NFL Player News

Rice (groin) is expected to have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL scheduled for Tues., Sept. 30, making him likely to play in Kansas City's first four games of the regular season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Rice's disciplinary hearing with the NFL is expected to result in a multi-game suspension relating to his involvement in a multi-car crash that occurred in Dallas during the 2024 offseason, and a scheduling date of Sept. 30 likely now means that any missed time would come either in the middle of the 2025 campaign, or be deferred until 2026. That at least provides clarity that Rice, who missed the Chiefs' preseason opener against the Cardinals due to what coach Andy Reid described as a minor groin injury, should be available for the first four games of the regular season at a minimum, beginning Week 1 against the Chargers on Friday, Sept. 5. The status of both Rice and Hollywood Brown (ankle) remains uncertain for Friday's exhibition matchup against Seattle.

Sampson was the first running back through the rotation both Wednesday and Thursday during joint practices with the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Sampson started Cleveland's preseason opener and took two carries for six yards, although it didn't mean much with most of the key veterans -- including RB Jerome Ford -- being held out. The first-team reps in practice are a better sign, especially with no report of Ford being injured, potentially hinting at a rotation between the two RBs early in the season. Fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned -- and uncertain to play this season -- after a July arrest for domestic violence charges.

Brown (hamstring) isn't practicing Thursday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After missing a week of training camp, Brown returned to practice as a limited participant Sunday and Tuesday, but the Eagles are now playing it safe and holding him out from joint practices with the Browns. It'll be more concerning if Brown remains out of practice next week, following Saturday's preseason game against Cleveland.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Thursday that Gabriel will start Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles as long as his lingering hamstring injury doesn't act up in pre-game workouts or after practice, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.

Gabriel has been participating in 11-on-11 drills since Monday, so his hamstring injury doesn't appear to be hampering him much. In all likelihood, the Browns are simply taking extra precautions toward the rookie third-rounder's recovery, with Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) already expected to miss Saturday's game due to injury, and veteran Joe Flacco in line to rest. If Gabriel is able to start, he'll be relieved by Tyler Huntley. If the rookie can't go, however, Cleveland could sign an additional signal-caller to back up Huntley.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that LaPorta will "miss a little bit of time" with a minor injury, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.

LaPorta isn't practicing Thursday and presumably won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins. Campbell didn't provide details on the injury, only saying that it's nothing major and LaPorta will miss some practice time. The tight end otherwise seems to have been a full participant in Detroit's offseason program and training camp.

Warren suggested Tuesday that he expects to play in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hadn't announced anything as of Thursday morning, but it would follow his pattern from past seasons if he played most of his healthy starters in the second preseason game. While it remains to be seen if Warren is technically a starter come Week 1, there's no doubt he'll be a big part of the offense. Starter or not, his workload will partially depend on the progress of rookie Kaleb Johnson, who took nine touches for 26 yards in the preseason opener while playing extensively with Pittsburgh's backups. The presence of QB Aaron Rodgers could also be a factor, as he has a well-documented preference for veteran teammates and recently told reporters that he thinks Warren can be a three-down back, per Nick Farabaugh and John Luciew of Penn Live. That said, Rodgers' preferences might also work in favor of free-agent addition Kenneth Gainwell, another veteran RB with plenty of experience on passing downs.

Guyton (knee) was working with resistance bands on the sidelines during Wednesday's practice, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

The Cowboys' starting left tackle went down with a bone fracture in his right knee during practice at the end of July, but the team is holding out hope he'll be recovered in time to play against the Eagles in Week 1. While he's been out of action, 2024 seventh-round pick Nathan Thomas, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury of his own, has seen the bulk of first-team reps at left tackle and would likely get the start in the opener if Guyton isn't ready.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen said Tuesday that Coleman is "having a really good camp," Mike Moraitis of SI.com reports.

Allen said Coleman is "still seeing a lot of growth in his game and just the nuance to playing the receiver position and doing the things that we're asking him to do," and that the second-year pro has "consistently" been "a guy that can go and win" in one-on-one situations. With top wideout Khalil Shakir expected back for Week 1, but considered week-to-week due to a high-ankle sprain and currently not practicing, Coleman appears to be making the most of his increased opportunities. The 2024 second-round pick was primarily deployed as a downfield target as a rookie, but Buffalo's addition of deep threat Joshua Palmer in free agency could open up a path for Coleman to see more flexible, fantasy-friendly utilization Year 2. Coleman's size, body control, and potential to dominate in one-on-one situations provide him the upside of developing into a go-to red zone target for Allen, something the Bills lacked last season.

Sanders participated in team drills Wednesday for the first time in more than a week, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

The veteran running back returned to practice Tuesday after missing time with a knee issue, and he was a full participant Wednesday. Sanders remains behind Javonte Williams on the Cowboys' backfield depth chart, and he was being pushed by rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) earlier in camp before the 2025 fifth-round pick was sidelined last week. Given that he only signed a one-year, $1.34 million contract with the team back in March, Sanders isn't a lock to have a significant role in the offense.

Rodriguez was held from Tuesday's practice due to a minor ankle injury he sustained in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

He's questionable for this weekend's preseason game against the Patriots. Rodriguez played just two games last season but could become a valuable depth contributor on the defensive line.