NFL Player News

Watkins (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The rookie fourth-round pick caught three passes for 56 yards in his preseason debut but came out of the game with a high-ankle sprain. The 49ers are hurting for help at WR right now, but Watkins doesn't appear likely to be ready for Week 1 at Seattle.

The Panthers signed Smith to the practice squad, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Smith suited up for nine regular-season games with Philadelphia last year, after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He secured seven of nine targets for 41 yards and one score in that span, but after being waived by the Eagles on Tuesday, he'll now need to establish himself in a depth role for a new organization.

Gage (knee) is re-signing with the 49ers on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Gage was released Tuesday, likely with a verbal agreement in place to re-sign after cutdown day. He suffered an MCL sprain Aug. 21, but it isn't considered overly serious and may not keep him out for Week 1. Gage may have a meaningful role if the plays, given San Francisco's other injury and suspension issues at wide receiver. Only Ricky Pearsall appears locked in as a starter for the opener in Seattle.

Indianapolis signed Scott to the practice squad Thursday, Paul Bretl of USA Today reports.

Scott, a 2023 fourth-round pick, had spent his entire NFL career to date in Chicago before being waived by the team Tuesday. He suited up for 28 regular-season games with the Bears over the last two years, over which span he totaled 18 catches for 173 yards. Scott is still looking to score his first-regular season touchdown and will work to establish himself as a reserve option for the Colts.

Smith has been out since Aug. 11 while managing a personal matter and will be evaluated by the Vikings on a weekly basis, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Smith remains on Minnesota's active roster but it appears that he could be unavailable Week 1 against the Bears while managing a personal matter. He reworked his contract back in March to remain with the Vikings for the 2025 campaign.

Smith (groin) is practicing Thursday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Smith and A.J. Brown are both present at practice for a second consecutive day, as the star WR tandem continues to ramp things up ahead of the regular-season opener against Dallas on Thursday, Sept. 4. All indications remain that the Eagles expect both Smith and Brown to be available Week 1. A groin injury has hampered Smith's participation level since Aug. 19.

Brown (hamstring) is practicing Thursday, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

Brown also took part in Wednesday's practice. Though the star wideout has spent most of August managing a lingering hamstring injury, all signs have continued to point to his being available Week 1 against the Cowboys. DeVonta Smith (groin) is also practicing Thursday.

Mims (groin) is not present at Thursday's practice, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Mims left Wednesday's practice early to be evaluated for a groin issue, though Broncos coach Sean Payton downplayed the injury's severity. The team appears to simply be taking a cautious approach to the No. 2 receiver's recovery until next week, when prep for the regular-season opener against Tennessee on Sunday, Sept. 7 fully kicks off, as Payton said Mims will be back on the field Monday, per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com.

Mooney (shoulder) returned to practice Thursday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

It's the second promising sign this week, after Mooney avoided an injury list on cutdown day, which suggests the Falcons expect him to play at some point in September. The return to practice Thursday seemingly even gives Mooney a shot to play Week 1 against Tampa Bay, with 10 days to ramp up after missing practice for a little over a month. The Falcons haven't done anything to upgrade their WR room in the meantime -- perhaps another hint at confidence in Mooney's September availability

Coach Kevin Stefanski noted Thursday that Sanders is in line to be the Browns' emergency third QB on game days, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

While the Browns have added Bailey Zappe to their practice squad, the plan remains for Sanders to be the team's No. 3 QB out of the gate this season. With Kenny Pickett now with the Raiders, Dillon Gabriel will open up the campaign as Joe Flacco's top backup.