NFL Player News

Lambert-Smith failed to secure his only target during the Chargers' 27-21 win over the Chiefs on Friday night.

Lambert-Smith played 14 offensive snaps while rookie second-rounder Tre' Harris played just five snaps. On his only target, though, Harris managed an 11-yard completion, while Lambert-Smith finished catchless. Both rookies will again compete for reps behind starting wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston as the Chargers prepare for a Monday night showdown on the road at Las Vegas in Week 2.

Smith returned two kickoffs for 63 yards during Kansas City's 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Smith impressed in the return game Week 1, but the rookie seventh-round pick wasn't called upon to handle any actual carries, and he played just eight percent of offensive snaps. Still, it's encouraging to Smith's prospects that Elijah Mitchell was a healthy scratch Friday. Smith figures to operate as the No. 3 running back behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt again in Week 2 against the Eagles.

Gray brought in his lone target for three yards during the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Gray played 41 percent of offensive snaps behind top tight end Travis Kelce, but even with Xavier Worthy (shoulder) being forced off the field after three snaps and Rashee Rice (suspension) unavailable, Gray's target share didn't notably increase. He'll again contribute behind Kelce as Kansas City prepares for a Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles in Week 2.

The Bills officially elevated Prater from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, in preparation for him to start Sunday night against the Ravens.

Prater is expected to start Buffalo's first four games of the regular season, at least, with Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) on IR. He'll only be eligible to be elevated from the practice squad a maximum of three times, however, so if the Bills intend for Prater to handle kicking duties through Week 4 he'll need to be signed to the active roster at some point. The 41-year-old converted all six of his field-goal tries and all 10 extra-point attempts across four regular-season appearances with the Cardinals in 2024.

Johnson (groin) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Vikings.

Johnson got in a round of limited practices this week, but it remains to be seen if he will be available for Monday night's Week 1 opener after he missed all of training camp and the preseason.

Thornton secured two of four targets for 41 yards during the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Thornton recorded the second-highest yardage total of his NFL career in his first regular-season appearance with Kansas City, playing 72 percent of offensive snaps and operating as a starter in three-wide sets alongside Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. With Rashee Rice (suspension) unavailable for the first six games of the year, Thornton had already been facing increased opportunities, but it was Xavier Worthy (shoulder) being forced out after just three offensive snaps that bumped Thornton into a starting role in three-wide sets. If Worthy and Jalen Royals (knee) aren't ready to return Week 2 against the Eagles, Thornton will be primed for a similar opportunity.

Parsons (back), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, is expected to suit up, but his snap count will be monitored, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In his first full week of practice with his new team, Parsons was a limited participant in each session as he continues to manage the back injury that plagued him since the early days of training camp as a member of the Cowboys, Now with the Packers and with a four-year, $188 million extension in hand, he predictably won't be deployed as he normally will be, not only due to his health concern but the fact he's been in Green Bay for a little more than a week. Still, Parsons at the very least will be a part of the Packers' pass rush Sunday.

McCaffrey (calf), who is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's road game against the Seahawks, is expected to suit up unless he suffers any setbacks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

McCaffrey surfaced on San Francisco's injury report with a calf issue Thursday and was officially listed as limited, but he was then downgraded to being a non-participant Friday. Still, McCaffrey was running on the side field Friday and told David Lombardi of SFStandard.com that he "feels great physically" and plans to play through the calf injury, which he described as "minor." While McCaffrey's status for Week 1 may not be made official until 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, it sounds like he'll take the field barring an unexpected development during pre-game warmups.

Monangai (hamstring) does not carry an injury designation for Monday's regular-season opener at home against the Vikings.

Monangai practiced in full Saturday after being listed as a limited participant Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, fellow backup running back Roschon Johnson is officially questionable after turning in a DNP/DNP/LP practice slate. If Johnson is officially ruled out for Monday's game, Monangai will be positioned for the clear No. 2 backfield role behind starter D'Andre Swift.

Johnson (foot) is officially listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Vikings.

Johnson missed Chicago's first two practices of the week due to a foot injury but upgraded to a limited session Saturday, which provides at least some optimism that he could be trending in the right direction for Week 1. Meanwhile, rookie Kyle Monangai has been cleared to play Monday night at home versus Minnesota, while starter D'Andre Swift has avoided the injury report entirely.