NFL Player News

The Bears signed Duvernay to the active roster Thursday.

Duvernay is back with the Bears one day after being released by the team. The 2020 third-rounder is expected to play a larger role on special teams as a returner than he is on offense. He logged 351 yards on kick returns and 167 yards on punt returns across 13 regular-season games with the Jaguars in 2024, but he recorded only 11 catches (on 16 targets) for 79 yards that season.

Philadelphia signed Epps to the practice squad Thursday.

Epps is linking with the Eagles' practice squad, not the team's 53-man roster. The veteran safety was released by New England on Tuesday and quickly rejoins Philadelphia in a depth capacity, a role he filled with the Eagles from 2019-2021 before operating as a full-time starter in 2022.

McKinney (calf) said Thursday that will be ready to play in the Packers' regular-season opener against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 7, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

McKinney returned to practice last week after missing all of training camp due to a calf injury. The 2020 second-rounder appeared confident that he would be ready to play in the Packers' regular-season opener, and his practice participation next week should indicate his chances of suiting up for Week 1. McKinney logged 88 tackles (60 solo), including 1.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and eight interceptions across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Mukuba did not participate in Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.

Mukuba was able to overcome a shoulder injury to participate in training camp practice, but he is now working through a hamstring issue that sidelined him for Thursday's session. The Eagles open the regular season against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 4, so Mukuba's practice participation next week will factor into his chances of suiting up for Week 1. The rookie second-rounder is expected to serve in a rotational role at safety behind starters Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown.

Cleveland signed Zappe to the practice squad Thursday.

Zappe suited up for and started one game for Cleveland during the 2024 regular season, completing 16 of 31 pass attempts for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed twice for two yards. The 2022 fourth-round pick, who began his NFL career with New England, will remain with the Browns as an emergency option at quarterback.

The Eagles signed Covey to the practice squad Thursday, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

Covey spent the last three seasons with the Eagles, and he has returned to Philadelphia as a member of the practice squad after failing to make the Rams' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. Covey appeared in five regular-season games for the Eagles in 2024 and finished with seven catches (on eight targets) for 34 yards.

Head coach Brian Callahan said Thursday that Sneed (quadriceps) is "trending in the right direction" to play in Week 1 against the Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 7, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Sneed started training camp on the active/PUP list due to a lingering quadriceps injury from the 2024 season. He was cleared to return to practice at the tail end of training camp, and his practice participation next week will indicate his chances of playing in Tennessee's regular-season opener. Roger McCreary, Darrell Baker and the recently acquired Jalyn Armour-Davis would be the top candidates to start at outside corner opposite Jarvis Brownlee if Sneed is unable to play in Week 1.

Gonzalez (hamstring) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Gonzalez has not participated in practice since suffering a hamstring injury in late July. A return to practice next week would be a step in the right direction for the 2023 first-rounder, but he would likely need to log multiple practices to have a shot at being ready for Week 1 against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 7. Charles Woods, Alex Austin and Marcus Jones would be the top candidates to start at outside corner opposite Carlton Davis if Gonzalez is not available for the Patriots' regular-season opener.

Mullings (ankle) is not practicing Thursday, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Mullings hasn't practiced since Tennessee's final preseason game on Aug. 22, a 23-13 win over the Vikings, in which he sustained a right ankle injury. His status appears uncertain for Week 1 against the Broncos. If Mullings misses any time, Julius Chestnut will have a clear path to the No. 2 running back role behind Tony Pollard.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Thursday that Bowman will open the regular season as the team's starting nickel cornerback, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Bowman has shown enough this offseason to kick off his NFL career as Atlanta's top slot cornerback, beating out Dee Alford. That's an impressive feat for the rookie fourth-round pick, who played safety at Oklahoma. Bowman's first opportunity to prove that his ball-hawking ability will translate to the NFL regular season will come Week 1 at home versus the Buccaneers.