NFL Player News

Smith (illness) is doubtful for Monday night's game against the Bears.

Smith was listed as a DNP on Thursday before getting in a limited practice Friday. He's clearly still under the weather, however, and the odds are against him playing in Monday night's Week 1 opener. Theo Jackson and Jay Ward would be in line for increased reps alongside Josh Metellus on the back end of Minnesota's defense.

Darrisaw (knee) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Bears.

Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL last October and continues to ramp up his recovery. He did get in a couple of full practices to finish the week, but it remains to be seen if he'll be out there at left tackle for Monday night's Week 1 opener. Justin Skule would be the logical fill-in if Darrisaw can't play.

Conklin secured both of his targets for 50 yards during the Chargers' 27-21 win over the Chiefs on Friday night. He also rushed once for two yards.

Conklin made the most of his limited opportunities in the receiving game Friday, while top wideouts Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston combined for a total of 26 of 34 possible targets. Conklin also played just 43 percent of offensive snaps, while fellow tight end Will Dissly (targeted once for an 18-yard gain) played 57 percent of snaps. Even in what preliminarily looks like a more pass-friendly offense led by Justin Herbert, Conklin and Dissly likely won't be major factors in the receiving game given Los Angeles' depth at wide receiver. They project to again split reps at tight end versus the Raiders on Monday night in Week 2.

Collins is expected to start at defensive tackle in Sunday's season opener against the Bengals, Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Collins has provided pressure from interior defensive lines for nine seasons -- Cleveland will be the fifth stop on his NFL journey. He's had 5.0 sacks each of the last two years and should benefit from the attention given to Myles Garrett. If he starts, Collins is expected to pair with 2025 first-round draft pick Mason Graham on the interior of defensive line. The duo spent some time training together in Houston (Tex.) during the offseason. Collins is likely to hold down the starting job at least until Mike Hall (knee) returns or perhaps longer. Hall practiced Thursday for the first time since being carted off the file in Week 18 last season and has been ruled out Sunday.

Lambert-Smith failed to secure his only target during the Chargers' 27-21 win over the Chiefs on Friday night.

Lambert-Smith played 14 offensive snaps while rookie second-rounder Tre' Harris played just five snaps. On his only target, though, Harris managed an 11-yard completion, while Lambert-Smith finished catchless. Both rookies will again compete for reps behind starting wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston as the Chargers prepare for a Monday night showdown on the road at Las Vegas in Week 2.

Smith returned two kickoffs for 63 yards during Kansas City's 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Smith impressed in the return game Week 1, but the rookie seventh-round pick wasn't called upon to handle any actual carries, and he played just eight percent of offensive snaps. Still, it's encouraging to Smith's prospects that Elijah Mitchell was a healthy scratch Friday. Smith figures to operate as the No. 3 running back behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt again in Week 2 against the Eagles.

Gray brought in his lone target for three yards during the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Gray played 41 percent of offensive snaps behind top tight end Travis Kelce, but even with Xavier Worthy (shoulder) being forced off the field after three snaps and Rashee Rice (suspension) unavailable, Gray's target share didn't notably increase. He'll again contribute behind Kelce as Kansas City prepares for a Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles in Week 2.

The Bills officially elevated Prater from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, in preparation for him to start Sunday night against the Ravens.

Prater is expected to start Buffalo's first four games of the regular season, at least, with Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) on IR. He'll only be eligible to be elevated from the practice squad a maximum of three times, however, so if the Bills intend for Prater to handle kicking duties through Week 4 he'll need to be signed to the active roster at some point. The 41-year-old converted all six of his field-goal tries and all 10 extra-point attempts across four regular-season appearances with the Cardinals in 2024.

Johnson (groin) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Vikings.

Johnson got in a round of limited practices this week, but it remains to be seen if he will be available for Monday night's Week 1 opener after he missed all of training camp and the preseason.

Thornton secured two of four targets for 41 yards during the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Thornton recorded the second-highest yardage total of his NFL career in his first regular-season appearance with Kansas City, playing 72 percent of offensive snaps and operating as a starter in three-wide sets alongside Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. With Rashee Rice (suspension) unavailable for the first six games of the year, Thornton had already been facing increased opportunities, but it was Xavier Worthy (shoulder) being forced out after just three offensive snaps that bumped Thornton into a starting role in three-wide sets. If Worthy and Jalen Royals (knee) aren't ready to return Week 2 against the Eagles, Thornton will be primed for a similar opportunity.