NFL Player News

Pierce (groin) is not listed on the Colts' Week 1 injury report.

Pierce dealt with a groin issue last month, but is practicing without restrictions and poised to play in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dolphins. The 2022 second-rounder finished the 2024 campaign with career highs in receiving yards (824) and touchdowns (seven) on 37 catches across 16 games. Looking ahead, Pierce is slated to start the season as a key cog in a Colts pass-catching corps that also features fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, along with TE Tyler Warren, a group that will now be working with Daniel Jones, the team's new QB1.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Eagles.

The 2023 first-rounder started in all 17 regular-season games last year, but he was in jeopardy of not making the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. While he ultimately made the cut, Smith will be a healthy scratch Thursday, with Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 14 being his next chance to play. Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia will serve in a rotational role at defensive tackle behind starters Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark.

Witherspoon did not participate in Thursday's practice due to a knee injury, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Witherspoon may have picked up the injury during Wednesday's practice session. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but his practice participation Friday will provide clarity on his chances of playing in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Texans in Los Angeles. Cobie Durant, Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes would be the top candidates to start at outside corner opposite Darious Williams if Witherspoon is not cleared to play in Week 1.

Blue (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Thursday's game at Philadelphia.

Blue emerged from the Cowboys' preseason finale with a low-ankle sprain, but it wasn't serious enough to cause the team to list him on its Week 1 injury report. Nonetheless, his pro debut will be delayed until at least Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 14, while Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders handle the backfield work Thursday.

Phillips (ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Phillips has opened the week with back-to-back limited practice sessions while working through a rib injury. His activity level during Friday's practice will determine whether he has an injury tag heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay. Clark played in 16 regular-season games (two starts) in 2024 and finished with 35 tackles (27 solo), five pass defenses (one interception), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

New Orleans cut Dekkers from the practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Dekkers' removal makes room on the Saints' practice squad for linebacker Garrett Nelson. Dekkers will look to catch on with another team that is in need of a scout team quarterback.

Jones (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Jones is working through a hamstring injury, which has limited his participation in each of the first two practices of the week. He would avoid an injury tag heading into Week 1 against the Giants on Sunday were he to log a full practice Friday. Jones signed a one-year contract with the Commanders in March after spending the first nine years of his NFL career with the Patriots, and the veteran is expected to serve in a rotational role with Trey Amos, Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil at corner.

Armstrong (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The 2018 fourth-rounder opened the week with back-to-back limited practices due to a knee injury, and he would avoid an injury tag for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Giants if he were to log a full practice Friday. Armstrong signed a three-year contract with the Commanders in March of 2024, and in his first regular season with Washington he logged 39 tackles (20 solo), including 5.0 sacks, one pass defense and two forced fumbles across 16 games.

Darrisaw (knee) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Darrisaw is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACl and MCL in his left knee that he suffered last October. The 2021 first-rounder will have two more opportunities to return to practice and avoid an injury tag heading into Monday's regular-season opener against Chicago. Darrisaw is expected to serve as the Vikings' starting left tackle this season, but if he's unable to play, Justin Skule and Walter Rouse would be the top candidates to fill in at the blindside for Week 1.

Van Ginkel (neck) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Van Ginkel was unable to practice for most of August due to an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear whether that is related to the neck issue that popped up on Thursday's injury report. Regardless, his full practice participation indicates that he will be ready for the Vikings' Week 1 contest against the Bears on Monday. Van Ginkel is coming off a career-best season in 2024, when he finished with 79 tackles (50 solo), including 11.5 sacks, two pick-sixes and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games.