NFL Player News

Colts GM Chris Ballard said Tuesday the "hope" is Pierce (ankle) will play in Week 1 against the Ravens.

Pierce was on the practice field Tuesday, but it's unclear if he's truly been unleashed for full team drills as he makes his way back from offseason ankle surgery. He missed most of training camp and didn't see any preseason action, but the Colts remain optimistic their No. 1 receiver will be in the lineup in 12 days against Baltimore. Indy has other injury concerns in its passing game, with Pierce, Josh Downs (calf) and Tyler Warren (groin) all dealing with injuries, while 34-year-old Keenan Allen isn't yet up to speed after signing with the team two weeks ago.

Higgins is tending to a heel contusion, but coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that it isn't considered to be a major concern ahead of Week 1, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

No. 1 wideout Ja'Marr Chase is also currently recovering from a left knee injury that he suffered in practice last Tuesday. Fortunately for Higgins, he doesn't appear to have a serious injury, just one that he'll have to manage with a season-opening matchup with the Buccaneers on the horizon.

Coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that Chase (knee) will be a limited participant in practice this week, and he "feels good about" where the wide receiver stands, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Chase injured his left knee last Tuesday when he attempted to catch a deep ball and had an awkward landing. He exhibited a visible limp in the aftermath, but he later told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer that it was a "little hyperextension," and he could have resumed practicing. Chase will attempt to put the issue behind him ahead of a Week 1 matchup with the Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.

The Eagles signed Gray to their practice squad Tuesday.

After being cut loose by the Eagles over the weekend, Gray will wind up sticking around in the organization upon clearing waivers. Since entering the NFL as a third-round draft pick of the 49ers in 2022, Gray has recorded just one reception for 10 yards on seven targets over 13 career games, all of which came during his rookie season.

McMillan (knee) remains sidelined at Tuesday's practice, PewterReport.com reports.

McMillan missed most of training camp with a knee issue, but optimism is building for his Week 1 availability. He's expected to fill the No. 3 receiver role behind Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Chris Godwin, though 2026 third-round pick Ted Hurst is also likely to see sub-package snaps, and Tez Johnson acquitted himself well as a rookie when he got the chance last year. McMillan appeared in just four regular-season games last season due to a neck injury. He turned 15 targets into 12 catches for 178 yards and zero TDs after producing eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday that Dell (knee) is getting "closer" to a return, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. "He's close, he's not quite there," Caserio said. "He's closer than he was during training camp."

Dell was placed on injured reserve with a designation for return to begin the season and will be required to miss at least the Texans' first four games. While Dell is sidelined, the likes of Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson will vie for snaps behind No. 1 wideout Nico Collins.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Tuesday the team hopes to have Evans (groin) back at practice next week, David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard reports.

The veteran wideout has been slowed by an adductor injury over the last week. The Niners will continue to be cautious with Evans as they prepare for their season opener Sept. 10 in Australia. That Evans won't practice this week is notable, given the already tight timeline and the upcoming international travel.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday that Williams is recovering from a high-ankle sprain and should be ready to return from injured reserve when first eligible in Week 5, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Williams wasn't known to have dealing with any injuries before he landed on injured reserve Sunday, but Gutekunst's comments provided some clarity. Assuming that the second-year wideout bounces back from the high-ankle sprain as anticipated, he should be ready to make his 2026 debut Oct. 11 versus the Bears. With Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden locked in as Green Bay's top three receivers, Williams is unlikely to see much action, but he could have a small role on offense as a gadget player in addition to serving as the team's top kickoff returner, and Watson has missed at least two games in each of his four NFL seasons.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that Allen will play in Week 1 against the Ravens, Jake Arthur of Colts Roundtable reports.

Allen will not face discipline from the team following his arrest on DUI charges Sunday. "We should be good," said Ballard when asked about that Tuesday, and added that "Good people make mistakes. [Allen] is a tremendous human being... he'll work through the process of the legal system." It appears that Allen can now shift his focus to getting up to speed with the team in advance of the season opener Sept. 13 against the Ravens.

Egbuka (toe) is not practicing Tuesday, per Pewter Report.

The second-year wideout is working through a toe injury that has slowed him since mid-August. Coach Todd Bowles said over the weekend that he was "hopeful" Egbuka would be available for Week 1, which is now just under two weeks away. Until Egbuka can return to the practice field, his status for Tampa Bay's season opener appears to be in limbo.