NFL Player News

Hutchinson could be a candidate to get starter-level snaps in Sunday's season opener versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, the 2023 sixth-rounder has impressed behind the scenes, and with Christian Kirk (hamstring) sidelined, the snaps that don't go to top pass catcher Nico Collins are up for grabs. In that context, Hutchinson, along with rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, should have added opportunities Sunday. The Texans' Week 1 snap counts will thus be telling, but Hutchinson is a player to monitor, especially if Kirk misses additional time.

Sigle will be the 49ers' starting safety against the Seahawks on Sunday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Per Maiocco, Sigle becomes the first 49ers rookie to start at safety in Week 1 since Eric Reid in 2013. With Malik Mustapha (knee) starting the season on the reserve/PUP list, Sigle will start alongside Ji'Ayir Brown at safety, while Jason Pinnock and Siran Neal serve in a rotational role.

Howden (oblique) is inactive for Sunday's tilt versus Arizona.

Howden battled an oblique injury throughout the week, though he was able to participate in practice in a limited fashion. Nonetheless, he isn't well enough to take the field for New Orleans' regular-season opener. With Howden out Week 1, rookie Jonas Sanker will be the primary safety depth behind Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon.

Van Lanen (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Van Lanen was held out of training camp practices for all of August after suffering a shoulder injury. He managed to return to practice this past week in a limited capacity, but he has not progressed enough in his recovery to play Sunday. Van Lanen's next opportunity to play is Week 2 against the Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Ekwonu (appendectomy) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Ekwonu is still recovering from an emergency appendectomy that he underwent in late August, and his next chance to make his 2025 regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 14. Yosh Nijman is expected to start at left tackle in Ekwonu's absence, per Joe Person of The Athletic.

Palmer (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's clash against the Cardinals.

Palmer joined New Orleans as a waiver claim in late August, so he may not have had time to get completely caught up with the playbook. He's also no better than No. 5 in the Saints' wideout pecking order, with all of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks and Devaughn Vele clearly ahead of him on the depth chart. Mason Tipton is also on the roster and is active for Week 1, so he may be ahead of Palmer as well.

Campbell (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Campbell popped up on Thursday's injury report due to an ankle injury. However, the issue is not severe enough for the rookie first-rounder to miss Sunday's game, where he'll serve as the Patriots' starting left tackle and be tasked with protecting Drake Maye's blindside. Vederian Lowe and Marcus Bryant are the Patriots' backup tackles and would be candidates to enter Sunday's contest if Campbell suffers a setback.

The Texans envision Chubb serving as their "bell-cow running back" in Sunday's season opener versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Joe Mixon (foot/ankle) racked up 12 touchdowns and 1,325 yards in 12 games as the Texans' lead back in 2024, but he'll miss at least the first four contests of 2025 after being placed on the reserve/non-football injury list Aug. 26. With Mixon out of the picture for at least the first quarter of the season, Chubb looks poised to have an extended runway to lead the Houston backfield. Chubb's final season in Cleveland was cut short by a foot fracture that he sustained Dec. 15, but he avoided surgery and has reportedly looked healthy and effective in training camp after joining Houston on a one-year deal in June. When available, Chubb has proven to be one of the NFL's most efficient runners, though he averaged a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry over his eight games in Cleveland a season ago. He could be in line for some improvement now that he's further removed from the major knee surgery he required in September 2023, and while he looks poised to dominate the early-down work out of the Houston backfield, Chubb has never been a major contributor in the passing game and could cede most of those reps to Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks or Dare Ogunbowale.

Daniels (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Daniels looked to be trending in the wrong direction after missing Friday's practice due to an ankle injury. However, the 2018 second-rounder has been cleared to play Sunday and will serve as the Dolphins' starting right guard while Kion Smith serves in a backup role.

Alexander (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The rookie third-rounder will be in street clothes for Sunday's regular-season opener, which leaves D.J. Davidson and Elijah Garcia to serve in rotation on the Giants' defensive line behind Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Dexter Lawrence and Roy Robertson-Harris. Alexander's next opportunity to make his NFL regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 14 in Dallas.