NFL Player News

Mayer appears lined up to take on a pronounced role as the Raiders' top tight end in Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins after Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday and is expected to be out for "a game or two," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bowers missed five games in 2025 due to a PCL injury and bone bruise in his left knee, and Mayer suited up in four of those contests and logged 90-plus-percent snap shares in all of them. In those four games, Mayer put together an 18-196-1 receiving line on 24 targets, a level of production that could make him an appealing lineup option in both DFS and season-long leagues in Week 1.

Bowers underwent a meniscus trim procedure Tuesday and is expected to miss "a game or two," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This is huge news just before the season gets underway, as one of the top tight ends in the league is now expected to miss regular-season time. Per Schefter, Bowers suffered a minor knee injury in camp that was diagnosed last week. He underwent a meniscus trim rather than a repair, which will speed up his time to return to the field. Michael Mayer projects to see a usage boost for however long Bowers is sidelined.

Bowers wasn't seen on the field during the open portion of Wednesday's practice, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Bowers remained healthy throughout training camp and the preseason after a lingering PCL injury and bone bruise in his knee sidelined him for five games in 2025, but he could be dealing with a new health concern leading up to Las Vegas' Week 1 matchup with the Dolphins. The Raiders will release their first injury report of the season later Wednesday, when an explanation behind Bowers' absence will be provided.

Legette (ankle) is not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.

Legette dealt with an ankle injury last month and was in a walking boot a little over two weeks ago, but he's past the issue and ready to go for the Panthers' season opener against Chicago on Sunday. Legette is expected to open the season as the WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Expect the Panthers to use plenty of multiple-tight-end sets after adding Darren Waller, so that could limit Legette's playing time.

Hubbard (hamstring) was not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.

Hubbard dealt with a hamstring injury last month but has been practicing since the calendar flipped to September. With Jonathon Brooks dealing with soreness in his groin for the past week and limited in practice, Hubbard looks like the frontrunner for carries and touches out of the Carolina backfield to open the season. He's shaping up as a low-end RB2 against Chicago on Sunday.

Tate (undisclosed) was in uniform and participating in drills during Wednesday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The rookie had been dealing with some stiffness late in the preseason but seems to be trending in the right direction as the Titans' season-opener approaches. Official word on whether Tate was a full or limited participant will come after the Titans release their practice report later Wednesday afternoon.

Brooks (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

There's now an official body part attached to Brooks' injury status after the Panthers were forced to clarify the running back's issue on the team's first official injury report of the season. Brooks has been dealing with "soreness" for more than a week, and the good news is that the problem is not in his surgically repaired knee. He was in full pads Wednesday, and a limited start to the week gives Brooks a good chance to play Sunday against the Bears. Chuba Hubbard is expected to open 2026 as the 1A to Brooks' 1B in the Carolina backfield.

Nabers (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Coach John Harbaugh said Nabers looks "ready to go," but the Giants are going to see how he feels throughout the practice week before declaring him in for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys. All signs continue to point to Nabers being out there versus Dallas for his first game action since tearing his ACL in Week 4 of last season.

Johnson (lower leg) isn't participating in Wednesday's practice, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Johnson has been a spectator for practices since Aug. 8, when he appeared to sustain a right leg injury during a 1-on-1 drill. Though he still has two more days to potentially fit in some on-field work prior to Sunday's game against the Texans, Johnson may be trending toward an absence in Week 1. If Johnson ends up missing the season opener, the Bills would have more snaps on passing downs available for lead back James Cook.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Wednesday that McCarthy will serve as the Vikings' third-string quarterback for Sunday's season opener versus the Packers.

After losing out in the battle with newcomer Kyler Murray for the starting job prior to the preseason opener, McCarthy will plummet all the way to third on the depth chart heading into Week 1, with Carson Wentz settling in as Murray's top backup. O'Connell said that he considers the No. 2 quarterback "a week-to-week thing," so McCarthy could leapfrog Wentz on the depth chart in future games depending on how he performs during practice. In any case, the fact that the 23-year-old McCarthy has to battle for the No. 2 job less than three years after being selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is an indiction Minnesota doesn't view him as its long-term solution under center.