NFL Player News

Coach Ron Rivera relayed Friday that the team plans to place Samuel (groin) on injured reserve, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Jhabvala adds that Samuel's looming stint on IR is not expected to be lengthy, with the wideout potentially returning to the mix after missing just three games to start the coming season. In Samuel's absence, added snaps will be available for Adam Humphries, Dyami Brown and Cam Sims behind No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.

Moore is expected to play a prominent role in Sunday's game against the Panthers, as fellow wide receiver Jamison Crowder won't come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to suit up, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Moore played predominantly in the slot in college, and he's set to work as New York's top option there in his NFL debut with Crowder sitting out. The rookie second-round pick out of Ole Miss is capable of shifting to the outside, where he also could see more action than anticipated if Keelan Cole (knee) -- who is a game-time decision -- joins Crowder on the sidelines.

Cole (knee) is a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

With Jamison Crowder still on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Cole potentially unavailable, the Jets' receiving depth will be tested right out of the gate. The biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time should be highly touted rookie Elijah Moore, though second-year pro Denzel Mims and backup slot receiver Braxton Berrios also could take on larger roles behind No. 1 receiver Corey Davis. Cole's availability likely won't be determined until shortly before kickoff Sunday.

Crowder, who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, won't be available for Sunday's season opener against the Panthers, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

With fellow wide receiver Keelan Cole (knee) viewed as a game-time decision for the contest, Corey Davis and rookie Elijah Moore could end up being busy Week 1. Crowder now will set his sights on being cleared to play in time for the Jets' Week 2 tilt against the Patriots.

Evans secured three of six targets for 24 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.

On a night when the trio of Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski combined for 22 receptions, 316 yards and four touchdowns, Evans was notably the odd man out of the fun. The Pro Bowl wideout had a late drop and otherwise wasn't looked to as often as his trio of teammates, but that's hardly reason for fretting on the part of fantasy managers. Evans displayed excellent chemistry with Tom Brady during their first season together in 2020 to the tune of a 70-1,006-13 line, and the quarterback will undoubtedly spread the wealth among his ultra-talented group of pass catchers as the season unfolds. Evans will have a good chance to bounce back when he faces the questionable Falcons secondary in a Week 2 home divisional matchup on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Godwin brought in nine of 14 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night. He also lost a fumble.

The talented fifth-year pro's fumble inside the five-yard line with 5:04 remaining not only cost Godwin and the Buccaneers a touchdown, but for a moment, it also appeared capable of leading to what would have been a relatively shocking season-opening home loss. The Cowboys took the ball and marched 60 yards in 11 plays following Godwin's miscue to kick a go-ahead field goal before Tampa Bay's own 11-play drive, which featured a key 24-yard reception by the wideout, positioned the Bucs for a successful game-winning field-goal try of their own. Godwin also scored the first points of the NFL season when he recorded a five-yard scoring grab in the first quarter, and he appears to already be in midseason form save for his one error. The Penn State product will look to build on Thursday's numbers in a Week 2 home matchup against the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Lamb secured seven of 15 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night. He also returned one punt for 12 yards.

If not for the otherworldly exploits of teammate Amari Cooper (13-139-2), Lamb's play would have been the talk of the Cowboys' pass-catching corps. The second-year pro was an effective complementary source of production throughout the night alongside Cooper and helped answer an early Buccaneers touchdown with a 22-yard scoring grab late in the first quarter. Even with the sub-50-percent catch rate for the night, Lamb and Dak Prescott appear to already be in sync despite a relatively sparse amount of regular-season opportunities to work together to date, and the duo will aim to put together another impressive performance in a Week 2 interconference road battle against the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Cooper secured 13 of 16 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys' 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

The multi-time Pro Bowler shook off an extremely truncated preseason that was a byproduct of offseason ankle surgery to pace all pass catchers in receptions, targets and receiving yards. Cooper's elite route-running skills were on display throughout the night as he consistently got the best of the Buccaneers secondary, and his five- and 21-yard touchdown grabs both brought the Cowboys within less than a field goal of Tampa Bay. While Dallas ultimately fell just short, Cooper's performance and his clear return to full health are certainly encouraging for fantasy managers who invested some draft capital in him. The 27-year-old will aim to stay hot in a Week 2 road battle versus the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Gallup will be re-evaluated Friday after leaving Thursday's 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers with an ankle injury, Greg Auman of The Athletic report.

Gallup stayed on the sidelines for the rest of the game, and he was spotted walking under his own power, albeit with a limp, after the contest concluded. The 25-year-old posted four receptions for 36 yards -- all in the first half -- before suffering this injury. If Gallup is unable to play in Week 2 against the Chargers, Cedrick Wilson will likely operate as the Cowboys' No. 3 wide receiver.

Gallup was forced out of Thursday's game against the Buccaneers with an ankle injury, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gallup was off to a solid start with four receptions for 36 yards in the first half, but he was targeted just once in the third quarter before exiting the game. The severity of Gallup's injury is unclear. Fellow wideout Cedrick Wilson figures to handle extra reps in Gallup's place.