NFL Player News

Marshall (back) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Atlanta, while fellow Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark (hamstring) has been ruled out.

Marshall missed two weeks of practice in mid-to-late August and was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday, but he'll be out there Sunday and quite possibly starting after the final injury report brought promising developments. In addition to Marshall's upgrade to full participation and no game designation, Chark's upcoming absence means there's not much competition on the roster for deep perimeter routes/targets. Rookie Jonathan Mingo is expected to spend a lot of time in the slot, and 33-year-old Adam Thielen (ankle) isn't exactly a burner even when he's fully healthy (rather than listed as questionable). There's a nice opportunity ahead for Marshall, Mingo and possibly Laviska Shenault -- even more so if Thielen joins Chark on the inactive list ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Thielen (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Thielen sandwiched limited practices Wednesday and Friday around a Thursday absence, after no report of any injury prior to this week. Fellow wide receiver DJ Chark (hamstring) is ruled out for Week 1 but suggested he'll be ready Week 2, while Terrace Marshall (back) is good to for for the opener after avoiding a designation on the final injury report. Rookie Jonathan Mingo and fourth-year pro Laviska Shenault are the only WRs on the Carolina roster that weren't listed on the report at all this week. Thielen may end up a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Mingo is slated to take on an expanded role in his NFL debut Sunday against the Falcons, as fellow wide receiver DJ Chark (hamstring) was ruled out Friday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Adam Thielen (ankle) is questionable, leaving Mingo as the top fully healthy wide receiver for the Panthers heading into Week 1. This will also be the first NFL start for rookie quarterback Bryce Young, whom the Panthers traded up to draft first overall in 2023 before selecting Mingo in the second round, 39th overall.

Chark (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Atlanta despite returning to practice Friday, Augusta Stone of the Panthers' official site reports.

Chark was a limited participant, reportedly working on the side, in his first practice since the third week of August. He did tell reporters Thursday that he felt good enough to play, but he also acknowledged the team might have him wait until Week 2 against New Orleans to make his Panthers regular-season debut. Fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 1, while Terrace Marshall (back) doesn't have an injury designation and likely will fill in for Chark as the team's downfield/perimeter threat.

Metchie (hamstring) remained sidelined for Friday's practice, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

That's a trio of missed practices this week for the sophomore wideout who missed his entire rookie season battling leukemia. Hamstring issues have been his downfall this year, dating back to the offseason. With Metchie likely out for Sunday's date with the Ravens, Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown and rookie Tank Dell should be locked into most of the wideout snaps.

Thielen (ankle) is dressed for Friday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

There was no report of any issue prior to Wednesday when Thielen was listed as a limited participant on Carolina's first injury report of the season. Concern grew Thursday when he was a non-participant, but his return Friday morning suggests the 33-year-old still hopes to play Sunday at Atlanta. DJ Chark (hamstring) and Terrace Marshall (back) also are on the Week 1 injury report, with Chark in particular appearing in danger of missing the season opener.

Chark (hamstring) looks "iffy' for Sunday against the Falcons after only doing side work during Friday's practice, according to Joe Person of The Athletic.

Chark told reporters he feels good enough to play but that the team is still deciding whether to suit him up Week 1 or wait until Week 2. An absence might free up a starting opportunity for Terrace Marshall, who is dealing with a back injury and was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Rookie Jonathan Mingo is the only one of Carolina's projected Top 4 wideouts not on the injury report, with Adam Thielen (ankle) limited Wednesday and then absent Thursday.

Beckham (ankle) looked "fine" to begin Friday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

OBJ was added to the injury report Thursday with the ankle issue, getting in a limited session, but it sounds like it was more precautionary or a rest day for the veteran wideout. Coming off a lost 2022 campaign and entering his age-31 season, Beckham could get a number of rest days this year. He appears fine for Sunday's contest against the Texans.

The Commanders placed Milne (groin) on injured reserve Friday, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

Milne continues to deal with a groin injury sustained during the preseason. He will have to miss at least Washington's first four games of the season before being eligible for a return designation. The 2021 seventh-round pick has yet to rack up 100 receiving yards in a single year.

Green did not log a snap during Thursday's 21-20 win over Kansas City.

Green secured the No. 5 spot on the depth chart coming out of the preseason, but it does not seem as if there is a role for him on offense or special teams despite the six-game suspension of Jameson Williams. However, it is possible that could change if the struggles of 33-year-old Marvin Jones, who logged over half of the offensive snaps, persist in the coming weeks.