NFL Player News

Noel could see an expanded opportunity Sunday against the Rams, as both Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are dealing with hamstring injuries, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Noel could work in the slot if Kirk sits out, while fellow Iowa State rookie Jayden Higgins starts on the outside opposite Nico Collins. If Berrios doesn't play, Noel could also add punt return responsibilities to his ledger. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Kirk is expected to miss 1-2 weeks as a result of his hamstring injury.

Johnson (calf/groin) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice estimate.

Johnson was forced to sit out all of training camp and the preseason due to a lingering groin injury, so it's encouraging to see him 'limited' as he works to gain clearance for Week 1. The Pro Bowl cornerback will have two more chances to upgrade his activity level ahead of Monday night's home opener against the Vikings.

Edwards (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's estimated injury report.

Edwards will have two more chances to upgrade his activity level ahead of Monday's regular-season opener at home against the Vikings. It's unclear if his current hamstring injury is the same soft-tissue lower-body issue that forced him to miss time earlier in training camp. If healthy, Edwards is expected to handle a starting role in Chicago's linebacker corps Week 1.

Wicks (calf) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Wicks is one of three Packers wide receivers to operate with a cap on his reps Thursday, the others being Jayden Reed (foot) and Savion Williams (hamstring). Reed actually returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday as he tends to a Jones fracture in his left foot, which has left his status up in the air for Week 1. In the end, Friday's injury report will provide a sense of each players' odds to suit up Sunday against the Lions, though an absent Reed and/or Williams could hand Wicks a higher target share than expected to begin the campaign.

Otton (groin) practiced in full Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Following Wednesday's capped session with what officially was termed a groin injury, Otton was able to handle every practice rep one day later, setting him up to serve his usual function as the Buccaneers' No. 1 TE on Sunday in Atlanta. In two games against the Falcons last season, he combined for 12 catches (on 14 targets) for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Hill (oblique) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has stated that he expects Hill to suit up Week 1, but the veteran wideout will only have one more chance to upgrade to full participation ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Colts. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday he and Hill are "good" entering Week 1, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, downplaying offseason concerns about their relationship by saying "people might've blown it out of proportion." If there was once any tension between the two after Hill pulled himself out of the 2024 regular-season finale early, Tagovailoa said "we've worked on it, and I think that conversation is dead now."

Kirk is dealing with a strained hamstring that is expected to sideline him for at least Sunday's season opener versus the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Official confirmation of Kirk's status will arrive when the Texans post their injury report Friday, but Schefter suggests that the wideout could miss time beyond this weekend, with one source estimating that his hamstring strain could be a two-week injury. In such a scenario, rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel as well as Xavier Hutchinson would be in line for added opportunities behind top target Nico Collins.

Brown (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Brown has been limited in both of the Commanders' first two Week 1 sessions, so he may need to upgrade to full participation Friday to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Giants. The 29-year-old projects to open the season as the Commanders' No. 3 wideout behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, a role that may not translate to consistent target volume on a weekly basis.

Flournoy was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's game against the Eagles.

If Flournoy suits up for Thursday's season opener, he could contribute on special teams and provide depth at wide receiver. Flournoy had just 10 catches for 102 yards in 11 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024.

Alexander (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner reports.

Alexander was sidelined by a knee injury from Aug. 9 until Wednesday, when he practiced in a limited capacity. It's a great sign for the veteran cornerback that he managed to shed those limitations the next day. Alexander's poised to make his Ravens debut in primetime against the Bills on SNF.