NFL Player News

Odunze (calf) will practice Friday, and the training staff will assess him afterward before deciding next steps, Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune reports.

Odunze was limited the previous two days, and Friday's session gives him one last chance to upgrade to full participation (or at least make a positive impression on coaches and the training staff). Coach Ben Johnson didn't mention expectations for the extent of Odunze's participation Friday. If Odunze ends up inactive Sunday at Carolina, the Bears will be left with a shaky WR group alongside Luther Burden. The top alternatives are Kalif Raymond, rookie Zavion Thomas and Jahdae Walker.

The Patriots are expected to place Brown (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Patriots needed less than 48 hours to decide that Brown will be out for at least four games. The earliest he could return from IR would be Week 6, but the Patriots' decision to deactivate Brown suggests he may not be ready by then. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas took most of the snaps at receiver after Brown suffered a right high-ankle sprain in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss at Seattle.

Meyers (thumb) is practicing without a non-contact jersey Friday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

After logging limited practices Wednesday and Thursday while wearing a non-contact jersey, Meyers may be gearing up to play in the opener. It remains to be seen how the Jaguars list him on their final injury report.

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen confirmed Friday that Washington will be the team's primary punt returner to start the season, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Coen also mentioned wanting to give Travis Hunter a chance in the return game, but it sounds like that's more of a project than a right-now possibility. In the meantime, Washington's ample experience on punt returns makes him the clear best choice for a role that's extremely important on a per-snap basis. It's only a few snaps per game, of course, but they are high-risk plays for injuries, and the fantasy payoff in most leagues is unlikely to be more than a six-point splash once per season. The good news for Washington's fantasy managers is that there's plenty of recent history of full-time starting wideouts also handling punt returns, including Antonio Brown and Tyreek Hill. While obviously in a different category athletically, Washington offers considerable breakout appeal after his huge finish to last season.

Samuel brought in six of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown, rushed once for 12 yards and returned two kickoffs for 74 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

The versatile Samuel made a splash in his return to the 49ers following a one-year stint with the Commanders, tying for the team lead in receptions and for runner-up status in targets as well with new teammate Mike Evans. Samuel's production was boosted by the second-quarter exit of De'Zhaun Stribling due to an ankle injury, and the highlight of the former's performance came when he recorded a 15-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter by mirroring Brock Purdy's movement across the field as the quarterback extended the play. Samuel's Week 1 usage implied he'll fill the same type of diverse role he previously thrived in within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, and the veteran receiver is likely to remain busy in a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Adams secured three of six targets for 26 yards during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

The veteran receiver's final line underscores the kind of game it was for the Rams' air attack, which netted only 168 yards overall. Adams' numbers, modest as they were, still enabled him to tie for second in receptions while also checking in as the runner-up in both receiving yards and targets for Los Angeles. The only game during Adams' debut campaign in L.A. last year in which he generated a lower stat line was a Week 11 win over the Seahawks, when his only catch went for a one-yard touchdown, and he should have a chance to put together a more voluminous line during a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Evans secured six of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Evans shrugged off recent nagging injuries to hit the ground running in his 49ers regular-season debut, recording three catches for 22 yards on the opening possession alone. He would go on to double up that reception tally by game's end, tying for the team lead in that category with Deebo Samuel while also drawing even with his teammate for second in targets. Evans also was on the receiving end of the second of Brock Purdy's three touchdown passes, muscling his way to a contested two-yard grab in the left corner of the end zone in the third quarter. If early returns are any indication, the Purdy-Evans connection could be a prolific one throughout the season, and a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20 presents as a particularly promising matchup.

Nacua brought in five of nine targets for 74 yards during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

Nacua was in the familiar position of leading the Rams in receptions, receiving yards and targets, but in a game where Los Angeles' offense surprisingly sputtered and Matthew Stafford threw for only 155 yards, those figures were still below the star wide receiver's lofty standards. Nacua's role as Stafford's unquestioned top target remains locked in, and despite the lackluster season-opening team performance, the fourth-year receiver should have plenty of opportunity to bounce back in a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Stribling (ankle) avoided an Achilles injury Thursday against the Rams after initial tests revealed his Achilles is intact, James Palmer of The Athletic reports.

After suffering his ankle injury in the first quarter Thursday against the Rams, Stribling came back in the game in the second quarter and abruptly left again after he fell to the ground in pain while running a route. While he's avoided an Achilles injury, Stribling's ankle issue did look to be pretty serious after he had to be helped off the field and then carted to the locker room. The good news is the 49ers have 10 days before their next game. Stribling will undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury.

Flournoy agreed to a one-year contract extension worth up to $6 million with Dallas on Thursday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Flournoy has been a nice find for the Cowboys after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The wideout tallied a career-best 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns over 16 regular-season games last year and is set for a larger role as the team's No. 3 wide receiver in 2026. Flournoy now is in line to remain with Dallas through 2027, and he could be a great value if he proves to be productive with potentially increased opportunities during the upcoming campaign.