NFL Player News

Ponds (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Tennessee, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Toward the end of training camp, there was optimism that Ponds would make his NFL regular-season debut against Tennessee. The rookie second-rounder was a limited participant in all three practices this week, but the doubtful tag indicates that he's likely not quite ready to return from a calf injury that he sustained in late July. If Ponds is ruled out for Week 1, the Jets would lose a special-teams asset and depth in the secondary behind starting corners Brandon Stephens, Jarvis Brownlee and Nahshon Wright.

Jones (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Jones has not practiced at all this week, so Friday's decision is not a surprise. The linebacker remains week-to-week with the back injury he suffered in late August. Trevis Gipson will likely start at weakside linebacker for the Panthers in Week 1.

Stewart (knee) is officially designated as doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Stewart downgraded to limited practice participation Thursday after managing a full practice Wednesday, and it looks like he's trending towards sitting out Week 1. If he can't go, rookie second-rounder Cashius Howell could see an increased share of snaps on the edge.

Nwangwu (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Nwangwu wasn't listed on the Jets' injury report until Friday as a DNP, indicating that he may have tweaked his back in a practice session. He wasn't expected to see much playing time on offense given that he's behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis on the depth chart. However, if Nwangwu is indeed ruled out for Week 1, then Isaiah Williams figures to operate at the Jets' top returner, with Davis also in the mix.

Patrick (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Patrick did not practice this week and subsequently will be unable to participate in Sunday's regular-season opener. The wide receiver has been dealing with a recent groin injury. It is unclear when Patrick will be able to return to the field and if additional time must be missed.

Ossai (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Ossai has been considered week-to-week since sustaining a foot injury in the Jets' Aug. 28 preseason finale against the Giants. Ossai was unable to practice in the week leading up to the regular-season opener, and it is unclear if the defensive end will be ready to to play in Week 2 against the Packers.

Donald had his roster exemption lifted by the NFL on Friday, per the league's transaction log.

After Donald came out of retirement and signed with the Rams on Aug. 30, the NFL granted the team a two-game roster exemption for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. While he didn't travel with the team for a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, he now will be eligible to make his first appearance since the 2023 season on Monday, Sept. 21, against the Giants.

Mitchell (hamstring) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

After logging limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, Mitchell got a full session in Friday and thus appears ready to go for Week 1. Mitchell is an intriguing option in an offense run by coordinator Mike McDaniel, but his injury slowed him for much of the past three weeks, so it's unclear exactly how he will slot in behind starter Omarion Hampton and fellow reserve Kimani Vidal.

The Packers released Melton on Friday.

Because Melton is a vested veteran and not subject to waivers at this point in the season, he's expected to sign back on Green Bay's practice squad, from which the team will be able to elevate him Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at Minnesota. Through three NFL campaigns, the wide receiver has posted a combined 28-416-2 line on 54 targets in 38 regular-season contests.

Stowers (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Commanders.

Stowers is about two-and-a-half weeks removed from picking up a hamstring injury, but his ability to log three straight limited sessions this week has put him in position to make his pro debut Sunday. Ultimately, his status will become known, one way or another, about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.