NFL Player News

Collins (hamstring), who is missing a second game in a row Sunday at Indianapolis, has "a decent chance" to return to action in Week 4 against the Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 4, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Collins hasn't logged any on-field reps since injuring his hamstring at practice on Wednesday, Sept. 16, but following Schefter's report Sunday morning, the wide receiver appears as if he'll give it a go at practice this week to see if a return is possible next weekend. In the meantime, Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Jared Wayne will be the primary wide receivers available to QB C.J. Stroud.

Bowers (knee), who is listed as questionable for Week 3, is expected to make his season debut Sunday at New Orleans, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Bowers underwent a meniscus trim on his left knee on Sept. 8 that sidelined him for the first two games of the season, and he then followed up back-to-back limited sessions to kick off Week 3 prep with an absence Friday, which head coach Klint Kubiak chalked up as a planned DNP, per Sam Warren of The Athletic. Listed as questionable ahead of the weekend, Bowers now is poised to return to action Sunday, "barring a surprise," according to Fowler.

Flowers (hamstring) will participate in a pregame workout to determine his status for Sunday's game against the Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, but the Ravens don't appear as if they expect him to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Both Schefter and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network are calling Flowers a "true pregame decision," but the field conditions in Brazil ultimately appear to be a factor in whether or not the wide receiver will be cleared for game action, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Such a call won't be made by Baltimore until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Flowers ends up missing a second game in a row, Rashod Bateman will serve as the team's No. 1 WR.

Coker (ankle) is in line to play in Sunday's game at Cleveland, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

On Friday, head coach Dave Canales told Mike Kaye of ESPN.com that he expects Coker to be available in Week 3, so Rapoport's report more or less corroborates what was anticipated for the wide receiver. In the end, though, Coker's status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Through two contests this season, he's displayed an incredible rapport with QB Bryce Young, hauling in 16 of 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.

Evans (hip) intends to play Sunday versus the Cardinals, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Evans opened Week 3 prep with back-to-back absences due to a hip injury, but his return to drills Friday as a limited participant left him questionable to suit up this weekend. Considering he doesn't require a full week of practice to be his normal self on game days, he should resume his role as the 49ers' top wide receiver Sunday, assuming he's deemed active about 90 minutes before a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Garrett (knee) is facing a six-week recovery from surgery on his left knee, but the pass rusher is determined to be back before then, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and ESPN reports.

Garrett required a knee scope after Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 17. He's already missed one game as a result and must sit out at least three more contests while on the list, but Rapoport's report indicates his rehab may extend beyond the Rams' Week 6 road matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Williams recorded 10 tackles (four solo) during Thursday's 35-14 loss to Atlanta.

Williams reached double-digit tackles for a second consecutive week, with the third-year safety co-leading the Packers in stops in Thursday's loss. He's up to 27 tackles (17 solo) and two pass defenses through three regular-season games and leads Green Bay in stops, with linebacker Zaire Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper tied for the second-most total tackles on the Packers (21 each).

McKinney recorded five tackles (four solo) and one interception during the Packers' 35-14 loss to the Falcons on Thursday.

It looked like the Packers' defense was going to make Thursday night a miserable 2026 debut for Michael Penix after the Falcons' QB was picked off by McKinney on the fourth play of Atlanta's first drive of the game, although Green Bay's offense was unable to capitalize on the takeaway. It was only two seasons ago that McKinney led the NFL with eight interceptions, though he's logged three picks across 19 regular-season games since the beginning of the 2025 campaign. He's opened the 2026 campaign with 12 tackles (nine solo) and one interception, and he's behind pace for the third 100th-tackle season of his seven-year NFL career.

Franklin tallied 10 tackles (three solo) during the Packers' 35-14 loss to the Falcons on Thursday.

Franklin played every single defensive snap for the third week in a row and finished Thursday's game tied with Evan Williams for most tackles on the Packers. It was the first time this season that Franklin logged double-digit stops after doing so five times across 17 regular-season games in 2025. The veteran linebacker is up to 21 tackles (seven solo) and is on pace to crack the 100-tackle mark for a fifth consecutive year.

Bates recorded four tackles (one solo) and one pass defense during the Falcons' 35-14 victory over the Packers on Thursday.

Bates played 65 of 66 defensive snaps during Thursday's win, though interestingly, he has yet to play every single defensive snap through three regular-season games after doing so 16 times last year. The veteran safety leads the Falcons with 17 total tackles, with his eight solo stops being fourth-most on the team.