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In Carolina, Jonathon Brooks is cleared and ready to roll against the Bears with zero limitations. The running back has battled through multiple knee injuries to get to this point, and the Panthers are getting their guy back at full strength — no snap counts, no restrictions, just football.
Meanwhile in New England, the injury news is heading the other direction. Wide receiver A.J. Brown is headed to injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, and he'll miss a minimum of four games. That's a significant blow to a Patriots offense still finding its identity, and it puts the Week five matchup against Buffalo in serious jeopardy before the season even gets rolling.
And down in Atlanta, the Falcons are in a tough spot at quarterback before a single snap of the regular season. Both Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Junior are inactive for Week one against the Steelers. Tagovailoa had just been named the starter days ago before an oblique injury derailed everything, leaving Cooper Rush to step in under center.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
