Source: Chicago Bears
Summary
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey returned to practice, showing signs of readiness for the Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles expressed uncertainty about Kyler Gordon’s return from a calf injury, saying, “I don’t know.” Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. remained noncommittal about playing in Week 1 without a contract extension. New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is rehabbing an ankle injury, with his Week 1 status unclear.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
McCaffrey cut and moved like he always does, but the 49ers still have to hope he stays healthy.
Gordon’s still not back, and Poles is still not sure.
Porter says he doesn’t know if he’ll play, and the Steelers are still not talking contracts.
Henderson’s on the shelf again, and the Patriots are already planning for life without him.
It’s the same story every year, just different names and different injuries.
Author: Evan Null
Christian McCaffrey’s Return
Christian McCaffrey returned to practice, showing signs of being ready for the Week 1 opener. He was seen making cuts and looking explosive during drills. McCaffrey missed more than two weeks of training camp due to general “tightness.” It’s unclear if the issue was related to his previous Achilles tendinitis or a precaution for other injuries. His return is a positive sign for the 49ers as they head into Australia for the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Kyler Gordon’s Uncertain Future
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles expressed uncertainty about Kyler Gordon’s return from a lingering calf injury. Gordon, who signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension in April 2025, has appeared in just five games since signing the deal. Poles said, “I don’t know,” when asked if Gordon will play for Chicago during the upcoming 2026 season. The Bears placed safety Coby Bryant and tight end Hayden Large on injured reserve, opening up roster spots for James Lynch and Jack Sanborn.
Joey Porter Jr.’s Contract Dilemma
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. returned to practice after dealing with a back injury but remained noncommittal about playing in the season opener without a new contract. Porter is entering the final year of his rookie contract and said, “I don’t know” when asked if he will suit up against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13. General manager Omar Khan said the team wants Porter to remain with the franchise long-term, but the Steelers have a policy of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins.
TreVeyon Henderson’s Ankle Injury
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson hasn’t practiced in over a week due to an ankle injury suffered in training camp. He returned to practice on Tuesday but has not been cleared for full participation. Henderson is coming off a productive rookie season, where he recorded 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries. If he can’t play in Week 1, Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to take on a larger role.
Injuries and Roster Moves
Injuries continue to impact rosters across the league as the regular season approaches. Teams are managing player health and making roster adjustments. The Bears placed Coby Bryant and Hayden Large on injured reserve, while the Patriots are monitoring Henderson’s ankle injury. These moves reflect the ongoing challenges of balancing player health with game-day readiness.
