NFL Player News

The coaching staff lost faith in Booker last season after three fumbles on just 21 offensive touches. Marcus Sherels should take over as the primary kickoff returner with Percy Harvin’s offensive snaps due to increase.

Schefter added Brown will miss four to six weeks with the high ankle sprain he sustained on Wednesday night against the Seahawks. It could be much longer than that before Brown is back to full health and operating as the Patriots’ alpha WR1. For now, Mack Hollins will slide into three-receiver sets and Romeo Doubs — who didn’t catch any of his three targets against Seattle — will likely function as Drake Maye’s top option. Demario Douglas could be an interesting add in deeper formats after leading the team with seven targets in Week 1.

We knew earlier this week that both Penix (knee) and Tagovailoa (back) would be sidelined, and that Cooper Rush would start. EDGE Za’Darius Smith was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, but he will suit up for this one. Christian Harris, who had been a favorite to start at inside linebacker, is a healthy inactive, which means rookies Kendal Daniels or Harold Perkins Jr. will see extended run.

It was trending this way after Porter Jr. missed all of training camp with a back injury; however, the Steelers had held out hope that the 26-year-old would be able to return to the field for Week 1. Unfortunately, it sounds like the issue preventing him from being on the field may be more about a new contract than his back. The Steelers will likely turn to Asante Samuel Jr. to take Porter Jr.'s role, and it might matter more if the Falcons weren’t starting Cooper Rush at quarterback. The Steelers’ other inactives are QB Drew Allar, QB Will Howard, OG Gennings Dunker, DL Kevin Jobity Jr., and DL Gabriel Rubio.

Allen entered the weekend questionable with a hip injury. With some limited practices leading up to gameday, Allen is declared active and should be involved on passing downs for the Jaguars. His potential receiving role dampens Bhayshul Tuten’s upside against the Browns. Jaguars declared QB Quinn Ewers, OL Daniel Faalele, S Jalen Huskey, TE Tanner Koziol, DE Bryan Thomas Jr., and DE Wesley Williams inactive for Week 1 against the Browns.

The Bengals would obviously prefer Stewart to be out there vs. the Bucs, but it’s an otherwise quiet list for the opener.

There’s nothing too surprising here. Ajiake was the only player carrying an injury designation heading into the weekend, but after popping up as a DNP on Friday, it was assumed he would be sidelined for the season opener. The Colts are set to play host to the Ravens in what will be Daniel Jones’ first game back since he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14 last season.

Sanders, who worked through a lingering ankle injury this offseason, won’t suit up for the team’s season opener. That leaves Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble as the Panthers’ top two tight ends against Chicago. Waller will be a touchdown-dependent TE2 option who probably won’t run many routes in the run-first Carolina offense. Tremble should remain on waiver wires.

He was ruled out on Friday and the only person who made it to Tennessee’s final injury report of the week. The healthy scratches here are RB Nick Singleton, LB Owen Pappoe, CB Jaylon Jones, G Atonio Mafi, T Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and DT Jackie Marshall.

Ponds had a doubtful status despite three limited practices this week and looks to be questionable for Week 2, when he’ll again try to make his NFL Debut. Also inactive for the Jets are: KR Kene Nwangwu (back), K Blake Grupe, LB Trevin Wallace and ED Joseph Ossai (foot.) Ossai is regarded as week-to-week and Nwangwu’s back was a surprise Friday listing on the injury report.

Walker (groin) entered the weekend with a questionable tag, but will be held out of the season opener, while both Madubuike and Buchanan were ruled out on Friday. The Ravens enter Week 1 at near full strength as they prepare to usher in the Jesse Minter era in Baltimore after being led by former head coach John Harbaugh the previous 19 seasons.