Tom Brady will have his No. 1 receiver available or Week 1.
After being upgraded from doubtful to questionable on Saturday's injury report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) is expected to play against the New Orleans Saints barring a setback, sources tell NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Evans is officially active for this afternoon's game in New Orleans, but he may be on a snap count, Rapoport adds.
Evans finished last season with 67 receptions for 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games played.
The availability of Evans is a good sign for Brady, who looks to make a splash in his debut as the Bucs' quarterback. While Evans only represents half of Tampa Bay's dynamic duo of wideouts, his presence alone may ensure some favorable matchups for teammate Chris Godwin. The same goes for the Bucs' tight end trio of Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate, who will all be featured in head coach Bruce Arians' 12-personnel sets this season.
The Bucs will still have a tough match ahead against the defending NFC South champion Saints, but having Evans on the field will only help Brady & Co.'s cause for a takeover.
Other injury news we're keeping an eye on ahead of Sunday's Week 1 games:
- Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay and rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah will be inactive today against the Bears, sources tell Rapoport. The pair are dealing with hamstring injuries.
- Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery, listed as questionable with a groin injury, is expected to play and receive a full workload against the Detroit Lions, a source tells Rapoport. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) is also good to go and both are officially active. Listed as doubtful, linebacker Robert Quinn (ankle) is officially inactive.
- Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter, listed as questionable as he recovers from a knee procedure, is expected to play against the Ravens in Baltimore, according to Rapoport.
- New England Patriots wide receiver N'Keal Harry (shoulder) is listed as questionable, but he's good to go against the Miami Dolphins, per Rapoport. QB Jarrett Stidham, however, is inactive for the season opener as the Cam Newton era begins in New England.
- Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (knee) is officially inactive after being doubtful all week. Backup quarterback Alex Smith and tackle Saahdiq Charles are also inactive.
- Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson (ankle), limited in practice and listed as questionable, is officially inactive against Washington. Rookie Jack Driscoll will get the start at right tackle while Nate Herbig will start at right guard, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
- Los Angeles Chargers receiver Mike Williams (shoulder) is likely to play against the Bengals, Rapoport reported. The decision is not 100 percent and L.A. wants to see him warm up before the 4:05 p.m. kickoff, but there is optimism Williams will be out there.
- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith was added to the injury report Sunday morning with back spasms. The vet CB is questionable to play vs. Browns.
- The New York Jets expects safety Marcus Maye (calf/ankle) to play Sunday against the Bills, barring a setback in warmups, NFL Network's Kim Jones reported. Maye is listed as questionable and did not practice Friday.
- Green Bay Packers guard Billy Turner (knee) and safety Raven Greene (quadricep) officially inactive for the team's opener in Minnesota.
- Seattle Seahawks receiver Philip Dorsett (foot) and tackle Jamarco Jones (illness), who were listed as questionable, is inactive vs. the Falcons.
- Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson (knee) is inactive after being questionable all week.
- Carolina Panthers defensive end Stephen Weatherly (hamstring) is officially active for the team's home game against the Raiders. Cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver (hamstring) is inactive.
- Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook is a healthy scratch against the Colts.
- Indianapolis Colts linebacker Matthew Adams (ankle) is active after being listed as questionable.
