NFL Player News

Junior suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday's training camp practice, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

The 2022 sixth-rounder will undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, but he's in danger of missing Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals. Junior signed with the Broncos on Sunday after being waived by the Packers one week prior, and he's aiming to earn a spot on Denver's 53-man roster in a depth role in a secondary.

Head coach Shane Steichen said Thursday that Ebukam is nursing a back injury, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Ebukam entered training camp fully recovered from a torn Achilles that he suffered in July of 2024, but he's dealing with a back issue jeopardizes his chances of playing in Saturday's preseason game against the Packers. Ebukam's absence would open the door for Tyquan Lewis, JT Tuimoloau and Durell Nchami to see more rotational snaps at defensive end behind Laiatu Latu and Kwity Paye (groin).

Sutherland (undisclosed) was placed on the Lions' injured-reserve list Thursday.

Sutherland suffered an undisclosed injury during the Lions' joint practice with the Dolphins on Wednesday, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com. By being moved to the Lions' IR, Sutherland will be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with Detroit. Sutherland hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2021 with the Bengals.

The Lions placed Bootle (undisclosed) on the reserve/injured list Thursday.

Per Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com, Bootle suffered an unspecified injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the Dolphins. Bootle will be required to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with Detroit. He signed with the Lions in mid-July after playing for the Chargers in 2024, posting three tackles (two solo) across seven regular-season games in a special-teams role.

The Falcons signed Henderson to a contract Thursday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Henderson worked out with the Falcons in late July, and the 2020 first-rounder will now have an opportunity to compete for a depth spot on Atlanta's 53-man roster for the upcoming season. Henderson spent time on the Steelers' active roster during the 2024 season but did not play in a regular-season game before being placed on injured reserve in mid-November due to a neck injury. Henderson last saw regular-season action in 2023 with the Panthers, when he logged 39 tackles (31 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and two pass defenses across 12 games (seven starts).

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that he expects Purdy and "some" starters will suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Purdy thus appears poised to make his preseason debut Saturday, though he may be tasked with operating without wide receivers Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (hamstring) and Jordan Watkins (ankle), in addition to Brandon Aiyuk (ACL), who remains on the active/PUP list and may be sidelined until Week 6. Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson look set to operate as Purdy's top two wide receivers Saturday, while it remains to be seen whether Shanahan will opt to rest veteran playmakers Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.

Henry (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports.

A undisclosed issue sidelined the tight end earlier this week, but Henry's return to the field Thursday suggests that he could be available for Saturday's preseason contest against the Vikings. That said, it's unclear if the Patriots plan to play their starters or not this weekend.

Metellus injured his shoulder during Thursday's training camp practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters that Metellus injured his shoulder during the team's two-minute drill, and the sixth-year safety will undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury. Metellus has been a mainstay in the Vikings' secondary over the past two seasons, and an extended absence would open the door for Theo Jackson and Jay Ward to compete for a starting spot at safety alongside Harrison Smith.

Pierce (groin) didn't practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Previous reports suggested that Pierce was day-to-day, but given the wideout's continued absence from practice, it seems safe to say he won't see any action in Saturday's preseason contest against the Packers. Meanwhile, fellow WR Josh Downs left Thursday's session with a hamstring injury, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Evans will not join the rest of the starting offense in suiting up for Saturday's preseason game against the Steelers, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Evans remains healthy, by all accounts, but Tampa Bay will opt to rest the veteran wideout for a second consecutive preseason contest. It remains to be seen whether Evans will be in consideration to suit up for the Buccaneers' preseason finale against Buffalo on Saturday, Aug. 23, a game that will occur just days after his 32nd birthday. Chris Godwin (ankle) remains on the active/PUP list, but Baker Mayfield will have the benefit of calling upon both rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and second-year pro Jalen McMillan versus Pittsburgh on Saturday.