NFL Player News

It sounds like Young will get a substantial amount of run in the Panthers’ final tune-up before the regular season. Young has not taken a snap in either of the team’s first two preseason games, meaning this weekend will be the first and only time we get a good look at him before the Panthers kick off the season on September 8 against the Saints. Young is coming off one of the worst rookie years for any quarterback in NFL history, but hope seems to have been restored with Canales now at the helm. The Panthers’ roster still needs a lot of work before being considered serious contenders, but an encouraging season out of Young will go a long way in building optimism for the future. Canales also added that he would like to see Andy Dalton get some reps but isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to go.

Hopkins compared the injury to a sprained ankle. It had been reported earlier that the wideout had been dealing with a tear in his knee, but Hopkins was quick to shut that down. Regardless, Hopkins is not on the injury report for Sunday’s game against the Jets, but fantasy managers will have to be prepared for some potential maintenance for the 32-year-old during the 2024 campaign.

Pierce wasn’t on the injury report Wednesday, so it’s a new knock for the 24-year-old runner. Pierce ran three time for 16 yards as the clear backup to Joe Mixon during Sunday’s contest, and he’ll have that role again if he’s able to play Sunday against the Bears. If not, it’d be Cam Aker as the backup tailback.

The “limited” tag means Collins should be in no danger of sitting Sunday evening. As we recede further from the “COVID years,” sitting with illness has again become nearly nonexistent in the NFL. Collins will likely be removed from the injury report altogether on Friday.

Tremble has been limited in back-to-back practices for the Panthers. The 24-year-old missed Week 1 with his issues, but he has a good chance of making his season debut against the Chargers in Week 2. Jadeveon Clowney was also limited for the Panthers on Thursday with his ankle issue, and punter Johnny Hekker with a back injury.

There was some optimism that Ferguson could get into Thursday’s session, but the tight end was not one of the participants for the affair. The tight end will likely need to get in at last a limited practice Friday if he’s going to play in Week 2 against the Saints, but all signs point to Luke Schoonmaker being the started at tight end for that contest.

McCaffrey is getting a second consecutive practice, although fantasy managers will want to see the designation of whether he’s limited in the session or not. The 28-year-old was a surprise scratch for Monday night football, and there’s a good chance he’ll miss Week 2 against the Vikings as well, despite getting in back-to-back practice sessions.

Allen suited up for Week 1 after logging two limited participant designations before practicing in full on Friday. His inability to practice thus far bodes poorly for his Week 2 availability. Coaches occasionally allow talented veterans to rest throughout the week while managing an injury rather than risking a setback, though even limited participation on Friday would be a positive sign. Fantasy managers should make contingency plans, just to be safe.

Odunze and Keenan Allen (heel) both weren’t available to practice for the second straight day. Odunze was diagnosed with a low-grade MCL sprain, and while there is a chance the 22-year-old could be in action against the Texans on Sunday Night Football, it looks more likely than not he won’t be back until Week 3 at the earliest. Allen seems much more likely to play of the two hurt wideouts.

The injury occurred when a Lions offensive lineman delivered a hit to Rams S Kamren Curl, who was attempting to clog a rushing lane. Curl impacted Sewell’s lower leg laterally, causing Sewell to briefly writhe in pain after the play. Sewell toughed it out, never leaving the field. While Friday’s injury report will be helpful, the team could opt to rest him throughout the week as a precaution, before allowing the two-time defending Pro Bowler to suit up on Sunday.

Garrett is a new name for the injury report, as the 28-year-old had no designation for Wednesday’s session. The Browns also were without Za’Darius Smith Thursday with a back injury. Cleveland’s defense looked not-so-great in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys, and could be without two of their best players for Week 2 against the Jaguars. There should be further updates on both Friday.