NFL Player News

Johnson had been having a really strong summer and even had coach Brian Daboll talking him up as a receiver who could be forcing his way into regular-season snaps, presumable at Kenny Golladay’s expense. Assuming the diagnosis comes back as an Achilles’ tear, Johnson’s season will be over before it even started. Johnson caught 10-of-11 targets for 123 yards in two preseason games before going down Wednesday.

Lane underwent surgery to address a fracture in his wrist and will now miss at least four games on short-term injured reserve. He will be eligible to return in Week 6. Ravens No. 1 WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) is also nursing an injury. Theoretically, fellow rookie WR Elijah Sarratt should be active in Week 2 against the Saints, though it is unclear if he would have a meaningful role if Flowers plays.

Murray was knocked out of Week 1 after just a few snaps when he took a late hit directly to his helmet from a Green Bay defender. A limited practice today means he is already making progress through the league’s concussion protocol. He is arguably on the positive side of questionable to start the week. Murray would be a borderline QB1 in versus Chicago’s awful defense if he clears the protocol ahead of Sunday. Carson Wentz will draw the start if Murray isn’t available.

That escalated quickly. On Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Mason’s “sore thumb” was being evaluated. Apparently, it had sustained a small fracture, which has now been “fixed,” ostensibly surgically, given O’Connell’s phrasing. Short-term injured reserve placement requires players to miss four games, but the Vikings are on bye in Week 6, so Mason will be eligible to return in Week 7. Mason led the backfield with 15 carries in Week 1, so his absence provides RB Aaron Jones with a touch-count boost. Veteran RB DeeJay Dallas operated as the RB3. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne was inactive last week, but should be active in Week 2 against the Lions. Speculatively stashing him could be worthwhile.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports McDonald is expected to return this season. McDonald was a core special teamer last year. He suffered a knee injury on his second snap of Week 1.

Tonges injured his MCL in Week 1. His return timeline has not yet been reported. With Tonges sidelined, TE George Kittle’s ramp-up period could be expedited. Backup TE Luke Farrell should also see more playing time, though he is not fantasy-relevant. The 49ers correspondingly promoted WR KhaDarel Hodge to the active roster and signed TE
Jack Stoll.

Burrow is seemingly set for a limited session on Wednesday. He is not wearing pads and is reportedly “doing handoffs in a helmet and jersey.” This could simply be a planned load management day. Burrow will speak to the media after practice, so we could get an update later today. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said earlier this week that his team suffered no major injuries, so there is no reason to worry at this time.

This all but rules him out for Week 2. Cooper Rush is getting treatment for the back injury he played through in Week 1 and can also be considered questionable. With Michael Penix not quite ready to return from his 2025 knee injury yet, the Falcons could be down to Jack Strand for their date with the Panthers.

Louis suffered an MCL sprain in Week 1. He was initially expected to miss a few weeks, and now that number will be at least four while he’s on injured reserve. The team signed cornerback Jaylin Simpson to their active roster in a corresponding move.

The fact that Bowers isn’t expected to practice today suggests Week 2 is not on the table. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim just before the start of the season and missed Week 1. According to Graziano’s sources, “The team felt he could have played last week if necessary.” That would have been an absurdly quick turnaround for a meniscus trim procedure, though Bowers is already known as a player who tries to push through serious injuries. Graziano added that the latest he thinks Bowers will play is Week 4, which is good news for fantasy managers. Michael Mayer will continue to start in his place until Bowers returns.