NFL Player News

Jefferson will act as the Rams' No. 1 receiver for the season opener against the Seahawks after Cooper Kupp (hamstring) was ruled out for the contest, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Atlantic reports.

After his latest setback with his injured hamstring, Kupp will sit out Week 1 and could be in store for a move to injured reserve, which would keep him sidelined through the Rams' first four games. Jefferson put up a pedestrian 21-342-2 receiving line over an eight-game stretch that covered most of Krupp's absence in 2022, albeit without Matthew Stafford at quarterback for nearly the entire period. Despite the increased involvement he's likely to see in the passing game Sunday, Jefferson doesn't necessarily shape up as a must-start fantasy option against a capable Seahawks secondary.

Hodge (ankle) was a limited participant at the Falcons' practice Wednesday, Scott Bair of the team's official website reports.

Hodge was a non-participant to open the week, so Wednesday's limited practice opens the door for him to be active Sunday versus the Panthers. The wide receiver is expected to operate as an option out of the slot once healthy.

Smith-Njigba (wrist) practiced fully Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Smith-Njigba has made a speedy recovery following an Aug. 24 procedure to repair a slight fracture in his right wrist. He returned to practice five days after having the procedure, and now a little more than a week later, he was able to handle every available rep in Seattle's first official Week 1 session. The rookie first-round pick thus is slated to be Seattle's No. 3 wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett this Sunday against the Rams.

Head coach Sean McVay acknowledged Wednesday that Kupp's (hamstring) timetable for a return has yet to be determined, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Kupp has already been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Seahawks as he continues to deal with "some soft-tissue stuff," per McVay. Beyond Week 1, the star wideout's status is unclear, with McVay suggesting that Kupp could be out for "a couple weeks" or a candidate for injured reserve, which would keep Kupp out for at least four games. For however long Kupp is sidelined, Van Jefferson is expected to serve as the Rams' No. 1 wideout, with Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua also in the mix to see added snaps, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic.

Carter (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

It's a new issue for Carter, whose status for Week 1 now appears to be in jeopardy. If the vet misses any time, Las Vegas will probably lean that much harder on Hunter Renfrow to run out of the slot.

Evans (groin) wasn't listed on the Buccaneers' first Week 1 injury report Wednesday.

Tampa Bay held Evans out of the team's exhibition finale due to a groin injury, which appears to be behind him considering his absence from Wednesday's injury report. There's a lingering deadline of Saturday for Evans and the Buccaneers to reach an agreement on a contract extension, as his current deal has three void years starting in 2024. If nothing emerges from those talks, he could be playing his 10th and final campaign with the team this fall.

McCloud (wrist) has been cleared to practice and was a limited participant Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

A prior report suggested McCloud would be out for about two months after breaking his wrist in practice in early August, but he seems to be well ahead of schedule in his recovery and might even be able to play Week 1 at Pittsburgh. If so, he'll likely work as San Francisco's fourth or fifth receiver and might get a couple return chances on special teams.

Douglas (shoulder) isn't listed on the Patriots' Week 1 injury report released Wednesday.

The rookie sixth-round pick was one of New England's summer standouts and is now expected to begin the regular season somewhere between third and fifth in the pecking order at wide receiver. Even if he's a backup initially, Douglas could get his shot in a top-three role soon enough, given that New England's trio of veteran wideouts -- JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne -- is neither formidable nor reliable.

Milne (groin) did not practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game versus Arizona.

Milne has been dealing with a groin injury for nearly two weeks now, and his status for Week 1 appears to be in jeopardy at this point. If he were forced to sit out, one of Antonio Gibson, Byron Pringle or Jahan Dotson would likely take over punt-return duties.

Waddle was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to an oblique injury, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Per David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Waddle previously indicated that he expected to play in Week 1, and the wideout's participation in Wednesday's practice bodes well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Chargers. Waddle will presumably need to practice fully by Friday, however, in order to head into the weekend minus an injury designation.