NFL Player News

Coach Jim Schwartz put Cherilus in a practice rotation with Hilliard after what Schwartz called a “stupid” late-game penalty in Week 1. “I don’t comment on depth charts,” replied Schwartz Friday when asked about the potential lineup change. The Detroit O-Line was great in the opener, so we don’t love the idea of shaking things up. Per Pro Football Focus, Cherilus dominated as a run blocker against the Bucs. He was solid in protection, but was whistled for two flags.

Williams was technically the team’s No. 2 receiver today because of the absence of Adonai Mitchell. The role amounted to almost no presence in the box score as Geno Smith simply peppered his tight ends with the targets left behind by Mitchell. Williams is not on the fantasy radar for Week 4 despite the uptick in snaps.

Both Kelce’s catches and targets were his fewest of the young season, though he made them count on an afternoon where Patrick Mahomes dropped back only 25 times. Kelce notched a 48-yard catch-and-run on the first offensive play of the game, then finished off the Chiefs’ last real drive of the game with an 11-yard touchdown grab in the back of the end zone. Why he went so long between looks can be a question for another day. Sitting on 231 yards receiving through the Chiefs’ first three games, Kelce will remain a strong TE1 for Week 4 in Vegas.

Douglas was second on the team in targets behind only Mack Hollins, who saw nine looks from Drake Maye. Douglas got open and made a nice grab for his 38-yard gain — one of the only big plays for the struggling New England offense on Sunday. Though Douglas is playing a decent snap share, he should remain on waivers in most formats ahead of the Patriots’ Week 4 game against Buffalo.

Kenyon Sadiq was the primary beneficiary of Mason Taylor’s absence with a 7/105/1 receiving line, but Ruckert was also part of Frank Reich’s plan to replace Taylor’s snaps. He posted career highs in catches and yards while scoring his second touchdown since entering the NFL in 2022. Ruckert isn’t on the fantasy radar for Week 4, but he’ll be a solid role player for the Jets if Taylor remains sidelined.

Breece Hall suffered a thigh injury late in this game and did not return, leaving Allen as the lead back for the Jets’ final two drives. He touched the ball six times on the pair of drives. Fellow backup Isaiah Davis saw one touch in the entire game and it was before the Hall injury. His role would likely grow if Hall misses time, but Allen is the clear target in his backfield on waivers. Allen would push for an RB2 ranking if Hall is sidelined for Week 4 against the Bears.

Rodriguez remained the second option in the Jaguars backfield behind Bhayshul Tuten, but stole a short score from Tuten in the blowout victory. Through three games Rodriguez has been a between the tackles option who has next to no involvement in the passing game. He would only be fantasy viable if Tuten misses time this season. For now C-Rod is a decent stash as a contingency option.

Gordon entered this afternoon with only three touches all season, but was pressed into every-down duty after De’Von Achane suffered a potentially serious knee injury on the game’s opening series. Fellow backup Jaylen Wright was inactive with a foot issue. Gordon mostly held up well, though he himself briefly went into the locker room with cramping issues. He returned after getting an IV. With Achane evidently staring at a long absence, Gordon is a priority waivers add, though he and Wright will undoubtedly form a committee for this undermanned offense. The question is who gets the strong side. It wouldn’t be surprising if Wright assumed primary early-down status with Gordon changing the pace. That would require Wright being healthy, of course. We will keep you updated.

With Caleb Douglas sidelined with an ankle issue, talented third-rounder Bell finally broke out after totaling just one catch for 25 yards through the Dolphins’ first two contests. The No. 94 overall pick looked big and explosive with the ball in his hands, and could have had a much bigger day had Malik Willis been able to find him on what might have been a pair of long touchdowns. Bell’s box scores figure to remain inconsistent going forward — Willis is a dual-threat quarterback with a bevy of young, unproven wideouts — but he is certainly worth taking a flier on if currently un-rostered in your 12- team league. Bell’s pre-draft profile as a size/speed menace who only fell because of his torn ACL looked 100 percent accurate against the Chiefs.

LaPorta was a secondary piece of the passing attack in this game, taking a backseat to Jhamyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The two superstars combined for 16 targets while LaPorta and Jameson Williams were held to a combined eight looks. LaPorta has at least 44 yards in every game this year but no more than 52. With a solid floor established, all that’s left is for LaPorta to hit on a ceiling game. He remains a mid-range TE1 for Week 4 against the Panthers.

Thompson left the field after getting caught up in a scrum that initially looked like a potential head/neck injury. It was later reported as a hamstring injury, with sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson saying the 28-year-old safety was struggling to make his way to the locker room. It sounds like Thompson could face an uphill battle to return to the field in this one. The Cowboys’ defense continues to be dealt one injury after another. Markquese Bell is next in line to replace Thompson.