NFL Player News

Widely viewed as a late first-round in the mock-draft circuit, Randle was the last player left in the Green Room. Although Randle showed consistent separation in the SEC, his relative slow forty times at the Combine may have sabotaged his draft stock. On the positive side, NFL Films guru Greg Cosell compares Randle to Hakeem Nicks in terms of “athletic movement and deceptive vertical deep speed.” A superior talent to Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan, Randle should have the upper hand on the No. 3 role, with Victor Cruz moving inside to the slot in three-wide sets.

This was expected to be the case but is now confirmed by sources close to the team. Williams returns after missing the previous three games as the Bears look to claw their way back into contention in a crowded NFC North division. Consider it a sizable boost for all Chicago pass catchers.

Brown makes his return from a four-game absence following a Week 1 injury to his ankle, reintegrating into an offense that has found their stride in recent weeks. After leading the league in turnovers through the first three games, quarterback Drake Maye has accounted for a league-leading eight touchdowns since Week 4. Although Brown could be on a snap count in his first game back, fantasy managers have to be feeling ecstatic to get their second round pick back on the field.

Whelp, that reversed course quickly. It was reported earlier Saturday that the team was not planning on placing their franchise quarterback on injured reserve, with the team going back on those comments less than seven hours later. Although not yet fully evident, it appears as if additional information was ascertained during the day. There is no telling how long Hurts will be away from the team, with most recent reporting simply labeling it an “indefinite” absence. Tanner McKee steps into the starting role and could be worthy of deep league consideration as a QB2, for the foreseeable future.

Mariota will miss his second straight contest and third of the season when the Commanders face the 49ers on Monday Night Football. Athan Kaliakmanis will continue to serve as the primary backup.

Wilson suffered a dislocated finger in the team’s Week 5 game against the Colts and will now miss four games, at minimum, while on injured reserve. His absence paves the way for rookie Germie Bernard to continue to see increased opportunities. Fantasy managers can start Bernard as a viable FLEX option in Week 6 against the pass-funnel Buccaneers.

Diggs returned to the practice field Friday as a limited participant, following it with another practice with the same status a day later. The listed his as questionable for Monday Night Football against the 49ers as he attempts to return from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Fantasy managers might be better off playing it safe considering the timing of the game.

No surprise here. Croskey-Merritt has been dealing with a groin injury since the start of the season. This week he couldn’t practice and has since been officially ruled out for the Commanders’ Monday Night Football matchup against the 49ers. Croskey-Merritt will get a two-week break with Washington on bye in Week 7. Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler figure to handle the majority of the backfield touches in his absence with White being the preferred fantasy option between the two.

Freiermuth popped up on the injury report Saturday afternoon with a calf injury. He’s questionable for this weekend against the Buccaneers. Freiermuth would’ve been in line for a sizable workload with the Steelers down multiple wide receivers. Coming off a two touchdown performance in Week 5, fantasy managers need a backup plan in case Freiermuth is ultimately ruled out against Tampa Bay.

Good news. Metcalf missed practice Friday and was listed as questionable, but has since been removed from the injury report and is expected to play this week. With the Steelers missing Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek, Metcalf could see even more targets than usual against Tampa Bay.

While nothing is official yet, Lane practiced in full all week, which is another good sign for his availability against the Browns this weekend. Lane was one of the most impressive rookies this offseason and preseason. Rashod Bateman isn’t on the injury report, but missed practice during the week with a shoulder. Lane could conceivably operate as the second option in the Ravens passing game behind Zay Flowers as early as this week.