NFL Player News

Troy Polamalu’s backup notched 37 tackles and one interception in 2011. He has appeared in all 16 games each of the past three seasons.

Hubbard was the clearcut lead back for the run-heavy Carolina offense. Jonathon Brooks saw five touches on the day, and ran six pass routes for 29 routes for Hubbard, who was the Panthers’ primary red zone back throughout the game. For now Hubbard’s role in the run-first Panthers offense seems secure while the team eases Brooks into action. That could change at some point this season. Hubbard will be a locked-in RB2 option next week against a middling Falcons defense.

Okonkwo exited in the third quarter, and at the start of the fourth quarter, it was revealed that the Commanders’ TE1 would be questionable to return. Okonkwo has caught two passes for 16 yards so far, as the Commanders have struggled to generate much through the air.

Javonte Williams should see all the volume he can handle with the Cowboys entering Week 1 with a recent signee and a practice squad elevation as depth behind their lead back. There weren’t any other surprises outside of the lack of backfield depth.

Pro Football Focus charted Spears as playing just one fewer snap than Tony Pollard (26-25 for Pollard), though Pollard “won” the “touches battle” 8-5. There were no winners here, of course, as Cam Ward struggled to sustain drives in an ugly loss to a bad Jets team. Now things get much harder for Week 2 against the Eagles. The only good news for Spears and fantasy managers is that rookie Nicholas Singleton was healthy scratched this afternoon. Perhaps that will change seven days from now.

Even the lead up to the game did not come without its drama as Nabers was reportedly late to show up to the stadium. He would eventually make it to the field to test out his knee. The decision to play was left up to the talented receiver, who apparently felt well enough during his on-field workout to make his return from a torn ACL. Inactive for the Giants are RB Najee Harris, S Jason Pinnock, CB Nic Jones, OL J.C. Davis, TE Thomas Fidone II, DL Bobby Jamison-Travis, and WR Dalen Cambre.

Williams posted a semi-usable fantasy score, but the film was hard to watch. He dropped a perfectly thrown deep shot from Jared Goff early in the game and bungled a pitch later, resulting in a loss. Williams has had these types of games in the past and he generally rebounds well. Fantasy managers can keep him in their lineups for a likely shootout with the Bills next week.

Pollard “added” a -1 yard reception. With the Titans spending the entire game in comeback script, Pollard was played to a snaps standstill by primary third-down back Tyjae Spears, though Pollard won the touches battle 8-5. Rookie Nicholas Singleton did not dress. As feared, this is looking like a near-even committee in an offense that could barely support even a bell-cow back. Pollard will be a barely-there FLEX for next week’s rough Eagles matchup.

McConkey collided with an Arizona defender on an over-the-middle target in the third quarter and stayed down for a while before limping to the blue medical tent. A few minutes later he was being helped to the Chargers locker room. It would seem his day is over after catching five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in his first regular season game under OC Mike McDaniel. Hopefully the oft-injured McConkey doesn’t miss extended time.

Burden overcame a first quarter fumble on a bubble screen to finish second on the team in targets behind Kalif Raymond, who saw nine looks from Caleb Williams, just as everyone had predicted. While Burden’s 17 percent targets per route run was well below his 2025 rate, he should be more involved going forward in a Bears offense that might be trying to break the NFL’s single season scoring record, as head coach Ben Johnson mentioned in an August interview. Burden will be a top-30 PPR option next week against the Vikings.