NFL Player News

Further tests on Gardner-Johnson's knee didn't reveal significant damage, and there is optimism that he could be available for the Texans' regular-season opener against the Rams on Sept. 7, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field during Thursday's practice after suffering a knee injury. Tests did not reveal any ACL damage, and it appears the 2019 fourth-rounder has avoided a serious injury. Gardner-Johnson will not play in any of the Texans' preseason games while he works on being fully healthy for Week 1. With Gardner-Johnson, Jimmie Ward (foot) and Jaylen Reed (leg) sidelined, M.J. Stewart and Russ Yeast will have an opportunity to work with the first-team defense at safety alongside Calen Bullock.

The Colts signed Noel to a contract Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Noel was let go by the Dolphins last week, but the undrafted free agent out of Missouri will get another chance to make an NFL roster with the Colts. While he's a longshot to make the 53-man roster, a strong performance in training camp and in the Colts' final two preseason games would give Noel a chance to stick around on the practice squad.

The expectation is that Maye will see some action in Friday's preseason opener against the Commanders, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Though Maye's playing status for Friday's contest hasn't been confirmed by the team, earlier this week coach Mike Vrabel did note that "most everybody that's healthy should expect to play in the game. How long they'll play, I don't know, but we have to prepare to play in football games and prepare to win football games." Also in the mix to see QB snaps for the Patriots versus Washington are Joshua Dobbs and Ben Wooldridge.

Ahmed is in jeopardy of missing the entire 2025 season due to an ankle injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ahmed had to be taken to a local hospital Sunday after he was taken down by a defender with an illegal hip-drop tackle. Further tests revealed an ankle injury, and it is severe enough that Ahmed could be sidelined for the whole season. His absence gives Khalil Herbert a better chance at making the Colts' 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp.

Renfrow (hamstring) is not expected to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Browns, Joe Person of The Athletic rpeorts.

Renfrow is working through a hamstring injury and hasn't practiced since late July, but there's optimism that the veteran wideout will be available for the Panthers' second preseason game against the Texans on Saturday, Aug. 16. Renfrow's absence opens the door for wideouts further down the depth chart to get more reps on offense, including David Moore, Jimmy Horn and Brycen Tremayne. Renfrow signed a one-year contract with the Panthers in April after taking a season off in 2024.

Ford is among the Browns not in line to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers.

Other key non-injured Cleveland skill players not slated to see action Friday are QB Joe Flacco, RB Pierre Strong, WRs Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, as well as TE David Njoku. With the status of unsigned rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unclear, Ford currently profiles as the Browns' top back, with Strong and Dylan Sampson also in the mix for touches out of the gate this season. As for Friday night's contest, Sampson, Trayveon Williams, Ahmani Marshall and Toa Taua are available to handle backfield touches.

The 49ers signed Mordecai to a contract Friday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mordecai will take the spot on the 49ers' training camp roster vacated by Equanimeous St. Brown (foot), who was placed on injured reserve. Mordecai is a longshot to make the 49ers' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. However, with Kurtis Rourke (knee) sidelined, Mordecai would have the opportunity to audition for a spot on the practice squad if he sees playing time as the third-string quarterback behind Mac Jones and Carter Bradley on Saturday against the Broncos if Brock Purdy doesn't play.

Purdy is a candidate to sit out Saturday's preseason opener against the Broncos, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Per Inman, look for most of the 49ers' usual starters to sit out the contest, with coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledging that the team "won't play a ton of them. Doesn't mean we will rest all 22. But don't expect to see a lot out there" Saturday. With that in mind, it's worth noting that Purdy didn't play in San Francisco's preseason opener the past two years, but he did make cameos in the team's following exhibition tilts.

The 49ers placed St. Brown on injured reserve Friday due to a foot injury, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

St. Brown injured his foot during Thursday's training camp practice, just two days after signing with the team after Andy Isabella (ankle) was let go, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. By being placed on IR, St. Brown will be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with San Francisco.

Coach Jim Harbaugh was noncommittal Friday about Harris' (eye) status for Week 1, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.

When asked Friday if there's a chance that the running back isn't ready for the Chargers' regular season opener against the Chiefs, Harbaugh said, "there's a chance he is." Harris, whose eye was injured in a July 4 fireworks mishap, remains on the active/non-football injury list ahead of Sunday's preseason contest against the Saints. In any case, it remains to be seen when Harris will resume practicing, but Rhim notes that the 2021 first-rounder began walking laps at practice last Saturday and has continued to do that daily since then, while wearing a helmet with a visor and cleats.