NFL Player News

Coach Matt LaFleur has ruled out Watson (hamstring) for Sunday's game at Chicago, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Prior to the Packers posting their first Week 1 injury report Wednesday, there was no indication Watson was dealing with a health concern. After not practicing at all this week, though, the second-year pro won't be available for the season opener, and LaFleur even told Wood on Friday that Watson's hamstring injury will be a "week-to-week" thing. Meanwhile, fellow wide receiver Romeo Doubs (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday after logging back-to-back limited sessions to wrap up the week, meaning quarterback Jordan Love could have one of his top two WRs in Week 1. Watson's absence will open up targets for the likes of Jayden Reed, Malik Heath, Samori Toure and Dontayvion Wicks.

Coach Sean McVay said Friday that there's a chance Kupp (hamstring) could be placed on injured reserve, Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network reports.

The timing of the transaction will be key for any timetable for Kupp's potential return to action. If the Rams make the move Friday or Saturday, he'll need to be sidelined for at least the first four games of the campaign. Beyond Week 1, the same four-game requirement to return applies. In any case, it appears Kupp is in danger of missing time beyond Sunday's game at Seattle due to the hamstring injury that has followed him since the start of August and that he aggravated last week. As long as Kupp is out, L.A. will rely on Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Puka Nacua, Ben Skowronek and Demarcus Robinson at wide receiver.

Robinson (knee) is doubtful for Sunday's game against Dallas, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

The Giants don't need to rush the 2022 second-round pick back into action after an ACL tear in November, as depth at wide receiver is one thing they definitely have. What they don't have is a top-notch guy, instead hoping to get it done with Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, Sterling Shepard and (eventually) Robinson.

Brown (hamstring) is practicing Friday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Brown has been limited in practice all week but is on track to play Sunday against the Commanders. The veteran speedster is the overwhelming favorite to pace Arizona in targets, but the quality of those looks is a major question, with either Joshua Dobbs or rookie Clayton Tune starting at quarterback. Brown is tough to trust for fantasy purposes.

McLaurin (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Arizona.

McLaurin's upgrade to full practice participation Thursday put him on track to play, and we now have confirmation he'll be active less than three weeks after injuring his toe in a preseason game. He starts his season with a great matchup against one of the least experienced CB groups in the league, though the Cardinals do have good safeties and are arguably even more exploitable up front against the run.

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

A key special-teams contributor and backup wideout, Hodge was limited in Wednesday's practice before being upgraded to full Thursday and Friday.

Higgins and the Bengals are "not close" on a long-term contract extension, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Unless something "shocking" happens in the next 24 hours, Higgins is not expected to have a new deal prior to Week 1. Higgins has already stated he plans to play with or without a new deal as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Higgins is not listed on the injury report and will bookend Ja'Marr Chase against the Browns on Sunday.

Shenault is expected to play more offensive snaps with DJ Chark (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Adam Thielen (ankle) is also less than 100 percent and listed as questionable for Week 1, which could lead to Terrace Marshall and rookie Jonathan Mingo soaking up most of the wideout snaps. Shenault has been mentioned as a lite version of Deebo Samuel by the new Panthers coaching staff, but it would be unwise to expect a big box score out of the 2020 second-rounder in his temporary role as the team's third or fourth receiver.

Doubs (hamstring) is participating in practice Friday, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Doubs was limited in Thursday's practice, and while the extent of his participation Friday has yet to be revealed, it's still an encouraging sign that he's practicing in any capacity two days before Sunday's season opener against the Bears. He's definitively ahead of fellow wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) in the recovery process, as Watson has been unable to practice all week and was stretching on the side Friday. If Doubs dresses and Watson sits Sunday, Doubs would be in line to work as the top target for quarterback Jordan Love in Week 1.

Watson (hamstring) is present at Friday's practice but is stretching on the side rather than with teammates, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

He missed practice the past two days and will either be a non-participant or limited participant Friday. Fellow wideout Romeo Doubs (hamstring) has a better chance to play Sunday against the Bears, as he was a limited participant Thursday and reportedly is set to practice again Friday.