NFL Player News

Watkins checks in at a massive 6'4/338 and started 27 consecutive games over the last two seasons. Balance and technique are major issues, but you can’t teach this kind of size. Watkins is a project the Rams’ staff will be charged with molding.

Croskey-Merritt was a limited participant in practice all week but is good to go for Sunday’s opener against the Eagles. “Bill” is expected to handle the majority of the backfield rush attempts on Sunday, but how he factors into the passing game will be worth monitoring. The second-year back has reportedly worked to improve in the passing game this year and could turn into a decent three-down contributor if the Commanders trust him enough in passing-down situations. Until we see how his usage unfolds, Croskey-Merritt shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than an RB3/FLEX option against the Eagles.

Tua wasn’t spotted during the portion of practice open to the media, so it’s possible he takes the field later in the day. That said, his absence from practice on Friday wouldn’t bode well for his Week 1 availability after he popped up on Thursday’s injury report with an oblique issue. Veteran Cooper Rush took all first-team snaps for the Falcons on Thursday and would be in line to start on Sunday if Tua is unable to go. We should have an updated injury report soon, which will lay out Tagovailoa’s availability heading into the weekend.

Turner popped up on Thursday’s injury report with the hamstring issue, but head coach Zac Taylor said the fourth-year corner will be good to go for Sunday’s game. Turner posted career highs in pass breakups (18) and interceptions (2) last season while earning a PFF coverage grade of 78.1. The Bengals will rely heavily on him in Week 1 to slow down Baker Mayfield and a revamped Buccaneers passing game. While Turner is healthy and good to go, Taylor said DE Shemar Stewart (knee) is doubtful, making him unlikely to play in Week 1.

Bengals HC Zac Taylor said Higgins and fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase (knee) will both be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. Higgins has been dealing with a heel/foot injury in recent weeks but will be on the field for the team’s season-opener. He profiles as a high-end WR2 in what is expected to be a high-scoring game to kick off the Bengals’ 2026 season.

Chase was a full participant in each of the Bengals’ first two practices to start the week and is good to go for Week 1, according to head coach Zac Taylor. Chase can be trusted as a high-end WR1 for fantasy players in a matchup against the Buccaneers that should be ripe for fantasy points.

Gray suffered a concussion over the weekend after being involved in an accident while driving an ultra-terrain vehicle. Gray is expected to be back on the field after he clears concussion protocol, but his absence creates a glaring hole in the middle of the Titans’ defense. Gray totaled 164 tackles and one sack last season. His absence could lead to an increased role for rookie Anthony Hill Jr. on Sunday.

We’ll have a better sense of Brooks’ Week 1 availability in a few hours when the Panthers release their final injury report for the week, but the third-year back logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and is trending in the right direction for Sunday’s game against the Bears. If he’s active, Brooks is expected to split touches with Chuba Hubbard, which could put a hard cap on both players’ upside in the season-opener.