NFL Player News

The Packers offered no details on Pickett’s injury following the game. Veteran Howard Green will have to step up if Pickett misses time.

Pittman was seen talking to trainers after leaving the field. They were seemingly focused on his right leg. Pittman has a chance to lead the team in targets, operating as a short-to-intermediate threat while WR DK Metcalf frequently stretches the field. The Steelers have the day off on Sunday and are scheduled to resume practicing on Monday. If he’s back in action then, this is likely a non-issue.

Please don’t let Slivon’s corny phrasing distract you from the fact that Hurst is playing well in the X-receiver role that the team drafted him to fill. While WR Jalen McMillan (knee) sits out, Hurst is reportedly displaying “amazing body control” while making leaping grabs, effectively “using his 6-foot-4 height to his advantage.” The third-round rookie is a no-brainer dice roll as a late-round draft target. He is not guaranteed to be a hit, but reports continue to be positive, and in-season rookie breakouts are always a big fantasy factor down the stretch.

According to Slivon, Gainwell “has not toted the rock much,” which sounds like good news for RB Bucky Irving’s rushing workload. Slivon believes OC Zac Robinson clearly trusts Gainwell “to turn those plays at or behind the line of scrimmage into bigger gains.” He could have a tough time delivering huge performances if he is only minimally involved in the run game, but in an era where the RB2/FLEX-viable receiving backs are becoming less common, Gainwell may be able to buck that trend.

Rapoport adds that he “would not be surprised” if Richardson has played his last down as a Colt, and believes he could be traded or waived, seemingly soon. Richardson was recently seen taking third-team reps at practice, and Rapoport wonders whether Richardson can really see pass rushers on either side of him or the receivers running routes downfield. Richardson famously injured his eye in a pre-game mishap with a resistance band last year, which Rapoport describes as “one of the most absurd and ridiculous injuries of all time.” He really didn’t hold back here. Back in May, The Athletic’s James Boyd used the “questions remain” line regarding Richardson’s eyesight as well, but follow-up reports have been difficult to come by. Richardson’s time as a Colt may be coming to a close, but finding a new team could be harder than expected if there is more to this eyesight story.

Colts coach Shane Steichen did not indicate who will start the game, nor did he rule out QB Daniel Jones (Achilles). Per Erickson, holding Jones would be unsurprising. Richardson was recently seen working with the third-team offense, so Leonard could have the inside track to start on Thursday.

Dobbs’ deal includes $475,000 in guarantees. The Lions needed a reliable backup quarterback after QB Teddy Bridgewater told the team earlier today that he plans to step away from football. Dobbs fills that void. Fantasy managers will remember Dobbs’ surprisingly positive play with the Vikings in 2023. Whether he could return to that form, if need be, in his age-31 season is unknown, but for now his signing addresses a team need.

The full quote is a bit winding, but Hensley said, “in 27 years of covering the Ravens, I’m not sure I’ve seen a rookie have a training camp quite like wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane.” This is high praise, though the qualifying language verges on hyperbolic. Regardless, Hensley adds that Lane “produces a highlight-making catch” every day and teammates are celebrating his successes. The Ravens’ offense generally supported two fantasy-relevant pass catchers under former OC Todd Monken. Repeating the feat with new OC Declan Doyle, whom QB Lamar Jackson is excited about, seems plausible. Could Lane step up and be the No. 2 pass catcher behind WR Zay Flowers? Only time will tell. The team was celebrating Lane’s red zone abilities back in May. Perhaps a FLEX-worthy season is possible.

Johnson went down while running a route in practice on Saturday and immediately grabbed at the back of his right leg. He appeared to be grabbing at the lowest section of his hamstring, but both the back of his knee and the highest point of his calf are possible. Johnson logged a 65 percent third-down snap share and a 56 percent two-minute-drill snap share last season. Starting RB James Cook (19 percent and 31 percent) and fellow backup RB Ray Davis (16 percent and 13 percent) were also involved in both scenarios. If this is a serious injury that causes Johnson to miss time, it could meaningfully raise Cook’s fantasy-scoring ceiling.

The former Packers practice squad player has played neither on offense nor on special teams since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He might be a practice squad candidate in Detroit if the team signs him and he can demonstrate some level of value this month.

Hopefully, we’ll get a clearer recovery timeline for Burden in the coming days, but it doesn’t sound like things were as bad as people initially feared after he was seen limping off the practice field on Saturday morning. The second-year receiver is expected to see a nice uptick in usage this season after having another year to work with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, and has an easier path to targets with DJ Moore now in Buffalo. We will be sure to check back in with any updates on his injury.