NFL Player News

The Texans are optimistic that Noel (hamstring/finger) will be available for the team's regular-season opener against the Bills on Sunday, Sept. 13, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Noel was sidelined by a right pinkie injury that he sustained days before the start of training camp. He is now working through a strained hamstring and is training on the side during practice, though the Texans regard that particular injury as a minor setback and are expecting the 2025 third-rounder to suit up for Week 1. Noel is aiming to build off his rookie campaign, when he caught 26 passes (on 35 targets) for 292 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games while also contributing as a returner on punts and kickoffs.

Nabers (knee) logged reps in 11-on-11 drills while donning a red non-contact jersey during Monday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Previously, Nabers' hadn't worked in full-speed live team drills, but he expanded his workload to that context Monday for the first time since tearing the ACL in his right knee Week 4 of last season. It's a another step in the right direction for Nabers, but he presumably will need to stack days with 11-on-11 drills and also ditch the non-contact jersey before the Giants will consider allowing him to suit up in games.

Coach Sean McVay said Nacua (groin) may not practice this week, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

Nacua has been dealing with a minor groin injury since last Tuesday, which as of Thursday was clarified to be soreness in his psoas. He didn't make the trip to Kansas City for this past Saturday's preseason game, and if he doesn't mix into drills at all this week, either, he seemingly would be trending toward another absence this Saturday versus the Saints. In the end, though, having Nacua 100 percent for Week 1 against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10 is the key, so the Rams taking a cautious approach with him comes as no surprise

Waddle (leg) took part in Monday's practice, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Waddle exited practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5 due to muscle tightness in his leg and didn't mix back into drills before sitting out Friday's preseason game in Atlanta. Monday's appearance for the biggest newcomer to the Broncos offense this offseason is welcome news for QB Bo Nix and company, but it's unclear how much work Waddle was able to handle. Waddle's next chance for exhibition action if Fridays versus the Packers.

Nacua (groin) isn't taking part in Monday's practice, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Nacua made an early exit from practice last Tuesday due to minor groin soreness, which was clarified as discomfort in his psoas as of Thursday. At the time, coach Sean McVay told Greg Beacham of the Associated Press that Nacua was expected to return to practice "next week," but that won't be the case Monday. The Rams likely will continue to exercise caution with Nacua with the team's regular-season opener more than three weeks in the future.

Coach Robert Saleh said Tate (undisclosed) will be evaluated after taking a hard hit at Monday's practice, Ben Arthur of FoxSports.com reports.

After hooking up with QB Cam Ward on a fourth-and-8 during drills Monday, Tate was slow to get up following the aforementioned hit but was able to walk to the sideline under his own power with a member of the training staff at his side, Arthur reports. Per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, Saleh noted he feels "good about where he's at," and doesn't think there's concern "about concussions or anything," but upcoming evaluation will determine if Tate, the fourth overall pick in the 2026 Draft, requires any sort of stint off the practice field.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that he's unsure if Dell (knee) will play during the Texans' preseason slate, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. "With Tank, he's on his own plan," Ryans noted. "Whatever that entails, geared toward what's best for Tank Dell."

Dell didn't play in Friday's preseason game against the Chargers, which comes as no surprise because he's been limited to individual drills after missing the entire 2025 campaign following a December 2024 play in which he dislocated his left kneecap while also tearing the ACL and MCL in that knee. The Texans' next exhibition is Thursday versus the Raiders, and Houston opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Bills.

Lemon (hamstring) was spotted sprinting on the side at Monday's practice, EJ Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

This is the first sign of progress since Lemon initially started missing practices, along with Saturday's preseason contest at Baltimore, due to a hamstring issue. The rookie first-round pick's next chance for exhibition action before the regular season arrives this coming Saturday in New England.

Worthy (shoulder) participated in 7-on-7 drills Monday, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports.

Though Worthy is not yet back to full-team drills, his participation in 7-on-7 is still a step in the right direction. Worthy did not play in the preseason opener, and it's unclear if he'll suit up for any of the upcoming exhibitions as he works his way back to 100 percent from a shoulder injury. Getting back into 11-on-11 work will be the next big step for Worthy's progression.

Bell (knee) was limited to individual drills in his return to practice Monday, Alain Poupart of SI.com reports.

The Dolphins are getting Bell into the mix now that he is off the non-football injury list. It will be a ramp-up period for the rookie receiver out of Louisville who suffered a torn ACL late in his final collegiate season. Bell's impressive progress in his rehab seems to move up his timeline for a debut. If he continues to make strides, Bell will be a name to file away for the later rounds of best ball drafts or for waiver-wire watch lists in redraft formats.