NFL Player News

Thielen (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thielen fit in limited practice sessions Wednesday and Friday around an absence from practice Thursday, resulting in him taking a questionable designation into the weekend. The Panthers ultimately were confident enough in Thielen's health to roll him out Week 1, and even though he's entering the season as Carolina's nominal No. 1 wideout, he could be even busier in his team debut than initially anticipated. Carolina is without one of its other starting receivers in DJ Chark (hamstring) for the season opener, and his absence could result in Thielen drawing an extra target or two from rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

Hodge (ankle) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

After being limited Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Hodge logged back-to-back full sessions to end the week. However, the depth wideout still received a questionable tag. It's not surprising to see the veteran cleared, but he'll presumably play the majority of his snaps on special teams while Drake London, Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller handle most of the wideout snaps.

Brown (hamstring) is listed as active Sunday at Washington, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Brown now has dealt with a hamstring injury ahead of each of the last three campaigns. This time around, he was limited in practice during the entirety of Week 1 prep, but the issue won't impact his availability for the season opener. He'll thus serve as one of the top pass catchers for expected starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs, which isn't exactly an ideal situation considering the signal-caller only joined the team Aug. 24. In 2022, Brown put together a 67-709-3 line on 107 targets in 12 games while working with four different QBs.

Boutte may be in store for added snaps Sunday against the Eagles with DeVante Parker (knee) listed as questionable for the contest but likely to sit out the season opener, Karen Guregian of The Springfield Republican reports.

JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne should be locked in as the Patriots' primary receivers in two-wideout sets sans Parker, but Boutte and fellow rookie Demario Douglas should see extra reps in three-wide sets. Meanwhile, Mike Gesicki could also get a bump in playing time in the likelihood that New England makes more use of two-tight-end formations with Parker out of the lineup. Though Douglas drew the more rave reviews of the two rookies during training camp and the preseason, the 6-foot, 195-pound Boutte is more suited to play snaps on the perimeter and may be more capable of filling Parker's role as New England's top downfield threat.

Brown (hamstring) is listed as questionable but is expected to suit up Sunday versus Washington, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Both Brown and tight end Zach Ertz (knee) were given designations heading into the weekend, but the two are both trending toward suiting up in the season opener, which is notable news for an offense that should need all the help it can get. Joshua Dobbs is expected to get the nod at quarterback over Clayton Tune in Week 1, though the Cardinals haven't yet officially named a starter. Confirmation on the availability of Brown and Ertz should arrive when the Cardinals release their inactive list about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Jeudy (hamstring), who is listed as questionable, isn't expected to suit up Sunday versus the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Broncos appear to be taking a cautious approach to Jeudy's recovery from a right hamstring injury suffered Aug. 24. After suffering the injury, he was off the practice field until this week, when he managed to return in a limited capacity. If Jeudy is indeed officially listed among Denver's inactives ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, Courtland Sutton will likely serve as Russell Wilson's top wide receiver, with rookie Marvin Mims operating as the No. 2 man. Brandon Johnson could step up in the No. 3 role, while Phillip Dorsett and Lil'Jordan Humphrey were elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's contest.

Doubs (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, is expected to suit up but may handle a limited snap count, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Doubs took the questionable designation into the weekend after sitting out Wednesday's practice before turning in limited sessions Thursday and Friday. With Christian Watson (hamstring) ruled out for Week 1, however, Doubs could be in a position to operate as Jordan Love's top pass catcher even if his snap total is limited. Beyond Doubs, Green Bay could have to lean more heavily than usual on running back Aaron Jones in the passing game, as well as rookies like wide receiver Jayden Reed and tight end Luke Musgrave. A final word on Doubs' status will come when the Packers release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Parker (knee) is listed as questionable but isn't expected to play in Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Official word on Parker's status won't arrive until the Patriots release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but barring a dramatic turnaround in his recovery from the knee injury, the wideout will sit out the season opener. As a result, the likes of Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte could see increased snaps at receiver alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne.

Thielen (ankle) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's season opener in Atlanta, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Thielen logged limited workloads at practice to begin and close the week, with an absence in the middle due to an ankle injury. If he does indeed get the green light ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, the veteran will be the clear No. 1 receiving option for Carolina, as fellow starting wideout DJ Chark (hamstring) has already been ruled out. Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall would presumably be next in the pecking order at receiver, while tight end Hayden Hurst could also take on a more pronounced role in the passing attack.

Dorsett was elevated from the Broncos' practice squad Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Dorsett signed with Denver's practice squad one day after being released by the Raiders on Aug. 29. He's joined by fellow wideout Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who was also elevated ahead of Week 1 action . Dorsett, a 2015 first-round pick out of Miami, appeared in 15 games for the Texans last season, when he registered 20 catches for 257 yards and a touchdown.