NFL Player News

Turner (ankle) was not listed on the Bears' estimated injury report Thursday.

Turner was sidelined for most of training camp due to an ankle injury that he suffered in late July. His absence from Thursday's estimated report indicates that he's past the issue, and the rookie second-rounder is in line to make his NFL regular-season debut against the Vikings on Monday. Turner is expected to begin the season in a rotational role at defensive tackle behind starters Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter.

Clark will start at defensive tackle alongside Osa Odighizuwa in the Cowboys' regular-season opener against the Eagles on Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Clark was packaged with two first-round picks as part of the Packers' acquisition of Micah Parsons (back) from the Cowboys on Aug. 28. With Mazi Smith (coach's decision) a healthy scratch, Clark should see a heavy dose of defensive snaps in his Dallas debut and will be responsible for plugging up running lanes and limiting Saquon Barkley's impact.

Sanders, Javonte Williams and FB Hunter Luepke will serve as the Cowboys' backfield options Thursday in Philadelphia with rookie Jayden Blue (coach's decision) inactive, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Sanders and company thus won't have to yield reps to Blue, a rookie fifth-round pick, to begin the season, but ultimately the breakdown of reps between Sanders, Williams and Luepke remains to be seen. In his only appearance of the preseason, Sanders mustered 15 yards on seven carries, and he's coming off a career-low 205 rushing yards in 11 regular-season games with the Panthers in 2024, so he doesn't seem to have much fantasy utility unless he receives a significant number of touches.

Okoronkwo (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Cowboys.

Okoronkwo was able to make the Eagles' 53-man roster after being cut by the Browns in late June. The 2018 fifth-rounder will join fellow linebacker Azeez Ojulari (coach's decision) in street clothes for Thursday's contest while Joshua Uche and Patrick Johnson serve in rotational roles behind Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Okoronkwo's next chance to makes his Eagles' regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Ojulari (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against Dallas.

Ojulari will be in street clothes for the Eagles' regular-season opener while Joshua Uche and Patrick Johnson serve in a rotational role at outside linebacker behind Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith. Ojulari signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in March after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Giants. He started in five of 11 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 28 tackles (12 solo), including 6.0 sacks, and one fumble recovery.

Pierce (groin) is not listed on the Colts' Week 1 injury report.

Pierce dealt with a groin issue last month, but is practicing without restrictions and poised to play in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dolphins. The 2022 second-rounder finished the 2024 campaign with career highs in receiving yards (824) and touchdowns (seven) on 37 catches across 16 games. Looking ahead, Pierce is slated to start the season as a key cog in a Colts pass-catching corps that also features fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, along with TE Tyler Warren, a group that will now be working with Daniel Jones, the team's new QB1.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Eagles.

The 2023 first-rounder started in all 17 regular-season games last year, but he was in jeopardy of not making the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. While he ultimately made the cut, Smith will be a healthy scratch Thursday, with Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 14 being his next chance to play. Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia will serve in a rotational role at defensive tackle behind starters Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark.

Witherspoon did not participate in Thursday's practice due to a knee injury, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Witherspoon may have picked up the injury during Wednesday's practice session. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but his practice participation Friday will provide clarity on his chances of playing in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Texans in Los Angeles. Cobie Durant, Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes would be the top candidates to start at outside corner opposite Darious Williams if Witherspoon is not cleared to play in Week 1.

Blue (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Thursday's game at Philadelphia.

Blue emerged from the Cowboys' preseason finale with a low-ankle sprain, but it wasn't serious enough to cause the team to list him on its Week 1 injury report. Nonetheless, his pro debut will be delayed until at least Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 14, while Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders handle the backfield work Thursday.

Phillips (ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Phillips has opened the week with back-to-back limited practice sessions while working through a rib injury. His activity level during Friday's practice will determine whether he has an injury tag heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay. Clark played in 16 regular-season games (two starts) in 2024 and finished with 35 tackles (27 solo), five pass defenses (one interception), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.