NFL Player News

Strand will serve as the Falcons' backup quarterback behind Cooper Rush for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

The Falcons chose to carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, and that looks to have been a savvy move after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out for Week 1 due to an oblique injury he sustained in Thursday's practice. With Michael Penix (knee) also sidelined, the Falcons will turn to the veteran Rush to start under center while Strand -- an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State-Moorhead -- operates as the QB2. Strand played in all three of the Falcons' preseason games, completing 24 of 36 passes for 306 yards, one touchdown and one interception while turning 17 carries into 29 yards and two scores.

Coach Todd Monken said Friday that he has not decided whether Green will have a package of plays for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.

If Green is written into the Browns' offensive game plan for Week 1, it would likely suggest he is second in line at quarterback behind veteran Deshaun Watson. If 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders ends up with that role instead, Green's path to playing time gets harder to envision. If and when Green does get on the field, his size and speed (6-foot-6, 230 pounds, 4.36 40-yard dash) would certainly compel a defense to pay close attention.

Madubuike (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Madubuike logged a limited practice session all three days this week. The defensive tackle is close to returning from a severe neck injury he suffered last September but will need to be fully cleared before he can return to the field. With the 28-year-old unable to suit up, Aeneas Peebles will likely draw the start at tackle next to Travis Jones and Calais Campbell on Sunday.

Ponds (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Tennessee, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Toward the end of training camp, there was optimism that Ponds would make his NFL regular-season debut against Tennessee. The rookie second-rounder was a limited participant in all three practices this week, but the doubtful tag indicates that he's likely not quite ready to return from a calf injury that he sustained in late July. If Ponds is ruled out for Week 1, the Jets would lose a special-teams asset and depth in the secondary behind starting corners Brandon Stephens, Jarvis Brownlee and Nahshon Wright.

Jones (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Jones has not practiced at all this week, so Friday's decision is not a surprise. The linebacker remains week-to-week with the back injury he suffered in late August. Trevis Gipson will likely start at weakside linebacker for the Panthers in Week 1.

Stewart (knee) is officially designated as doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Stewart downgraded to limited practice participation Thursday after managing a full practice Wednesday, and it looks like he's trending towards sitting out Week 1. If he can't go, rookie second-rounder Cashius Howell could see an increased share of snaps on the edge.

Nwangwu (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Nwangwu wasn't listed on the Jets' injury report until Friday as a DNP, indicating that he may have tweaked his back in a practice session. He wasn't expected to see much playing time on offense given that he's behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis on the depth chart. However, if Nwangwu is indeed ruled out for Week 1, then Isaiah Williams figures to operate at the Jets' top returner, with Davis also in the mix.

Patrick (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Patrick did not practice this week and subsequently will be unable to participate in Sunday's regular-season opener. The wide receiver has been dealing with a recent groin injury. It is unclear when Patrick will be able to return to the field and if additional time must be missed.

Ossai (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Ossai has been considered week-to-week since sustaining a foot injury in the Jets' Aug. 28 preseason finale against the Giants. Ossai was unable to practice in the week leading up to the regular-season opener, and it is unclear if the defensive end will be ready to to play in Week 2 against the Packers.

Donald had his roster exemption lifted by the NFL on Friday, per the league's transaction log.

After Donald came out of retirement and signed with the Rams on Aug. 30, the NFL granted the team a two-game roster exemption for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. While he didn't travel with the team for a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, he now will be eligible to make his first appearance since the 2023 season on Monday, Sept. 21, against the Giants.