NFL Player News

Taylor (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor had his knee scoped early on during training camp and missed the preseason. He recently returned to practice, however, and appears on track to handle QB2 duties behind Justin Fields in Sunday's Week 1 opener versus Pittsburgh.

Bernard (hamstring) isn't listed on the Bills' injury report Wednesday.

Bernard dealt with a hamstring injury for much of training camp, but he's presumably past the issue. That means he'll likely be able to play Sunday versus Baltimore in the regular-season opener. Bernard is looking to reach triple-digit tackles for the third straight campaign and was rewarded with a four-year, $50 million contract this spring.

Scourton (chest) was not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.

Scourton recovered quickly after suffering a collapsed lung on Aug. 16, and it seems like he'll be available for Carolina in Week 1. He figures to play a rotational role on the edge in 2025, though his recent injury combined with the fact he's a rookie could keep his snap count low to start the year.

Cross (hip) did not appear on the Colts' injury report Wednesday.

Cross was battling a hip issue during the preseason, but he's now all set to play in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dolphins. The safety played in all 17 regular-season contests with the team in 2024, recording an impressive 146 total tackles (87 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed, three of which were interceptions.

Phillips (ribs) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Phillips has been dealing with a rib injury since early August that prevented him from practicing until Wednesday. He'll have two more chances to increase his activity level this week and avoid an injury tag heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against the Buccaneers. Natrone Brooks would be in line to see more rotational snaps at outside corner behind starters Mike Hughes and A.J. Terrell if Phillips is unable to play.

Pickett (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

Prior to being traded from the Browns to the Raiders on Aug. 25, Pickett had been managing a hamstring issue. The QB's full practice participation Wednesday, however, paves the way for him to serve as Geno Smith's backup in Week 1 against the Patriots. Meanwhile, fellow signal caller Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on IR and will miss at least four games out of the gate this season.

Gardner (fibula) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Gardner dealt with a calf issue earlier in the summer, and it's unclear when he picked up the fibula injury. However, a limited start to the practice week would seem to put Gardner on track to play in Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Steelers.

Walker (groin) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Walker had been dealing with a groin injury since mid-August, but his absence from Wednesday's injury report indicates that the rookie first-rounder is past the issue. Barring any setbacks, Walker is in line to make his NFL regular-season debut against the Buccaneers on Sunday, when he'll work in a pass-rush rotation with Leonard Flloyd, Arnold Ebiketie and James Pearce.

Watkins (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

In the wake of the 49ers' preseason opener on Aug. 9, Watkins was revealed to have a high-ankle sprain that would require one month to recover from. Until he gets back on the practice field, he's an unlikely candidate to play on game days, and his listing on Friday's injury report may reveal that the rookie fourth-rounder isn't in line to make his pro debut Sunday at Seattle.

Horn (thumb) was not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.

Horn had been tending to a thumb injury he sustained a couple weeks into training camp as a result of a car accident, but it appears he'll be ready to suit up in Week 1. He figures to see a lot of Brian Thomas in Carolina's regular-season opener.