NFL teams continued to reshape their rosters ahead of the 2026 opener, with injured reserve placements, practice-squad additions and several notable status updates across the league. The biggest Week 1 health developments involved Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, while the Colts addressed Anthony Richardson’s future and confirmed Keenan Allen’s availability for the Sept. 13 opener against Baltimore.
Key takeaways
- Ja’Marr Chase is expected to have limited practice work because of a knee issue, while Tee Higgins’ heel contusion is not viewed as a major Week 1 concern.
- Anthony Richardson will stay with Indianapolis despite his offseason trade request, and Alec Pierce is hoping to be ready for the Ravens after ankle surgery.
- Packers tight end Luke Musgrave is projected to play in 2026 but will miss at least four games after opening the year on the physically unable to perform list.
- Tracy Walker received a three-game suspension to begin the 2026 season.
- Odell Beckham Jr. is returning to No. 13, while the Giants also assigned new numbers to Malachi Fields and Jalin Hyatt.
NFL Sunday roster and injury report
The Bengals expect Chase to participate on a limited basis this week as he manages a knee injury. Head coach Zac Taylor expressed optimism about the wide receiver’s condition. Higgins is dealing with a heel contusion, but Taylor does not expect it to threaten Higgins’ availability for Cincinnati’s Sept. 13 Week 1 matchup with the Buccaneers.
In Indianapolis, general manager Chris Ballard said Pierce returned to the field last week following offseason ankle surgery. The Colts are hopeful the receiver can suit up against the Ravens on Sept. 13. Ballard also said Richardson will remain with the club during the season after the quarterback sought a trade during the offseason.
Allen is expected to play in that same Colts-Ravens opener. His status was confirmed after his Sunday arrest on preliminary misdemeanor allegations of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Musgrave’s neck injury will keep him from playing in at least the first four games. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said the tight end is expected to take the field at some point during the 2026 campaign.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is expected to resume practicing this week as he works back from a back injury. 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is expected to practice Wednesday while recovering from a knee issue.
- Linebacker JD Bertrand, guard Brady Christensen, tight end Hayden Large and safety Coby Bryant were moved to injured reserve. Large is dealing with a core injury and Bryant has a knee injury.
- Defensive tackle Kalia Davis, running back Isiah Pacheco, tackles Sam Hagen and Braden Smith, tight end Ben Sims, defensive back Lorenzo Styles, linebacker Nick Martin and defensive back Nate Hobbs also landed on injured reserve.
- Xavier Weaver, Josh Minkins, D.J. James and Brock Lampe were waived with injury designations.
- Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. was released, while linebacker Caden Fordham was waived.
Signings, practice squads and personnel moves
Clubs continued to fill out active rosters and practice squads with a broad set of additions. Bobby Okereke, Brevin Jordan, Dominique Robinson, Segun Olubi, Shy Tuttle and Ashtyn Davis signed active-roster deals. James Lynch, Jack Sanborn, Sam Williams and Noah Igbinoghene were also added.
Tyler Conklin joined an active roster, while Ben Brown and Erick Hunter were signed to active-roster spots. Decamerion Richardson was claimed off waivers from the Raiders, and Kevin Knowles was claimed from the Chiefs.
Mazi Smith, the former Cowboys first-round selection, joined a practice squad. Joe Milton III, previously with Dallas, cleared waivers. Veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy made a visit, as did wide receiver Bub Means.
- Practice-squad offensive additions included Vershon Lee, Caden Barnett, Kyle Hergel, Christian Jones, Blake Freeland, Wanya Morris, Eli Cox, Ethan Driskell, Reid Holskey, Kiran Amegadjie and Esa Pole.
- Practice-squad skill-position signings included Salvon Ahmed, Zavier Scott, Kaden Davis, Scotty Miller, JP Richardson, Tanner Hudson, Davon Booth, Nate Carter, Joshua Simon, Jack Westover, Hayden Rucci and Bailey Zappe.
- Practice squads also added Jared Harrison-Hunte, Marcus Davenport, Buddy Johnson, Wayne Matthews III, Deantre Prince, Marlen Sewell, Garmon Randolph, Trikweze Bridges, Kedon Slovis, Chris Williams, Sam Kamara, Elijah Garcia, Kaevon Merriweather, K.J. Britt, Cedric Tillman, Stone Smartt, Robert Longerbeam and Isaac Yiadom.
- Messiah Swinson, Jaleel McLaughlin, Danny Gray, Jaydon Blue, Christian Jones, Caden Barnett, Kader Kohou, Ben VanSumeren and others were among the latest practice-squad additions.
Ulysses Bentley IV was released from a practice squad.
The Giants finalized several jersey changes. Beckham will wear No. 13, the same number he used during his original tenure with New York after wearing No. 3 in preseason action. Rookie receiver Malachi Fields switched from No. 0 to No. 88, while Jalin Hyatt moved from No. 13 to No. 81. De’Zhaun Stribling will wear No. 7 after previously using No. 15.
SEO Title: NFL roster moves, injury updates and Week 1 availability
SEO Description: Sunday NFL report on injured reserve moves, practice-squad signings, player availability and roster decisions entering the 2026 season.
