NFL Player News

Gage (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

An offseason signing by Tampa Bay, Gage initially picked up his hamstring issue during a joint practice with the Dolphins on Aug. 10. He subsequently missed the entire preseason slate but was able to get back on the practice field last week. As the Bucs prepare for a Week 1 game at Dallas, Gage's activity level has become known, revealing that he isn't 100 percent healthy. Still, he has one more session this week in which to potentially log every rep. If he's able to suit up Sunday night, Gage could benefit with the status of Chris Godwin (knee), who didn't practice Thursday, uncertain this weekend.

Thomas (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Thomas got some work in during the media-access portion of Thursday's session, but he has yet to handle an entire practice as he works his way back from the hamstring injury he's been dealing with since at least Aug. 21. Thomas has one more chance to be a full participant Friday, at which point the Saints will provide a sense of his ability to suit up Sunday in Atlanta.

Johnson (shoulder) remained a limited participant in practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

The Steelers' practice report also indicates that Johnson battled cramps Thursday, but his lingering shoulder injury -- which also limited his activity Wednesday -- is the prevailing concern as Sunday's season opener in Cincinnati approaches. For what it's worth, fellow wideout Chase Claypool told Pryor before Thursday's session that he expects Johnson to play Week 1. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Matt Canada noted that he's also counting on Johnson being ready to go Sunday, though the Steelers will have a plan in place if the newly extended wideout is inactive for the contest or happens to be limited, per Alan Saunders of PittsburghSportsNow.com. One way or the other, the Steelers should have a better idea regarding Johnson's availability for the opener based on what he's able to do in the team's final practice of the week Friday.

Montgomery (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Unless he manages to log a full practice Friday, Montgomery will head into the weekend with a degree of uncertainty regarding his status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. If Montgomery is out or limited Week 1, rookie Pierre Strong would be a candidate to see added touches behind fellow backs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.

Meyers (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

After having logged two straight limited practice sessions, Meyers will need to upgrade to full participation Friday in order to approach Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins minus an injury designation. If he's available this weekend, Meyers is in line to maintain a key pass-catching role in New England's offense alongside fellow wideouts DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor.

Jones (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

Jones has been beset by injuries since early August, making just one appearance during exhibition season. Currently, a hamstring issue has kept him off the field in the first two sessions of Week 1 prep. In the end, Friday's injury report could provide clarity regarding the rookie third-round pick's availability for Sunday's game versus the 49ers.

London (knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Ashton Edmunds of the Falcons' official site reports.

London continues to work himself back from a knee injury that he sustained in preseason Week 1, which kept him sidelined for the rest of the exhibition slate and off the practice field until Monday. With back-to-back capped sessions under his belt, he still has work to do in order to be cleared for Sunday's game against the Saints. As noted by coach Arthur Smith on Wednesday, the Falcons won't make a decision on London's availability until Saturday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Smith (shoulder) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Smith's lack of activity in practice for the second straight day isn't a promising early sign with regard to his availability for Sunday's game against the Falcons. He'll get one more chance Friday to practice in some capacity, but even if he does so and avoids taking a designation into the weekend, Smith looks primed for a role reduction in 2022. Michael Thomas (hamstring) is set to return from the ankle injury that sidelined him for the entire 2021 campaign, and the Saints added ex-Browns slot standout Jarvis Landry and first-round rookie Chris Olave to their receiver room this offseason.

Waddle (quad) practiced fully Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

After logging a limited session Wednesday, Waddle was able to handle every practice rep Thursday, which sets the stage for the 2021 first-rounder to be available for Sunday's season opener against the Patriots. Heading into the upcoming campaign, Waddle and Tyreek Hill are in line to form a dynamic one-two punch at wideout for the Dolphins, and in that context both players should see steady target volume from QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2022.

Lazard (ankle) wasn't spotted at the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Prior to the Packers taking the field Thursday, coach Matt LaFleur was noncommittal about Lazard getting his first on-field work of Week 1 prep as the wide receiver tends to an ankle injury that he sustained in practice last week when his foot was stepped on. If Lazard indeed logs a second consecutive DNP, he'll have just one more chance to practice this week ahead of Sunday's season opener at Minnesota.