclosed) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Brooks is set to miss Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons but is all ready to go for Week 1 against the Raiders. The starting middle linebacker seems to have worked past his unknown injury and is being kept out for precautionary reasons.

Grant (leg) could miss the Dolphins' opening game against the Raiders, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reported Wednesday.

Grant is currently labeled as week-to-week by coach Jeff Hafley. The 2025 first-rounder suffered the leg injury in mid-August. While Grant may not be able to start Week 1, fellow defensive tackle Zach Sieler (undisclosed) should be good to go. If Grant cannot play, Jordan Phillips will likely start next to Sieler against the Raiders.

While acknowledging that backfield slotting behind Javonte Williams is still a question mark in advance of Friday's preseason finale against the Saints, Nick Eatman of the Cowboys' official site believes that Davis has done enough to remain the backup ahead of Week 1.

It's worth noting that this doesn't align with how Dallas' running backs are listed on the team's unofficial depth chart, and things could remain fluid leading up to and after roster cut-downs. However, it's a take shared by Todd Archer of ESPN, as well as Jon Machota of The Athletic, who predicts that Davis opens as the No. 2 back, while 2025 fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue -- a player with higher upside, per Machota -- is a candidate to take over the spot at some point during the season. Meanwhile, Phil Mafah is also in the mix but could be on the roster bubble. In any case, if Williams ends up missing any time, a committee approach could well be employed to fill the void, but in the short term at least, Davis appears to be trending toward being the next man up in such a scenario, with Blue also factoring in.

Johnson missed Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Johnson made an early exit Monday and hasn't yet returned, but there's been no indication of a serious injury that would jeopardize his Week 1 status. Giants coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Johnson will be ready for the season opener, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Stowers (hamstring) may not be active on gamedays even if he returns to health before the start of the regular season, according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.

The second-round pick reportedly had a quiet training camp even before his recent absences with a hamstring injury. He's caught three of five targets for 12 yards in two preseason appearances, and it looks like he may now open his career fourth on the tight-end depth chart. The Eagles also have veterans Johnny Mundt and Grant Calcaterra (back) competing for snaps behind veteran starter Dallas Goedert. Any hope for Stowers having Year 1 fantasy value entails Goedert missing time, though it sounds like that alone might not do the trick with Mundt and Calcaterra also in the mix to provide superior blocking and experience.

Dulin may play more on special teams after the Colts signed Keenan Allen this summer, Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star reports.

A thin depth chart put Dulin in position for a top-three role, but the Colts now hope to have Allen, Alec Pierce (ankle) and Josh Downs (calf) all ready for Week 1. In all likelihood, Dulin is merely competing with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for the No. 4 WR role at this point.

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said Wednesday that it's "too early to tell" if Conner (foot) will be ready for Week 1 against the Chargers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Conner avoided the PUP list at the start of training camp, but that was a month ago, and he still hasn't joined team drills at practice. With Jeremiyah Love (high ankle) also uncertain for the season opener and Trey Benson (knee) on injured reserve, Tyler Allgeier may be tasked with a large workload Week 1. Trade rumors involving Conner may also continue, but the more immediate concern is his slow return to football shape and uncertain availability for the early part of the regular season.

Walker is experiencing swelling around his ankle but is expected to "be fine," Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

It was reported Tuesday that Walker was dealing with a foot injury, and head coach Andy Reid clarified a day later that he is actually dealing with an ankle issue. Reid did not express any concern about about Walker's status, so it appears he is not facing any sort of extended absence.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said McCarthy won't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but the Vikings are hopeful he'll start Friday's preseason contest at Denver, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

McCarthy came out of Saturday's exhibition loss to the Ravens with an undisclosed injury, which O'Connell clarified Wednesday. The team wants McCarthy to be the first QB under center in Friday's preseason finale, but Minnesota will continue to monitor whether that's possible for the third-year pro, per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Wednesday's absence in the form of rest is a means to that end.

Penix (knee) won't play in Friday's preseason game in Miami, but he believes he'll be available for a Week 1 road matchup with the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 13, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Penix was cleared for team drills as of Saturday, but coach Kevin Stefanski won't allow the third-year pro to suit up with only three such practices under his belt. Penix also told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network that it's "too soon" to play in a game, but he thinks he'll be capable both physically and mentally to be the starter if Stefanski names him the No. 1 over competitor Tua Tagovailoa. Penix is completing the final stages of his recovery from the torn ACL he sustained in his left knee in Week 11 of last season.