NFL Player News

Achane is dealing with a calf injury, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, coach Mike McDaniel noted Monday that the Dolphins don't want Achane's injury to linger, so the running back likely won't practice this week. On the plus side, Wolfe indicates that at this stage, the plan is for Achane to play against the Colts in Week 1.

Head coach Andy Reid relayed Monday that Mahomes and other starters are expected to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Bears, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

In a departure from Reid's usual philosophy of resting starters in preseason finales, the first-team offense is expected to see the field Friday, though Mahomes probably won't play more than a few series in this dress rehearsal. Mahomes played only three snaps in Kansas City's first exhibition and sat out the second entirely. The star quarterback's set to begin regular-season play Friday, Sept. 5 against the Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Mitchell (hamstring) returned to practice Monday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Mitchell had been sidelined since Baltimore's Aug. 7 preseason opener against the Colts in which he had nine carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. He missed the team's second preseason game this past Saturday against the Cowboys, but the speedy running back seems to be on track to play in the preseason finale against Washington this coming Saturday. Mitchell averaged 8.4 yards per carry in eight games as a rookie in 2023 before tearing his ACL and returned to average just 2.0 yards per carry across five regular-season games in 2024.

Dalton (elbow) is day-to-day as he deals with a muscle strain in his elbow area, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Dalton originally was diagnosed with an elbow sprain Saturday, but the injury has been clarified as more of a muscle strain, which has left the quarterback dealing with soreness. He threw in individual drills Monday and isn't expected to miss significant time, though it remains to be seen if he heals in time to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Nailor (hand) is week-to-week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Nailor had his hand jammed up during practice last Thursday and missed Minnesota's 20-12 preseason loss to New England on Saturday as a result, and it now looks like he also could be in danger of sitting out the team's preseason finale against Tennessee on Friday. At the very least, with three weeks to get healthy before Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, Nailor should be a full-go for the regular season. Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is returning to practice Monday, but with Jordan Addison (suspension) out until Week 4, Nailor looks in line to kick off the year benefiting from an expanded role on offense.

Jefferson (hamstring) will begin practicing, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Jefferson has been sidelined since late July by what has been described as a mild left hamstring strain, but the star wide receiver is ready to start ramping up his activity level. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Jefferson will participate in part of Monday's practice. Though Jefferson hasn't yet been cleared to participate in team drills without limitations, this development nonetheless is a step in the right direction. Jefferson's goal is to be ready for Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, but he's unlikely to suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Titans.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Milton will start Friday's preseason finale against Atlanta, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Schottenheimer said a decision between Milton and Will Grier as the top backup to Dak Prescott, who will rest for a third straight game Friday, hasn't yet been made, per Machota. The head coach also acknowledged Milton's inconsistent showing during Saturday's exhibition loss to Baltimore in which he completed nine of 18 passes for 122 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception, but he said that blame is owed to the entire offense, not just the quarterback, for failing to find a rhythm. In any case, it looks like the level of play Milton puts on tape during Friday's game will be crucial in determining his role to begin the 2025 regular season.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Prescott will not suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons, and that Joe Milton will get the start at quarterback, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Prescott won't suit up for any exhibition action this preseason, with Dallas instead opting to prioritize the veteran signal-caller's health after he was limited to just eight regular-season appearances in 2024 due to a torn hamstring. The 32-year-old was unproductive from a fantasy standpoint when healthy last season, but he enters the 2025 campaign as an interesting bounceback candidate, largely due to the addition of a true downfield playmaker in George Pickens to take the pressure off No. 1 wideout CeeDee Lamb. Lamb and Pickens will be joined in three-wide sets by Jalen Tolbert, who took a step forward with a 49-610-7 receiving line while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games in 2024, plus a capable red zone threat in TE Jake Ferguson.

Abanikanda had 12 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-10 preseason victory over the Jets. He also returned five kicks for 120 yards in the contest.

It was a busy Saturday afternoon for Abanikanda, who in addition to being busy on specials teams, led the Packers in both carries and rushing yards. Abanikanda's chances of securing a roster spot will improve if MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) misses any sort of significant time, but he is still presumably behind both Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks -- and of course, starter Josh Jacobs -- on the depth chart.

McMillan did not practice Monday due to a minor hamstring injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

McMillan joined Bryce Young and the starting offense for two series during Saturday's 20-3 preseason loss to Houston, in which he failed to haul in his only target and appears to have picked up a hamstring injury. Panthers coach Dave Canales has already stated that McMillan and the starters won't play in Thursday's exhibition finale against Pittsburgh, so the rookie first-round pick will turn his attention toward getting healthy for Week 1 against the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7, a task the next three weeks (roughly) should be plenty of time to accomplish. Carolina figures to take a cautious approach to McMillan's recovery, given his integral role on offense as Young's immediate No. 1 target.