NFL Player News

Higgins (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Patriots.

After being added to the Bengals' injury report Thursday as limited with a hamstring issue, Higgins didn't practice Friday and was deemed doubtful for Sunday's contest. With Higgins unavailable, some combination of Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, Charlie Jones and Jermaine Burton are positioned to see added work versus New England alongside Ja'Marr Chase (illness), who is listed as active, but figures to have his Week 1 workload somewhat limited. Higgins will target a potential return to action Sept. 15 against the Chiefs.

Perry (hand) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Perry wasn't included on the Saints' first Week 1 injury report Wednesday, but a hand injury kept him out of drills entirely the next two days, resulting in a questionable designation ahead of the weekend. Per Hendrix, Perry wasn't seen during warmups, which signaled that he may not be available, and such an outcome has come to pass. With Perry sidelined, Cedrick Wilson should be the primary No. 3 WR for New Orleans behind starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

Allen (heel) is listed as active Sunday against the Titans.

On Aug. 28, Bears GM Ryan Poles relayed to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com that Allen was dealing with discomfort in his foot, but the expectation at the time was that the veteran wide receiver would be available Week 1. Allen kicked off this week with back-to-back limited showings due to a listed heel injury, but despite progressing to a full session Friday, he entered the weekend as questionable to play Sunday. Now that his status is confirmed, he'll serve as one of Chicago's top pass catchers for rookie QB Caleb Williams along with fellow WRs DJ Moore and Rome Odunze and TE Cole Kmet.

Hill is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Earlier Sunday, the Dolphins announced that Hill was pulled over in his vehicle about one block from Hard Rock Stadium and briefly detained by police before being released. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Hill was cited for reckless driving, but the incident won't prevent the star wideout from suiting up in the Dolphins' season opener. Hill also contended with a thumb injury for much of the second half of August, but that's not expected to be a concern either in Week 1 after he logged full practices Wednesday through Friday.

Chase (illness) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Chase is not expected to reach agreement with the Bengals on a contract extension prior to Sunday's season opener, but that didn't deter Cincinnati from making the wideout active for Week 1. After being listed as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday for non-injury related/rest reasons, Chase practiced fully Friday and labeled himself as a "game-time decision" for Sunday. The wideout was subsequently listed with an illness on Saturday's updated injury report, but with his active status for Sunday's contest ultimately confirmed, Chase is evidently feeling well enough to be in a position to contribute. However, Chase's workload could be modified, as the Bengals may be inclined to ease him back into the mix. Meanwhile, fellow receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is inactive, which creates added opportunities versus New England for some combination of Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, Charlie Jones and Jermaine Burton.

Hill was detained by police for a driving violation outside of Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, but his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that the receiver will suit up and play in the Dolphins' season opener against the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In a situation seemingly similar to that of professional golfer Scottie Scheffler during this year's PGA Championship, Hill was spotted in handcuffs outside of his home stadium, but it won't stop him from being available for the Week 1 matchup.

The 49ers have an expectation that Pearsall (chest) will be able to play when first eligible to return from the reserve/non-football injury list Week 5, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Pearsall sustained a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery last Saturday and was discharged from the hospital one day later before the 49ers placed him on reserve/NFI on Labor Day. The rookie first-round pick returned to team facilities Tuesday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan told David Lombardi of The Athletic on Friday that Pearsall will rest up for about one week before beginning the rehab process in earnest. San Francisco hosts the Cardinals in Week 5 on Oct. 6, which gives Pearsall roughly one month to get back to full health. Jauan Jennings will handle the No. 3 receiver role behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk during Pearsall's absence.

Chase (rest/illness) remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, but he showed improvement late Saturday and could be available for the Bengals' season opener, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Though Chase is still seeking a long-term contract extension with the Bengals, he ended his "hold-in" at practice and took part in workouts as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading to full activity Friday. He termed himself as a game-time decision following Friday's practice before he woke up ill Saturday, adding another potential complication to his availability leading into the season opener. However, with Chase's condition taking a turn for the better later Saturday, the wideout may be trending toward playing Sunday. Fowler notes that the Bengals have included Chase in their game plan this week, though the team could make some adjustments in the event he sits out. Further clarity on Chase's status won't arrive until Cincinnati releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, and even if he suits up, he could be subject to a more limited snap count than he typically handles after he missed all of training camp and the preseason.

Lockett (thigh) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Even though Lockett was limited during practices Wednesday and Thursday, head coach Mike Macdonald had already intimated that the wideout was on track to play Sunday. Lockett's condition apparently hasn't taken a turn for the worse in the two days after he turned in a full practice Friday, so expect him to be formally cleared when the Seahawks release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. DK Metcalf and Lockett will once again sit atop the depth chart at receiver for the Seahawks entering the 2024 season, but 2023 first-round pick and No. 3 wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba is expected to take on a larger role in his second NFL campaign and could wind up cutting into Lockett's target share.

Allen (heel) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's game against Tennessee, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has already said that he expects the veteran wideout to make his team debut Sunday, which comes as little surprise after Allen logged a full practice Friday following a pair of limited sessions to begin the week. With DJ Moore lined up to be Chicago's No. 1 wideout and promising rookie Rome Odunze also in the fold, Allen will look to establish a rapport with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams in what will be the USC product's NFL debut.