NFL Player News

Pierce (heel) will not carry an injury designation into Sunday's season opener against the Ravens.

Pierce was a limited practice participant throughout the week, never quite upgrading to full, and per Stephen Holder of The Athletic, it's unclear if he will handle a full workload. However, the Colts have at least left no doubt that Pierce will play this Sunday. Any limitations could mean more work for Josh Downs, Keenan Allen and/or Ashton Dulin.

Odunze (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Odunze suffered a right leg injury in practice last Thursday, Sept. 3, but after logging three straight limited sessions this week, he has a chance to suit up Week 1. His status for Sunday will be clarified about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and assuming he's able to suit up, as he relayed to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic on Friday, Odunze and Luther Burden will be the top wide receivers available to QB Caleb Williams.

Higgins (heel) will play in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay after logging full practices Wednesday through Friday.

Ja'Marr Chase (knee) also is cleared to play, giving Joe Burrow plenty of firepower for the regular-season opener. Higgins seemed to stay healthy throughout spring and summer before missing a few practices with a heel contusion last week. He should be ready for his usual role come Sunday.

Chase (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Chase was a full practice participant Wednesday and Thursday before resting Friday, with the Bengals citing 'rest' rather than his knee as the reason for Friday's absence. He suffered a minor knee hyperextension Aug. 25 and returned to practice within two weeks. Chase should be ready for his usual role this Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Egbuka (toe) is "full go" ahead of Sunday's contest in Cincinnati, per River Wells of SI.com, and the second-year wide receiver doesn't have a designation for Week 1 action.

Egbuka initially sustained a sprained toe during an Aug. 12 practice that sidelined him until this week, but his ability to handle every practice rep Wednesday through Friday has him in the clear for Sunday. With numerous injuries affecting the Buccaneers' receiving corps last season, he still put up a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in 17 regular-season games as a rookie. Considering Mike Evans is out of the picture, Egbuka should be the team's featured WR in a matchup against the Bengals that should produce plenty of splash plays.

Branch (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Branch opened Week 1 prep with back-to-back limited sessions due to a hamstring injury, but a full session Friday has him in the clear to make his pro debut this weekend. It's unclear what kind of role can be expected of the rookie third-round pick on offense as he jostles for snaps behind position mates Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, but Branch at least should get on the field as a punt returner.

Browns coach Todd Monken said Friday that Concepcion will handle all of the punt returns Sunday against Jacksonville, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Concepcion also figures to be one of the team's top offensive weapons, locked in for a top-three role alongside presumed starters Jerry Jeudy and Denzel Boston. The Browns also have TE Harold Fannin and RBs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the mix for short-area targets, but Monken seems intent on getting the ball into Concepcion's hands, one way or another.

McMillan (knee) is doubtful for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

McMillan reportedly looked good at practice earlier this week, but the Bucs have been listing him as a limited participant and apparently don't expect a contribution this Sunday. Continued practice participation does hint at a chance to be back for Week 2 against Cleveland. With McMillan likely inactive this week, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka (toe) should get plenty of snaps, with Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst also candidates for routes/targets.

Odunze (calf) will practice Friday, and the training staff will assess him afterward before deciding next steps, Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune reports.

Odunze was limited the previous two days, and Friday's session gives him one last chance to upgrade to full participation (or at least make a positive impression on coaches and the training staff). Coach Ben Johnson didn't mention expectations for the extent of Odunze's participation Friday. If Odunze ends up inactive Sunday at Carolina, the Bears will be left with a shaky WR group alongside Luther Burden. The top alternatives are Kalif Raymond, rookie Zavion Thomas and Jahdae Walker.

The Patriots are expected to place Brown (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Patriots needed less than 48 hours to decide that Brown will be out for at least four games. The earliest he could return from IR would be Week 6, but the Patriots' decision to deactivate Brown suggests he may not be ready by then. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas took most of the snaps at receiver after Brown suffered a right high-ankle sprain in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss at Seattle.