NFL Player News

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Thursday that Brown (oblique) is managing soreness, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Brown is working his way back from meniscus surgery that addressed a knee injury that limited him to just one appearance in 2024, and he declared himself 100 percent healthy to kick off training camp. As such, Carolina figures to take a cautious approach as the starting defensive end works his way back from his current oblique issue. Canales reiterated Tuesday that Brown's surgically repaired knee "feels great."

Emerson suffered a left Achilles injury during practice Tuesday and will undergo an MRI on Wednesday to determine the extent of the issue, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relays that the cornerback is set to undergo imaging to determine the full extent of his injury. The expectation is that it's a significant Achilles tear for Emerson, who logged 80 tackles in 2024 as was set to start once again opposite Denzel Ward in the secondary.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday that Ahmed has a back injury, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Indianapolis will take a day off from training camp Wednesday, so Ahmed's next opportunity to take the practice field will come Thursday. The veteran running back joined the Colts' practice squad last season after being cut by Denver, but he didn't suit up for regular-season action with either team.

As Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Lions approaches, coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged that there is still no timetable for the return of Harris (eye) to practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Harris, who sustained an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, has been on the active/non-football injury list since July 17, though the running back has been spotted on the field during practice in shorts and a t-shirt. Until he's ready to return to drills, 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton should continue to see added first-team reps. Once Harris is cleared to practice, he'll be able to make his case for a key backfield role alongside his highly touted rookie counterpart.

Hampton is in line to play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Lions, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

While coach Jim Harbaugh said that "veteran traditional starters" won't play in the contest, Hampton -- as well as rookie WRs Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith -- is slated to see snaps versus Detroit. Hampton, who was taken 22nd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, is destined to play a key role this season in a Chargers backfield that also features Najee Harris, who is on the active/non-football injury list after sustaining an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July.

Washington (undisclosed) made a highlight play at practice Tuesday, hauling in a 50-yard pass from quarterback Zach Wilson, Barry Jackson, Omar Kelly and C. Isaiah Smalls of the Miami Herald report.

Washington missed his entire rookie season due to a lower-leg injury then opened OTAs in a non-contact jersey, but he appears fully healthy at training camp. The 2024 seventh-round pick will now work to both remain healthy and build some momentum while impressing as a downfield threat. He tallied 59 catches for 1,062 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season at USC.

Johnston isn't in line to play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Lions, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said that "veteran traditional starters" won't be seeing action in the contest, with Ladd McConkey also slated to get Thursday off. In the wake of Mike Williams' retirement, McConkey and Johnston are on track to start this season, with 2025 draftees Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith looking to make an immediate impact in a wide receiver corps that also includes Derius Davis and Jalen Reagor (lower body).

Long (undisclosed) suffered an apparent injury late during Tuesday's practice and limped off the field, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Long made a highlight play during Tuesday's practice, per Jamal St. Cyr and Justin Barney of News4JAGS, but he appeared to get somewhat banged up in the process. It remains to be seen how long, if at all, Long will be sidelined. He's competing for opportunities behind Brenton Strange and Johnny Mundt (upper body) in a tight-end corps that saw Evan Engram depart for Denver earlier this offseason.

Pittsburgh waived Lemonious-Craig (lower body) with an injury designation Tuesday.

Lemonious-Craig will revert to IR if he goes unclaimed on waivers, in which case he'll be eligible to reach an injury settlement with the Steelers. The undrafted rookie out of Arizona ran a 4.4 40-yard dash during his pro day.

Coach John Harbaugh said Likely rolled his left ankle at Tuesday's practice and may miss "a few weeks," Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end sustained the injury on a 1-on-1 rep with safety Sanoussi Kane, after which he couldn't put much weight on his left leg and was carted off the field. Likely will undergo an MRI on Wednesday. For as long as he's sidelined, Charlie Kolar, Zaire Mitchell-Paden and Sam Pitz will be candidates for reps behind starter Mark Andrews.