NFL Player News

Nabers' (knee) status for Sunday's game against the Cowboys remains "murky at best," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Nabers was able to practice without limitations during Week 1 prep, but he took a 'questionable' tag into the weekend after a week in which both he and head coach John Harbaugh were non-committal about the wide receiver's potential to play Sunday. Nabers himself told Evan Barnes of Newsday on Thursday that he had to weigh the long-term implications when he eventually returns from the torn ACL and meniscus that he suffered in his right knee Week 4 of last season. The Giants play on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, so if Nabers is listed as inactive, fantasy managers won't have many options to turn to for scoring purposes between SNF and MNF. New York brought two WRs (Braxton Berrios and Dalen Cambre) off its practice squad Saturday to join Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham, likely with a potential absence from Nabers in mind.

Darnold is nursing a glute injury rather than a hip issue and is expected to miss next Sunday's game against the Cardinals, but he could return to action Week 3 versus the Commanders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Darnold played just five snaps in Wednesday's 13-10 win over the Patriots before being removed from the game due to an apparent right hip injury. The Seahawks sent the quarterback in for an MRI and CT scan, and while an exact diagnosis of his injury wasn't provided by the team, head coach Mike Macdonald relayed that Darnold received favorable news from his medical tests. Drew Lock appears poised to start Week 2 while Darnold receives additional time to heal from the glute injury, but the Seahawks haven't closed the door on Darnold being ready to go for Week 3.

Brown, who was officially placed on injured reserve Saturday, is expected to miss about six weeks due to a right high-ankle sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Patriots deactivated Brown just three days after he sustained the injury in the third quarter of Wednesday's 13-10 loss to the Seahawks. Though recovery timelines for high-ankle sprains often range from 4-to-6 weeks, the Patriots quickly determined that Brown's injury is "a little more serious," which likely takes a return from IR in Week 6 when first eligible off the table. While their No. 1 wideout is sidelined until early November, the Patriots will have to lean more heavily on Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams as their primary receivers.

Stribling (ankle) is expected to miss at least one month after he was diagnosed Sunday with a deltoid sprain of his left ankle, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Stribling saw plenty of playing time early in his NFL debut during Thursday's 27-7 win over the Rams, drawing no targets but taking the field for 21 of the team's first 26 offensive snaps before going down with an injury. Initial tests ruled out an Achilles injury for Stribling, but the second-round rookie will still require some down time as a result of the ankle sprain. According to Rapoport, Stribling is seeking multiple medical opinions on his injury, and while surgery isn't yet planned, the 49ers haven't dismissed the possibility of the wideout needing an operation. The 49ers will likely hold off on placing Stribling on injured reserve until a decision is made on a treatment plan.

Penix (knee) will be out for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh but is targeting Week 2 or 3 for his 2026 debut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Atlanta will be down to its No. 3 quarterback for Week 1, as Cooper Rush -- despite dealing with back spasms -- will pick up the start against the Steelers while Penix and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) sit out. Penix didn't play in the preseason while completing his recovery from the torn ACL he sustained last November, but he took part in six 11-on-11 practices during training camp and was then a full participant in practices throughout Week 1 prep. If he remains free of setbacks while logging a full slate of practices during Week 2 prep, Penix could be the Falcons' choice to start in their next game Sept. 20 against the Panthers, regardless of whether Tagovailoa is available.

Rush reported improvement after experiencing back spasms Saturday and remains on track to start the Falcons' season opener Sunday versus the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Falcons didn't express much concern that the back issue would prevent Rush from playing Week 1, as he was never added to the injury report. Assuming Rush avoids any setbacks leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll direct the Atlanta offense with Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix (knee) having been ruled out for Week 1.

Smith (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Unless he experiences a setback leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Smith looks set to play through the shoulder issue that kept him from practicing Thursday and limited his participation Wednesday. With Jalon Walker (knee) out for the season and James Pearce suspended for the first eight games of the campaign, the Falcons will be counting on the 34-year-old Smith to serve as a key pass rusher.

Woods (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Panthers, is viewed as a game-time decision, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Bears have optimism that Woods will be able to play through his groin injury Sunday, but official word on his status won't arrive until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Woods isn't able to suit up, it would be another hit to an already depleted Chicago secondary that is without Coby Bryant (knee) and Kyler Gordon (calf).

Porter (back) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons but isn't expected to play, Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.

Porter spent the entirety of training camp and the preseason on the PUP list before being added to the 53-man roster Aug. 30. Though the cornerback was able to take a questionable tag into the weekend after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday through Friday, his 2026 debut looks as though it may have to wait until Week 2. In addition to working his way back from the back injury, Porter's standing with the Steelers is on shaky ground after the two sides were embroiled in a contract dispute for much of the summer. With Porter and Steelers unable to come to terms on an extension, Rapoport and Schefter relay that the 26-year-old could be a trade candidate.

Kamara (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Detroit, isn't in line to play in the season opener and is instead slated to make his 2026 debut Week 2 at Baltimore, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara departed a joint practice with the Cowboys on Aug. 18 early and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain that was expected to sideline him for one month. While he followed up back-to-back limited sessions to begin Week 1 prep with a full practice Friday, the Saints will exercise caution with the 10th-year pro and allow him another week to get healthier. In Kamara's anticipated absence Sunday, New Orleans will roll with Travis Etienne as its lead runner, with Kendre Miller and practice-squad call-up CJ Donaldson the other candidates for backfield reps.