NFL Player News

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.

Burden (groin) returned to practice Wednesday, but he was contained to individual drills, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Since exiting practice Aug. 8 due to a groin injury, Burden was given a prognosis of roughly one month, meaning preseason action was off the table. However, his ability to mix back into some drills Wednesday generally is a positive sign in his recovery. The Bears open the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13 at Carolina, a contest for which Burden will continue to ramp up for.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Tagovailoa will start Friday's preseason game at Miami, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Fellow QB Michael Penix recently was cleared for team drills in practice as he continues to ramp up his activity level following last season's torn ACL. Stefanski relayed that Penix won't play preseason Week 3, which will give Tagovailoa another chance to stake a claim to the Falcons' starting quarterback gig. Stefanski also told Kendall that he'll name a starter "whenever they tell me I have to," so the competition appears to be a toss-up at the moment.

Love (ankle) was spotted doing some light agility work with trainers ahead of Wednesday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Love emerged from his only action of the preseason Aug. 13 with a high-ankle sprain that has sidelined him from practice and one exhibition in the meantime. While his ability to get in some work Wednesday is an encouraging step in his recovery, he's likely still some time away from mixing back into drills. Tyler Allgeier will continue to handle the bulk of the first-team RB reps until Love is healthy.