NFL Player News

Powell was no longer a usage-based option anyhow with Le’Veon Bell removed from New York’s injury report altogether. Ty Montgomery (hip/foot, questionable) would take over that role if active. Powell can officially be dropped everywhere since the Jets face Pittsburgh in Week 16.

Shipley now has a chance to suit up on Monday night against the Bears. With starting RB Saquon Barkley (stinger) and RB2 Tank Bigsby (abdomen) also practicing, Shipley may not get any work, even if he is active.

Bowers did not practice today, but head coach Klint Kubiak said that was part of the team’s plan for managing his injury. Bowers had been limited each of the past two days. It seems plausible given how often he’s being managed at practice that he’d be on a snap count if active, but that’s just our speculation. Bowers-reliant managers are used to having contingency plans at this point and that will remain the case for Week 3.

Bigsby is tentatively on track to be available for backup duties in the Eagles’ Monday Night Football game against the Bears. Starting RB Saquon Barkley (stinger) continues to practice, so he should be good to go for his regular workload.

Jones, 33, sat out on Wednesday before returning to practice on Thursday. He tweaked his knee in Week 2, but it is not going to sideline him this week. Vikings receiving specialist RB DeeJay Dallas will rotate in behind him, but is unlikely to warrant PPR FLEX consideration. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne is only a bench stash. Jones can be treated as a low-end RB2/FLEX.

He returned to practice today and practiced in full after missing Thursday to an illness. That’s not exactly a guarantee he’ll play; he was a healthy scratch last week behind Alvin Kamara.

Players aren’t always the most reliable source and Thomas may still be listed as questionable, but Thomas did practice in full today per John Harbaugh. The Giants star left tackle will protect Jameis Winston against the Titans.

Whittington is WR Puka Nacua’s (hip) direct backup, so he will be out there running a decent number of routes. Whittington has, however, never managed to establish himself as a reliable contributor. He does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues. Rams TE Colby Parkinson (knee) will be questionable.

The Saints will be without their gadget wide receiver and return specialist. His absence should allow WR Bryce Lance to consolidate routes in the No. 3 wide receiver role, but Lance is only a 14-team dart throw. Hopefully, Brown is back at it next week.

We do not yet know today’s participation level, but Etienne logged two limited sessions to begin the week. Hopefully, we get a report pre-game revealing the injury’s severity, so we can better assess his potential usage. Given the Saints’ prior backfield workload splits and Etienne’s soft-tissue strain, he should probably be viewed as a low-end RB2/FLEX starter right now.

He practiced in full all week and will return to his third-down role against the Chargers.