NFL Player News

Solder reportedly hasn’t spoken with the Giants about his return. He opted out of the 2020 season because he was considered a high-risk COVID-19 case. Solder, a nine-year veteran, is scheduled to make $10 million in 2021 while costing $16.5 million against the salary cap. It’s no guarantee Solder returns to the Giants, who would save $6 million this season against the salary cap if Solder is released, and $10 million if they cut the veteran after June 1. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Giants will approach Solder about restructuring his contract. The Giants used their first round pick last year on left tackle Andrew Thomas, who corrected his early-season struggles and finished 2020 strong. Thomas was graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 27 tackle in 2020.

According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Claiborne and RB DeeJay Dallas will also be “part of the group” that backs up starting RB Aaron Jones with RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve. Dallas was active last week, while the team kept Claiborne, the rookie, inactive, so it stands to reason that Dallas could play more snaps than Claiborne. That said, some beat reporters viewed Claiborne favorably this summer. He can be stashed on benches in 12-team leagues to see how things shake out.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell ruled out veteran receiver Jauan Jennings, citing a death of a close family member. Jennings will step away from the team to mourn the passing, leaving Tai Felton as the player most likely to step into his vacated role when the Vikings take on the Bears. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should take on all the volume they can handle with the team also without Jordan Mason. Jefferson is a locked-in WR1 while Addison offers an intriguing upside-WR2 profile after putting up a dud in Week 1.

Wentz played serviceably last week after starting QB Kyler Murray suffered a concussion. The Bears’ pass defense looks like a unit worth targeting in fantasy. Wentz can be viewed as a QB2 with decent upside, though only WR Justin Jefferson can be viewed as the clear-cut safe fantasy starter.

Bowers returned to the practice field Friday but apparently needs more time before he returns from his meniscectomy surgery performed less than two weeks ago. Michael Mayer will once again serve as the primary tight end after ranking second on the team in route rate while leading the team in targets (seven) against the Dolphins in Week 1. Continue to start Mayer as a locked-in TE1 for as long as Bowers remains sidelined.

Reports regarding Murray’s progress in the NFL’s concussion protocol were positive this week, but it looks like he needs another week to fully recover. The Vikings will instead roll QB Carson Wentz as the starter in what could be a high-scoring game against the Bears. He is a QB2 for the occasion.

This is Kinchens’ second missed practice. Fellow Rams S Kam Curl (ankle) has now logged two limited sessions and should be good to go, but the team’s safety unit is ailing. They typically use three-safety looks, with DB Quentin Lake doubling as a safety and nickel coverage defender. The Rams signed S Tanner Ingle from the practice squad to the active roster. The Rams face the Giants on Monday night.

Jordan will make his season debut after missing the team’s Week 1 game against the Lions. Long snapper Zach Wood was ruled out after being added to the injury report Thursday with a calf injury.

Johnson posted a 3/54/1 receiving line last week and can be treated as a TE1 again in Week 2. Saints WR1 Chris Olave is nursing a hamstring strain, though the team is telling reporters that the injury is not concerning. Johnson could take on a slightly larger workload if Olave is at all limited, though we won’t know if that is the case until the dust settles and the game ends.

Wood was diagnosed with a Grade 2 calf strain earlier this week. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Kamara has successfully rehabbed his MCL sprain and resumed practicing in full this week. He joins a Saints backfield that employed a committee approach in Week 1. Kamara should be expected to play on passing downs. Whether he takes a meaningful rushing share and rotates in for red zone snaps remains unknown. He warrants PPR FLEX consideration with RB2 upside.