NFL Player News

Jefferson (shoulder) isn't listed on the Vikings' injury report Wednesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

The Vikings held Jefferson out of their entire preseason schedule due to an AC joint sprain that he sustained in his left shoulder Aug. 6. He returned to practice a week and a half later, and he's now back to 100 percent on the eve of the regular season. Despite totaling just five catches for 70 yards in the first two games of his rookie campaign in 2020, Jefferson still finished with a ridiculous 88-1,400-7 line on 125 targets.

Thielen (thigh) isn't listed on Wednesday's initial injury report ahead of the Vikings' Week 1 matchup with the Bengals.

Thielen participated in practice without any reported issue after he left the team's third preseason game due to a thigh bruise. The injury likely was minor, but he missed the team's final exhibition, which he was likely to skip anyway. His absence from the initial injury report offers confirmation that Thielen is good to go for the season opener in Cincinnati, where he should be in store for a fair amount of targets. An already narrow Vikings pass-catching tree became even thinner a couple weeks ago, when top tight end Irv Smith (knee) underwent season-ending surgery to repair his meniscus.

Agholor was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury.

The Patriots haven't disclosed whether Agholor is managing a previous injury or if he tweaked his ankle during Wednesday's practice, but for now, consider the projected starting wideout day-to-day as Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins approaches. If available, Agholor is poised to be a key cog in the Patriots' passing attack Week 1, along with fellow receivers Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.

Smith (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.

Smith was forced out of the Panthers' preseason finale Aug. 28 against the Steelers with a shoulder injury, which later was accompanied by a prognosis of 2-to-3 weeks on the sideline. Thus, it's no surprise he didn't take the field for the first session of Week 1, but if he's trending toward the front end of that timeline he still may be able to play Sunday against the Jets. Smith's activity is worth monitoring Thursday and Friday to see if he puts himself in that position.

Hopkins (undisclosed) wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Hopkins sat out the Cardinals' entire preseason slate, the result of an undisclosed health concern. While the nature of the issue never was revealed, he's now back and ready for a Week 1 matchup at Tennessee, whose defense allowed the second-most catches (16.8 per game) to opposing wide receivers last season.

Toney was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Toney is drawing closer to gaining clearance for game action after a summer in which he had a bout with COVID-19 and also missed the preseason with a previously unknown injury. With the release of Wednesday's practice report, it became clear that Toney has been tending to the hamstring issue. In a receiving corps that's banged-up to start the season -- Kenny Golladay (knee, limited), Evan Engram (calf, no practice), Kyle Rudolph (foot, limited) and Kaden Smith (knee, limited) are the players in question -- Toney may be able to eke out his share of targets from Daniel Jones on Sunday against the Broncos, assuming he's available.

Slayton (ankle) wasn't listed on the Giants' injury report Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Slayton was in and out of the Giants' preseason finale due to a left ankle or foot injury, but he and Sterling Shepard now appear to be the healthiest members of the receiving corps. Wideouts Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Kadarius Toney (undisclosed) and tight ends Kyle Rudolph (foot) and Kaden Smith (knee) were all limited participants Wednesday, while top tight end Evan Engram (calf) didn't practice at all. Depending on who's available Sunday versus the Broncos, Slayton could be headed for a bigger workload than normal.

Campbell was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Campbell's groin injury is viewed as more of a lingering issue than a new concern. If the injury doesn't prevent Campbell from playing Sunday against the Seahawks, he'll begin the season as the Colts' No. 3 receiver with T.Y. Hilton out multiple weeks after neck surgery. He'll likely work in the slot role, with Zach Pascal playing outside in three-wideout sets.

Brown (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

It's not unusual for Brown to have his practice reps managed, but his absence Wednesday makes the wideout's status worth monitoring as Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals approaches. A return to practice Thursday in any capacity would put Brown on track to play in Week 1, and if so, he'll be slated to start opposite newcomer Julio Jones (undisclosed), whose name doesn't appear on Tennessee's initial injury report.

McKenzie (shoulder) was listed as a full practice participant Wednesday.

McKenzie should be a full go for the Week 1 matchup against the Steelers in Buffalo, where he'll serve as the team's top return man and utility option in certain offensive formations.