NFL Player News

The Raiders are the only team that has been linked to Marshall since his release over two weeks ago. Marshall is entering his age-30 season and has been bogged down by injuries in recent seasons. Still, the last time he was fully healthy, Marshall proved to be a difference maker as an off-ball linebacker. Even after signing Vontaze Burfict, the Raiders still appear to have a need at linebacker.

Flowers has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but that didn’t appear to slow him early on. In one half of play, Flowers has caught five passes for 150 yards and one touchdown, and had receptions of 49 and 54 yards. We’ll see if Flowers can return in the second half, but if not, Lamar Jackson will have Rashod Bateman and Ja’Kobi Lane as his top two receivers the rest of the way.

Thomas exited in the second quarter against the Browns with a shoulder issue. He had three receptions prior to his exit and is questionable to return. Rookie Josh Cameron will see more opportunities while Thomas is out.

Sampson returned a kickoff and played on a third down play against the Jaguars before exiting in the first quarter. He left for the locker room with a knee injury and was promptly ruled out. Third-string running back Raheim Sanders will get more run with Sampson out.

Sampson went to the medical tent during the first quarter of the Browns’ Week 1 game against the Jaguars. He then headed to the locker room to be further evaluated for a knee injury and is questionable to return. Sampson is the Browns’ third-down/passing-down back; Quinshon Judkins will see more of those snaps while Sampson is out.

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.