NFL Player News

Abanikanda was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Abanikanda was signed from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, but he did not appear in Sunday night's 28-20 loss to the Giants. The running back will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, there's a strong chance he returns to the practice squad with Dallas. In a corresponding move, running back Tyler Goodson was signed to the Cowboys' active roster Tuesday after opening the 2026 season as a member of the Falcons' practice squad.

The Jets signed Shepard to the practice squad Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Shepard failed to make the Texans' 53-man roster at the end of training camp after signing with the team Aug. 21. He'll get a fresh opportunity with the Jets, and he's a candidate to be elevated to the active roster for Week 2 against the Jets if rookie first-rounder Omar Cooper (ankle) is unable to play. Shepard appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Buccaneers in 2025, finishing with a 39-371-1 receiving line on 53 targets while adding four carries for 19 yards.

Goodson was signed to the Cowboys' active roster Tuesday.

Goodson signed with the Falcons' practice squad Aug. 31, but he will now head to Dallas ahead of Week 2. The running back will provide the team with an additional depth option behind starter Javonte Williams and primary backup Emari Demercado against the Commanders on Sunday. In a corresponding move, fellow running back Israel Abanikanda was waived Tuesday.

The 49ers signed Willis from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Willis will occupy the spot on the 53-man roster vacated by Alfred Collins (knee, IR). The former's addition to the active roster provides extra depth at tight end, with Jake Tonges expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time due to a knee injury he sustained in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Rams. Willis has appeared in 23 regular-season games since being selected by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with the Oklahoma product mostly serving as a contributor on special teams and as an occasional blocker on offense.

Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice.

Johnson has opened Week 2 prep with back-to-back limited practices, and Wednesday's report will provide clarity on whether he'll be available for Thursday night's home tilt against the Lions. The veteran running back is currently working through a right hamstring injury, and he's been dealing with lower-body issues since early training camp. Frank Gore would likely be elevated from the practice squad and serve as Buffalo's RB3 behind James Cook and Ray Davis if Johnson is not cleared to play against Detroit.

Lane (wrist) is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days, potentially as soon as Wednesday, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports.

Lane suffered a fractured wrist in the Ravens' Week 1 win over the Colts on Sunday, and now that he's set for surgery, the rookie is hoping to miss only "about a month," according to Zenitz. With Zay Flowers (hamstring) also less than 100 percent, the Ravens could be dipping into their wideout depth early in the 2026 campaign. Rashod Bateman, Chris Moore and LaJohntay Wester picked up the slack against Indy, but Devontez Walker (groin) and rookie Elijah Sarratt could join the mix Sunday against the Saints.

The Browns signed McLaughlin off their practice squad Tuesday.

McLaughlin takes the spot on the 53-man roster vacated by running back Dylan Sampson (knee), who was placed on injured reserve. McLaughlin has appeared in 41 career games over three seasons with the Broncos, carrying the ball 226 times for 1,093 yards (4.8 YPC) while scoring three touchdowns. He's also been competent as a pass catcher, securing 59 of 69 targets for 263 yards and four more scores. McLaughlin could play an immediate role in passing situations behind early-down back Quinshon Judkins.

Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

It's unclear exactly how much time Sampson will miss. He is expected back this season, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, but his placement on IR means he will miss at least the next four games. Jaleel McLaughlin was brought up from the practice squad, and both he and Raheim Sanders -- who played 18 snaps on offense and got four touches Sunday after Sampson's exit -- will work behind starter Quinshon Judkins.

Johnson rushed eight times for 24 yards in the Chiefs' 31-10 win over the Broncos on Monday night. He added two catches for 44 yards on two targets.

The rookie won the RB2 job behind Kenneth Walker pretty convincingly during training camp and the preseason, and Johnson showed why against Denver, consistently making plays with the ball in his hands. Most of his work came late in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand, but it's evident Johnson is a premier bench stash in fantasy should something happen to Walker.

Cooper (ankle) is "week-to-week," and the hope is he returns "within the next four weeks," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Cooper underwent an MRI after spraining his ankle in Sunday's victory over the Titans, and per the report he received "positive news" and could be back at some point in the next month. Isaiah Williams picked up the bulk of the work in Cooper's place in Week 1, and he figures to see extra snaps until the rookie first-round pick is ready to return.