NFL Player News

Head Coach Raheem Morris told reporters Monday that Walker (groin) is on track to play in Atlanta's Week 1 contest against the Buccaneers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Walker, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, sustained a groin injury at Falcons' practice in mid-August, but it now appears he's recovered enough to make his NFL debut Sunday. During Walker's final collegiate season, he posted 60 total tackles, including 6.5 sacks, and two passes defended across 14 games. He's expected to serve as one of the Falcons' top rotational outside linebackers in Week 1.

Parsons is managing a joint sprain in his back and may require an epidural injection in order to play in Sunday's season opener versus the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The Cowboys had reportedly prescribed Parsons a five-day plan of an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid before the team traded him to Green Bay on Thursday in exchange for two future first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. While Parsons has practiced since arriving to the Packers' facilities and is pushing to play Week 1, his availability for the season opener isn't fully guaranteed. As such, Parsons' listings on the Packers' three injury reports this week will be worth monitoring closely to get a sense of his chances of suiting up Sunday.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Monday that Gardner-Johnson (knee) is on track to play in Houston's Week 1 matchup against the Rams, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gardner-Johnson sustained a knee injury in early August that was initially feared to be serious, but it now appears he'll be ready for the Texans' regular-season opener Sunday. The Florida product is expected to serve as the starting free safety in his first season with Houston after posting 59 total tackles and 12 passes defended, including six interceptions, across 16 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024.

Jennings (calf) is participating in practice Monday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Jennings, who continues to seek a new contract with the 49ers after having requested a trade, is back on the practice field for the first time since late July. General manager John Lynch said in late August that the team doesn't intend to trade Jennings, but he spoke of the wide receiver's availability for Week 1 in uncertain terms. Even if Jennings is only practicing on a limited basis, his return to the field is a significant step in the right direction. Wednesday's first official practice report of the week will shed more light on Jennings' chances of suiting up Sunday versus the Seahawks.

The Eagles signed Green from their practice squad to the active roster Monday, Howard Balzer of USA Today reports.

Green failed to make the Eagles' initial 53-man roster in late August after being traded to Philadelphia in March, but he's since been added ahead of the team's regular-season opener. The 2022 first-round pick provides depth at guard as Landon Dickerson (knee) recovers from a meniscus injury.

Otton (leg) is participating in Monday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Otton is likely practicing on a limited basis Monday, but that's nonetheless a step in the right direction after it was reported last week that his leg injury could threaten his Week 1 availability. He previously missed time during the preseason due to a separate hamstring issue. Wednesday's first official practice report of the week officially will disclose Otton's activity level as Sunday's regular-season opener on the road against Atlanta approaches.

Judkins, who still hasn't signed his rookie deal with the Browns, could be back with the team as early as this week in advance of Sunday's regular-season opener against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.

Cabot believes that if Judkins were to sign and report to team facilities, he could even contribute Week 1 in some capacity. The NFL is still reviewing the July 12 incident in which Judkins was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge under its personal conduct policy, though charges against the 2025 second-rounder have been dropped. Cabot also states that the ongoing dispute between Judkins and the Browns over his yet-unsigned rookie contract relates to language surrounding guarantees. Even if Judkins' situation with the team gains clarity soon, he's missed all of training camp and the preseason and would have to ramp his way up before handling any sort of significant role. Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson are positioned to lead Cleveland's backfield Sunday at home against Cincinnati.

Winfree (hand) was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Winfree was placed on IR with a broken hand in late August, but the Texans have since decided to move on from the 28-year-old. The Colorado product last saw regular-season action with the Colts in 2023, failing to haul in his only target across eight games. Winfree is now free to sign elsewhere once he's fully healthy again.

Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Monday that Ekwonu (appendectomy) is considered day-to-day, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Ekwonu was spotted working off to the side of Panthers' practice Monday, which could be a good sign for his availability in the team's Week 1 contest against the Jaguars. However, if the 2022 first-round pick is unable to suit up Sunday, Yosh Nijman is expected to step in and protect Bryce Young's blindside.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Renfrow will play Sunday versus the Jaguars, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Renfrow failed to secure a spot on Carolina's initial 53-man roster but was re-signed by the team Saturday in the wake of Jalen Coker (quadriceps) being placed on IR and ruled out for at least the first four games of the season. The Panthers also traded Adam Thielen to Minnesota on Thursday, meaning after spending the offseason with the team, Renfrow now is competing with just David Moore and Jimmy Horn for opportunities behind Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) and Xavier Legette in Week 1.