NFL Player News

Gallup (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, after logging limited practices Wednesday through Friday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

A return to full participation next week likely would give Gallup a shot to play in a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Bengals on Sept. 18. The Cowboys said all along that he'd miss Week 1, but the decision to keep him off the PUP list suggests they expect him to be ready before Week 5. They'll have a shaky group of complementary receivers behind CeeDee Lamb in the meantime, with Jalen Tolbert and Noah Brown the favorites to get playing time in the opener.

Jones (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest against the 49ers.

An injury-plagued training camp and preseason for Jones has followed him into the regular season. Currently, a hamstring issue has been the culprit, keeping him out of all three practices this week. Assuming Jones is unable to suit up Sunday, the Bears will rely on Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Byron Pringle, Dante Pettis and Ihmir Smith-Marsette at wide receiver.

Smith (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Smith picked up a shoulder injury in the Saints' preseason finale, and he subsequently didn't practice Wednesday through Friday and will be on the sideline to begin the campaign. Fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday, leaving Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty as the team's healthy options at the position at the moment.

Taylor (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Steelers, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Taylor popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant and was limited again Friday, leaving his status for Week 1 in doubt. The return specialist appeared in four games last year for the Bengals, catching two of three targets for 41 yards and totaling 120 return yards. If available for the season opener, Taylor likely won't garner a role on offense but is expected to operate as the team's top punt returner.

Thomas (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest in Atlanta, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Thomas was able to manage three consecutive limited sessions this week after dealing with a hamstring injury that's impacted him since at least Aug. 21. His status for Week 1 remains up in the air, but at least fantasy managers will have the benefit of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday as it pertains to a lineup decision. If he's able to play, Thomas will be on the receiving end of passes from Jameis Winston.

London (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Saints, Tory McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

London has been in limbo since suffering a knee injury in Atlanta's preseason opener, missing the rest of exhibition season and only returning to practice this week. Coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that the Falcons had a goal to get London through Week 1 prep before putting him through a workout Saturday, at which point the team would "make a call" on his availability. As a result, clarity on London's status could be known well ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Shepard (Achilles) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Tennessee, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Despite suffering a torn Achilles against the Cowboys on Dec. 19, Shepard has made a quick recovery in time for the 2022 season opener. He was a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday, so his reps could be capped Sunday. Still, Shepard's presence means the Giants will have their top four wide receivers available this weekend (also, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and Wan'Dale Robinson).

Johnson (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

He may have to play through discomfort after spraining his shoulder in Pittsburgh's preseason finale, but Johnson will be out there Sunday after closing out the week with a full practice Friday. He's the favorite to lead Pittsburgh in targets any time he plays, though there's arguably more competition this year with WR Chase Claypool and TE Pat Freiermuth a year older and rookie wideout George Pickens expected to play a lot. Johnson caught nine of 14 targets for 95 yards in his one game against the Bengals last season.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that he considers Lazard (ankle) doubtful for Sunday's game at Minnesota, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

On Wednesday, LaFleur revealed that Lazard's absence from practice stemmed from getting stepped on last week. Lazard proceeded to miss all three official sessions this week and now has scant chance to play Week 1. If the Packers include him among their inactives Sunday, the team will rely on Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs at wide receiver.

Lazard (ankle) isn't practicing Friday, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Lazard got his ankle stepped on during a practice last week and hasn't participated at all this week. He isn't looking good for Sunday's game against Minnesota, likely leaving QB Aaron Rodgers with a WR group of Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Amari Rodgers and Samori Toure. While Watkins and Cobb are the safest bets to get snaps in the opener, Doubs and Watson are the upside plays for fantasy managers seeking a receiver to stash on the bench.