NFL Player News

Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Egbuka (toe) is "full go" ahead of Sunday's contest in Cincinnati, per River Wells of SI.com, and the second-year wide receiver doesn't have a designation for Week 1 action.

Egbuka initially sustained a sprained toe during an Aug. 12 practice that sidelined him until this week, but his ability to handle every practice rep Wednesday through Friday has him in the clear for Sunday. With numerous injuries affecting the Buccaneers' receiving corps last season, he still put up a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in 17 regular-season games as a rookie. Considering Mike Evans is out of the picture, Egbuka should be the team's featured WR in a matchup against the Bengals that should produce plenty of splash plays.

Branch (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Branch opened Week 1 prep with back-to-back limited sessions due to a hamstring injury, but a full session Friday has him in the clear to make his pro debut this weekend. It's unclear what kind of role can be expected of the rookie third-round pick on offense as he jostles for snaps behind position mates Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, but Branch at least should get on the field as a punt returner.

Coach Kellen Moore said Friday that Kamara (knee) will be questionable for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara suffered an MCL sprain during a joint practice with the Cowboys on Aug. 18 that initially was slated to sideline him for at least one month. While Kamara was able to practice in a limited capacity during Week 1 prep, his status for Sunday seemingly will come down to a game-time decision. If Kamara is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, Kendre Miller would be the Saints running back to receive complementary work behind starter Travis Etienne.

Johnson (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game at Houston, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Johnson just returned to practice Thursday after missing a month, but head coach Joe Brady said Friday that the veteran running back "doesn't need a lot of the physical work to go do his job." If Johnson ends up inactive, it could push more snaps and targets toward starter James Cook, in addition to benefitting backup Ray Davis. The Bills have typically deployed Johnson as a passing-down specialist.

Browns coach Todd Monken said Friday that Concepcion will handle all of the punt returns Sunday against Jacksonville, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Concepcion also figures to be one of the team's top offensive weapons, locked in for a top-three role alongside presumed starters Jerry Jeudy and Denzel Boston. The Browns also have TE Harold Fannin and RBs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the mix for short-area targets, but Monken seems intent on getting the ball into Concepcion's hands, one way or another.

Penix (knee), who won't play Sunday in Pittsburgh, was seen throwing to practice-squad players during the open portion of Friday's practice, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

On Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Tua Tagovailoa would be the Falcons' Week 1 starting quarterback, while conversely Penix would be inactive for the season opener. On Thursday, though, Tagovailoa strained his oblique and now won't be available this weekend, either, with coach Kevin Stefanski calling him "week-to-week" Friday, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com. Penix's listed activity of "full" all week indicates he's closing in on his first game action since tearing his left ACL last November, and if Tagovailoa is indeed in danger of missing multiple games, Penix could soon be in the mix for starts under center. As for this Sunday, Cooper Rush will direct the offense, with Jack Strand backing him up.

Rush will start Sunday's game at Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was ruled out for Week 1 action, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Tagovailoa suffered an oblique strain during Thursday's practice and now will join Michael Penix (knee) on the sideline this weekend. Rush handled the first-team reps in the final two sessions of Week 1 prep and thus will be under center Sunday, with Jack Strand backing him up. Because coach Kevin Stefanski told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com on Friday that Tagovailoa is "week-to-week," Rush could be in consideration for multiple starts to kick off the 2026 campaign.

Johnson (hamstring) is practicing Friday, but Alex Brasky of SI.com believes the running back is unlikely to play Sunday in Houston.

Johnson returned to practice Thursday after missing a full month, so the Bills will probably wait until Week 2 or 3 to have him suit up. James Cook could get a few extra snaps in passing situations, while Ray Davis also gets a minor boost for workload projection in Johnson's absence.

Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Tagovailoa opened the week getting the call as Atlanta's Week 1 starting quarterback but ended it sidelined due to an oblique injury that he sustained during Thursday's practice. Coach Kevin Stefanski told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com on Friday that Tagovailoa is "week-to-week," which would seem to suggest multiple DNPs are on the horizon for the QB. In any case, Tagovailoa will join Michael Penix (knee) in street clothes Sunday, while Cooper Rush gets the nod under center and Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com serves as his backup.

McMillan (knee) is doubtful for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

McMillan reportedly looked good at practice earlier this week, but the Bucs have been listing him as a limited participant and apparently don't expect a contribution this Sunday. Continued practice participation does hint at a chance to be back for Week 2 against Cleveland. With McMillan likely inactive this week, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka (toe) should get plenty of snaps, with Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst also candidates for routes/targets.