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    ESPN lists Bears WR Thomas as ‘biggest surprise’

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    ESPN’s Courtney Cronin listed Bears WR Zavion Thomas as the team’s “biggest surprise” player in spring practices.

    Thomas turned in a 4.28-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine this year. Per Cronin, he has taken “ample reps as a punt returner this spring and showed that he can be more than a special teams star with his skill set on offense.” Bears coach Ben Johnson said Thomas was regularly making plays, but adds that they need to “make sure that we can trust him and he’s going to align where he needs to and run the route the way we need him to.” It sounds like Thomas is still in the developmental phase, but if he can refine his route running and prove himself reliable, he “could be a big weapon” for the Bears this year.
Questions will be answered in Broncos vs. Chiefs
Mike Florio and Chris Simms take a quick look at the Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs matchup on Monday Night Football, breaking down what they're looking for at the end of Week 1.

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  • CHI Wide Receiver
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    The score and the bulk of the yardage came on one play, a 97-yard connection with Tyson Bagent. Thomas has some of the best speed of any rookie wideout — or any wideout regardless of age — and while he’s dealt with injuries in camp, the ability to grab and go is apparent. He’s not likely to be a significant contributor to begin the year, but he’s someone who has to be monitored in this Chicago passing attack.
  • CHI Wide Receiver
    He missed about a week with a knee injury. Thomas has big-time speed and feels likely to connect on a few deep shots this year with Ben Johnson calling the plays, but he’ll likely need injuries in front of him to obtain fantasy relevancy. Especially now that he’s missed a chunk of training camp.
  • CHI Wide Receiver
    According to CHGO Bears’ Adam Hoge, Thomas went down at practice on Sunday, “briefly grabbed his knee and then walked off with a slight limp.” Hopefully, the Bears’ speedy third-round rookie only suffered a minor injury. Bears coaches were likely hoping to get an extended look at Thomas in preseason play after he turned in a strong showing in spring practices. Bears WR Luther Burden (groin) is currently sidelined, leaving the wide receiver corps somewhat thin at the moment.
  • CHI Wide Receiver #14
    Jahdae Walker could position himself as the No. 3 with a second-year jump, and third-round pick Zavion Thomas is also in the mix. This room will probably split the snaps enough to make them unappealing from a fantasy perspective, but it’s possible someone emerges as a WR4-type.
  • CHI Wide Receiver
    Thomas ran the third-fastest 40 (4.28 seconds) at the NFL Scouting Combine. He made the Freshman All-American team as a punt returner at Mississippi State in 2022. After transferring to LSU in 2024, he bagged third-team All-SEC honors as a kick returner. Over the course of his college career, he found the end zone as a receiver, rusher, punt returner and kick returner. He posted career highs in receptions (41) and receiving touchdowns (four) last year, while totaling 488 receiving yards. Thomas (5’10/190) profiles as an impactful special teams player with the Bears as a rookie. He may have to wait until 2027 or later to earn much of a role as a wideout.
  • CHI Wide Receiver
    Thomas is unrated for now, but with a full scholarship from Louisville, he will certainly end up with a star rating soon. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound speedster reportedly runs in the low 4.30s for the 40-yard dash. That figure would be absurd for a soon-to-be pro, let alone someone who has yet to even leave high school. Thomas could eventually become a speed menace for the Louisville offense, similar to Tutu Atwell recently.

Rotoworld

  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Rams HC Sean McVay said the team is undecided on whether or not Aaron Donald will play in Week 2 against the Giants.

    Donald was kept off the Week 1 roster for last week’s opener against the 49ers, and the Rams did receive a two-game roster exemption for Donald after he agreed to return. Speaking on Monday, McVay said Donald will “continue to work his process” and that the team will see how things look from there. With the Rams losing Myles Garrett (knee) for at least the next four games, it’s safe to assume they would like to get Donald on the field sooner rather than later.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Cowboys S Malik Hooker suffered a fractured bone in his forearm in Week 1’s loss to the Giants.

