NFL Player News

Head coach Bruce Arians said Mickens (abdomen) will not travel with the team this weekend, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As expected, Mickens won't be available for Week 3 after missing back-to-back practices. The 27-year-old return specialist has totaled 116 kick-return yards and 21 punt-return yards through the first two weeks of the season. Jaelon Darden is expected to make his NFL debut against the Rams on Sunday night with Mickens sidelined.

Beckham (knee) will play Sunday against the Bears, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

That news was relayed by coach Kevin Stefanski, who noted Friday that the wideout -- who is bouncing back from an ACL injury -- "looked good" and is "ready to go'' after practicing fully this week. Now that he's been cleared to play, the main question that remains with regard to Beckham's Week 3 fantasy prospects relates to what sort of workload he'll see in his first game action since last October.

Gage (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Giants, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Gage was injured during the Falcons' Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay and didn't practice at all this week. He's been targeted just nine times on 57 routes this year, catching five passes for 28 yards while playing 60.4 percent of snaps. Gage's absence should free up more playing time for Olamide Zaccheaus -- and possibly Christian Blake or Tajae Sharpe -- but none is likely to see a high volume of targets in a struggling Atlanta offense that has largely focused on Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts and the running backs so far.

Higgins (shoulder) is in line to be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

With that, it looks like Higgins is trending toward Week 3 inactive status. If he ends up ruled out versus Pittsburgh, added looks would be available for Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd, while either Auden Tate or Mike Thomas would be in line to log complementary WR snaps in Cincinnati's passing game.

Hopkins (ribs) didn't participate in the open portion of Friday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Hopkins is a regular on the injury report and often misses practice, but three consecutive DNPs would nonetheless create some level of concern about his availability for Sunday's game in Jacksonville. Neither player nor team has said much about the rib injury, making it difficult to decipher if the Cardinals are genuinely concerned.

Brown (ankle) is participating at Friday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Brown was limited at Wednesday's practice before sitting out Thursday, so it's a good sign to see him back on the field to finish the week. The 24-year-old should have a chance to suit up Sunday versus the Lions, and Friday's final injury report of the week will indicate whether or not he receives an injury designation.

Gage (ankle) wasn't seen during the early portions of Friday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Gage was unable to practice Wednesday and Thursday due to the ankle injury, and it appears he's headed for another absence Friday. The 25-year-old's availability for Sunday's matchup with the Giants remains a significant question mark.

Higgins (shoulder) is suited up for Friday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Higgins sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday, so it's a good sign to see him back on the field Friday, even if he's only a limited participant. It remains unclear whether the 22-year-old will be able to avoid an injury designation, but he should have a chance to play Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Coach Robert Saleh said Crowder (groin) is expected to be a game-time decision for Sunday's game at Denver, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

The Jets have yet to release their updated injury report, but it appears Crowder will receive the questionable tag after being a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday. The 28-year-old was expected to make his season debut last Sunday against the Patriots, but he was inactive for the second straight contest since the groin injury flared up late in the week.

Cooper said Thursday his bruised ribs are improving, DallasCowboys.com reports. "I'm getting better every day. I think I'll be good to go for Monday night," he said after practice on 105.3 The Fan.

The receiver was only a limited participant in practice, but it's still an encouraging sign for his availability in Week 3 against the Eagles after he took a shot to the ribs late in last week's win over the Chargers. If Cooper is able to suit up, he'll be facing a Philly secondary that's held both the Falcons and 49ers below 200 passing yards in its first two contests.