NFL Player News

Pierce (heel) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Pierce has kicked off Week 1 prep with a pair of limited practices, but he could still avoid an injury designation for Sunday's season opener against the Ravens by upgrading to full participation Friday. The Colts' leading receiver in 2025 is coming off an eventful offseason, during which Pierce underwent ankle surgery shortly after signing a four-year, $114 million contract in March. This current heel issue may be connected to that ankle procedure, which kept Pierce sidelined for all of training camp.

Tagovailoa was limited at Thursday's practice by an oblique injury, according to the Falcons' official site.

It appeared Tagovailoa was dealing with a back injury, but it turns out he's actually tending to an oblique issue. This is a curveball for the Falcons, who are already shorthanded at quarterback with Michael Penix (knee) out for the opener. With Tagovailoa tending to the injury, the Falcons gave all the first-team reps to Cooper Rush on Thursday. Suddenly, Friday's injury report becomes one of the most impactful ones across the whole league as the Falcons could be down their top two quarterbacks for Week 1 if Tagovailoa doesn't bounce back quickly.

Branch (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Branch has been a limited participant in consecutive practices to kick off Week 1 prep, but the rookie third-round pick still has a chance to avoid an injury designation if he can upgrade to full practice participation Friday as he looks to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Steelers. Branch is expected to fill a reserve role at wide receiver to begin his career, but he's penciled in as Atlanta's primary punt returner.

Rush took all of the first-team reps at Thursday's practice while Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was unable to participate, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Michael Penix (knee) has already been ruled out, so if Tagovailoa is sidelined by the oblique injury he suffered during individual drills Thursday, Rush would be next in line to get tabbed for the Week 1 start Sunday against the Steelers, ahead of undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Tagovailoa officially went down as a limited participant Thursday, per Raimondi. Rush has a career 9-7 record as a regular-season starter, having gone 9-5 with the Cowboys from 2021 through 2024 but 0-2 with the Ravens last season.

Brooks (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Brooks said Wednesday that he expects to play in the opener, but the club continues to keep a lid on his practice participation as he's yet to log a full session this week. He still could play this week despite the team's caution in practice. Assuming he's good to go, Brooks and Chuba Hubbard will handle the bulk of the backfield work against the Bears on Sunday.

Tagovailoa (back) could cede the Week 1 starting role to Cooper Rush, who took all of the first-team reps with the offense Thursday after Tagovailoa exited early due to a back injury, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Tagovailoa was named Atlanta's starter for Sunday's regular-season opener earlier in the week, but he went down grabbing his back in individual drills Thursday and subsequently sat out the remainder of practice. The Falcons are now preparing to head into Week 1 with the third-stringer Rush under center, as Tua is in danger of joining Michael Penix (knee) on the sidelines. If Tagovailoa is ruled out, Jack Strand would serve as Rush's backup this weekend.

Nabers (knee) logged another full practice Thursday, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Coach John Harbaugh provided the update after Thursday's session. Nabers has been practicing in full this week, though there's no confirmation on his status for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys just yet. It appears the Giants will wait as long as they can to make a final determination on their star receiver's Week 1 availability.

Odunze (calf) was listed as a limited participant for Thursday's practice.

Odunze was limited for a second day in a row as his status remains unclear going into Week 1. Friday's injury report should provide some clarity, but even then, the Bears may not make a final call on Odunze until Sunday. An absence from Odunze this weekend would open playing time for Kalif Raymond or Zavion Thomas.

Kupp caught two of three targets for 35 yards in Wednesday's 13-10 win over the Patriots.

Kupp turned the tide with a spectacular one-handed grab for 24 yards in the third quarter while the Seahawks trailed 10-0. He thought he had a seven-yard touchdown three plays later, but the scoring play was nullified by an illegal shift penalty. Seattle would settle for a field goal to kickstart a 13-0 run to end the game. Kupp finished a distant second in receiving yards behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba's 122, which could be a preview of the team's pecking order in the passing game all season. Sam Darnold (hip) exited in the first quarter of Wednesday's win, and Drew Lock is likely to be Seattle's starting QB in Week 2 against the Cardinals while Darnold's on the mend.

Raridon caught his only target for a two-yard touchdown in Wednesday's 13-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Raridon opened the scoring in the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown catch on his first career target, but the Patriots failed to hold onto the lead. The rookie third-round pick out of Notre Dame played 38 of the team's 71 snaps on offense, and Raridon is the clear No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, who caught all three of his targets Wednesday.