    According to Rapoport, the hope is that Hooker can return in less than six weeks. Hooker is meeting with a specialist to get a better sense of how long he could be out. Hooker missed five games last season due to a toe injury and is now set for another multi-game absence with this latest injury. Safety P.J. Locke is listed behind Hooker on the depth chart and played on 28 defensive snaps in Week 1 against the Giants.
  • LA Outside Linebacker #95
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    Rams HC Sean McVay said he doesn’t have a timeline for when Myles Garrett (knee) will return.

    Garrett will miss at least four games after going on injured reserve. The All-Pro pass-rusher is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee after struggling to play through the injury in Week 1. Garrett’s absence is a massive blow to the Rams’ defense, but they should have enough players in place to get through what they hope is a short time away.
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    Patriots HC Mike Vrabel said TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) will practice on Monday.

    This is an encouraging step forward for Henderson, who has missed the last several weeks of practice due to his injury and was inactive for Week 1 against the Seahawks. Assuming he doesn’t suffer any setbacks this week, Henderson should have a chance to suit up in Week 2 when the Patriots play host to the Steelers.
  • ATL Defensive Tackle #90
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Falcons DL Da’Shawn Hand is believed to have suffered a torn quad in Week 1’s loss to the Steelers.

    Hand exited in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and was initially believed to have suffered a knee injury. Hand is reportedly seeking multiple opinions on his injury, but if he did suffer a torn quad, the 30-year-old lineman would be facing season-ending surgery. Hand signed a one-year contract with the Falcons this offseason after totaling 29 tackles, five TFLs, and 1.5 sacks with the Chargers last season.
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    Jets HC Aaron Glenn said he does not have an update on Minkah Fitzpatrick’s groin injury after Week 1’s win over the Titans.

    Fitzpatrick attempted to return to the field in Week 1’s win over the Titans before officially being ruled out. If we don’t get an update before Wednesday, his status will be one to keep an eye on when the team releases its first injury report. The Jets will play host to the Packers in Week 2.
  • TEN Wide Receiver #0
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    Calvin Ridley was not targeted in the Titans’ Week 1 loss to the Jets.

    Ridley’s 25 routes run were good for third-most among Titans receivers in Sunday’s loss, but the 31-year-old receiver went without a target despite his team trailing the entire game. Any hope that Ridley would improve on last year’s 17-303-0 performance will need to be put on hold for now, as Ridley and the Titans offense as a whole struggled mightily in the season opener.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings do not know if Kyler Murray will progress through concussion protocol in time to play in Week 2’s game against the Bears.

    Murray was in a fencing posture after taking a hit to the head from Javon Bullard in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Packers. Murray was reportedly in good spirits after the game, but he will have to pass a series of tests in the coming days in time to be cleared for next week’s game against the Bears. While the Vikings are unsure whether or not Murray will be available, it’s not at all uncommon for a concussed player to miss the following week’s game. We’ll see how things unfold over the week, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Carson Wentz draws the start next week with J.J. McCarthy serving as his backup.
  • BAL Wide Receiver #4
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Zay Flowers’ hamstring injury is “not considered serious” after Week 1’s win over the Colts.

    Flowers will have an MRI to confirm the exact severity of his injury, but according to Rapoport, sources familiar with the situation said Flowers likely would have returned to the field if it were a playoff game. The Ravens held a 31-13 lead over the Colts at halftime, thanks in large part to Flowers’ 5-150-1 line in the first half. Flowers is reportedly considered day-to-day at this time, meaning he could have a good shot at suiting up for Week 2 against the Saints.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #88
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    Malachi Fields caught 2-of-4 targets for 25 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    The rookie wide receiver showcased a polished all-around skillset, reinforcing offseason reports that he had locked down the WR2 role opposite Malik Nabers. His 6'4, 220-pound frame was on full display as he was continually utilized as both a down-blocker and blocker in the second level on runs, something that should allow him to continue to operate as the clear-cut WR2 for the Giants throughout his rookie campaign. That said, the box scores highlights the obvious distinction that his snap rate — he led all Giants wideouts with 50 — won’t always translate to fantasy production while playing alongside Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely, the latter two of whom commanded 17 targets on 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. The good news is that he played well ahead of veterans Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr., with Mooney having 39 snaps and Beckham just 11. Fantasy managers are best off viewing Fields as a high-end stash at the end of benches for the time being.