NFL Player News

Merling was as a starter on the first depth chart, but has been losing reps to Randy Starks and Tony McDaniel recently. The team is also high on Lionel Dotson. Miami may end up rolling with a heavy rotation at right defensive end.

Judkins has now missed two practices in a row. Cleveland’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Judkins’ absence yesterday, noting that Monken abruptly ended Tuesday’s practice because the defense was playing with too much physicality. Per Cabot, Judkins was “the object of much of the chippiness” that day. Monken said Judkins’ injury is unrelated, though. The second-year running back suffered a season-ending fibula fracture and ankle dislocation last year. Hopefully, Judkins’ current issue is unrelated. He could return weekly RB2 value this year, though RB Dylan Sampson could keep Judkins stuck in a run-centric role.

The Saints’ backup running back statuses continue to change. Veteran No. 2 RB Alvin Kamara (knee) is expected to be sidelined for at least one month, and RB Audric Estime is now sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Miller and RB Devin Neal (hamstring) both returned this week, though. Beat reporter Jeff Nowak notes that Miller, Neal and RB Ty Chandler were all allowed to rotate in for first-team reps today, as coach Kellen Moore presumably seeks out a viable primary backup for starting RB Travis Etienne. Per Nowak, Miller “looks sharp despite the time missed.” This is worth tracking for short-term bench stash purposes.

Rapoport believes Warren will resume practicing in “a week or so.” He also expects “Warren’s role to grow” in his second NFL season. That makes sense. Warren’s 106 targets trailed only WR Michael Pittman’s 110. Pittman left Indy to join the Steelers this offseason, clearing the way for Warren to be the team’s top target earner. The soft-tissue injury adds some risk to Warren’s profile, but he should still be drafted as a mid-to-high TE1.

Now we know why the Commanders’ receiving back has been absent at practice recently. White reportedly tweaked a hamstring during joint practices with the Dolphins last week. He worked out prior to Friday’s preseason game, but did not play. Garafolo adds that White has “excelled” in new OC David Blough’s offense during OTAs and training camp, though starting RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt has notably been praised for his pass-catching improvements recently.

This is terribly unfortunate. We expect him to be placed on injured reserve soon, and we do not expect him to return until 2027. The Ravens brought in Pinter and C Ethan Pocic, who is coming off a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture, to compete for the starting center role after losing C Tyler Linderbaum in free agency to the Raiders. Pocic, 31, has been a reliable NFL starter since earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2017. He earned a 62.3 PFF pass-blocking grade and a 63.2 PFF run-blocking grade before injuring his Achilles in Week 14 last year.

We try not to go daily with training camp injuries, but Nacua has now missed the Rams’ entire slate of Saints sessions. Coach Sean McVay had previously said he would return this week. That still does not suggest anything other than standard summer caution, but it’s of course worth noting. For now there is no reason to alter course when it comes to selecting Nacua in the first round of fantasy drafts.

Smith will undoubtedly only play a series or two, but it’s confirmation he’s over the “soreness” that held him out last weekend. Smith would have reportedly played through the “injury” during the regular season, so it was never believed to be serious. Any injury is worth noting for a 35-year-old player coming off a rough, rough year, but this one is in the rear-view mirror.

Shakir was sidelined from Tuesday’s special practice at Highmark Stadium and hasn’t suited up since. Coach Joe Brady did not divulge the nature of the injury. Like most ailments this time of year, it’s probably a minor issue where the team is opting for caution, but it’s good to “timestamp” these things, so to speak. Barely going in the WR5 range, 26-year-old Shakir could easily outproduce his ADP, though probably not to the extent he cracks the top 36.

Mauigoa left practice Thursday with members of the Giants medical staff. Leonard reports that the rookie offensive lineman is dealing with a stinger. While it doesn’t appear to be a significant injury at this time, it’s worth keeping an eye on until more information becomes available.

LaPorta mysteriously missed practice on Wednesday. Lions HC Dan Campbell told reporters Thursday that the 25-year-old tight end is dealing with a hip injury. They’re letting him rest. Campbell told reporters he doesn’t believe it’s a long-term injury and that LaPorta could be ready for the start of the regular season, but he isn’t sure. Already coming off a back injury that required season-ending surgery last year, LaPorta has picked up another red flag with a preseason injury.