NFL Player News

Love (ankle) remained a limited practice participant Thursday, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Love has been tending to a high-ankle sprain since preseason Week 1, and while he displayed small signs of progress in recent weeks, he finally has been able to log back-to-back capped sessions to begin prep for the regular-season opener. Friday's injury report will reveal his chances to suit up for Sunday's game at the Chargers, with the range of possibilities going from full clearance to getting ruled out. More than likely, the Cardinals will list Love as questionable for Week 1 action. If Love is inhibited or sidelined Sunday, Tyler Allgeier would be in line to lead Arizona's backfield, with Bam Knight on hand for most of the remaining RB reps.

Tagovailoa (oblique) is considered day-to-day due to the strained oblique that he suffered during Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.

Tagovailoa went to the ground during individual drills Thursday and then grabbed at his back after getting to his feet. Subsequently, he missed the rest of the session while reserve QB Cooper Rush handled all the reps with the first-team offense. Tagovailoa officially was a limited participant in the Falcons' second practice of Week 1 prep, and the potential now exists for him to join Michael Penix (knee) in street clothes this weekend. The team may make a decision on Tagovailoa's status as soon as Friday's injury report, and if he's ruled out, Rush would be in line to direct Atlanta's offense Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Stowers (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Stowers emerged from preseason Week 2 with a hamstring injury, which sidelined him until this Wednesday. So far during Week 1 prep, the rookie second-round pick has logged back-to-back capped sessions, but even if he's cleared of his health concern ahead of the Eagles' season opener against the Commanders this Sunday, there's a chance he's a healthy scratch, as Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com reported on Aug. 26. In such a scenario, Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins would be the available tight ends behind starter Dallas Goedert.

Bowers (knee) remained a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

Head coach Klint Kubiak has yet to officially rule Bowers out for Sunday's season opener versus the Dolphins, but the standout tight end is fully expected to be sidelined for Week 1 -- and likely, additional games beyond that -- after Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Bowers underwent a meniscus trim procedure Tuesday. Though the previous report indicated that Bowers is expected to miss "a game or two," Schefter clarified Thursday in an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that that timeline is coming from the tight end's camp and may be overly optimistic. For however long Bowers is sidelined, Michael Mayer is expected to take on an expanded role in the passing game as the Raiders' top tight end, and starting wideouts Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor also will have clearer paths to elevated target counts.

Mitchell (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The Chargers put a cap on Mitchell's reps for a second straight day, but his ability to practice in any capacity on consecutive days to kick off Week 1 prep is an encouraging sign for his chances of playing in Sunday's season opener versus the Cardinals. If he's cleared to play against Arizona, Mitchell would likely be in line for a complementary role behind lead back Omarion Hampton.

Tucker (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

With days of signing a new one-year contract with the Buccaneers on Aug. 30, Tucker wasn't practicing due to an undisclosed health concern, which was revealed to be a knee injury when he went down as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report. His ability to mix back into at least individual drills is a positive sign ahead of Sunday's visit to Cincinnati, but Friday's report will unveil whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for that contest.

Mims (foot) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Mims sustained a foot contusion in the Broncos' Aug. 28 preseason finale against the Vikings, but after having no limitations in the team's first official practice of the regular season, he'll be ready to go for the opener Monday in Kansas City. On the Broncos' unofficial depth chart, Mims is listed as a starting receiver along with Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, though second-year wideout Pat Bryant drew plenty of positive buzz during training camp and the preseason and could push Mims for No. 3 duties.

Croskey-Merritt (groin) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Croskey-Merritt has been tending to a lower-body injury since picking it up during an Aug. 22 practice. He's been back on the field since Sept. 1 but hasn't been able to do enough yet to be considered a full participant. Friday's practice report may provide a sense of Croskey-Merritt's odds to suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener at Philadelphia.

Allen (hip) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Allen missed the second half of training camp due to what the Jaguars had previously labeled as a soft-tissue injury before he was listed with a hip issue when the team released its first Week 1 injury report Wednesday. The 22-year-old remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, but he was able to go through individual drills during the open portion of Thursday's session, per Rachel Phillips of First Coast News. Allen's level of activity was enough for him to get upgraded to limited participation, but he may still need to put in a full practice Friday to have a realistic shot at playing in Sunday's season opener versus the Browns. When available, Allen projects to serve as the Jaguars' top passing-down back, though Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez will both be prioritized ahead of him on the ground.

McMillan (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

McMillan has been tending to a knee injury since early August, a scenario that sidelined him for the entire preseason slate. With back-to-back capped sessions under his belt, he still has some work to do to make himself available for Sunday's game at Cincinnati. Friday's practice report will reveal if McMillan enters the weekend with a designation ahead of that matchup.