NFL Player News

The Panthers have a 1-3 start under Rhule, who is facing three straight losing seasons, and are 11-26 since hiring Rhule in 2020. Another loss to the 49ers in Week 5 could add fuel to Rhule’s already hot seat. Firing Rhule in-season would give Carolina an early start at finding his replacement amid rumors the team plans to make a run at Sean Payton in 2023. Ex-Cardinals coach Steve Wilks would likely serve as the interim coach if Rhule is fired. The Panthers have been the league’s worst offense through the first four weeks, ranking last in the NFL in third-down percentage (26%) and total yards per game (263).

The 2022 first-team All-Pro inches closer to a return from his Week 11, 2023 ACL tear. Hufanga’s Friday practice designation has yet to be released but he logged limited participant designations on Wednesday and Thursday after doing the same throughout Week 1. Hufanga seemingly has a chance to return in Week 3, though full practice participation is the likely prerequisite.

Jennings came up limping at one point in the 49ers’ Week 1 win over the Jets but brushed it off and finished the game without any issues. He quietly led the 49ers with 64 receiving yards on five grabs. His pace should slow as Brandon Aiyuk settles in after missing much of the offseason while holding out. Jennings is a desperation WR6 for Week 2.

Per Shanahan, McCaffrey had his worst day in terms of pain and health following Thursday’s practice, prompting the change in tone from the team. Shanahan had previously told reporters that McCaffrey would not go on injured reserve. The superstar running back was even practicing in a limited capacity earlier this week. It’s a nightmare scenario for fantasy managers who were expecting to get McCaffrey back sooner rather than later. He will miss at least four games if placed on injured reserve. Jordan Mason will dominate the touches for San Francisco for the foreseeable future. Mason turned 28 carries into 147 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He will rank as a high-end RB1 for as long as McCaffrey is on the sidelines.

The Texans went with Pierce as Joe Mixon’s backup in Week 1 and made Cam Akers a healthy scratch. Pierce didn’t appear on the injury report to start the week but was limited on Thursday and then downgraded to DNP on Friday. It looks like he suffered the injury during practice and is now at risk of missing Week 2. Akers would take on the RB2 role if Pierce is ruled out.

Vele’s absence leaves the Broncos’ already-thin pass-catching corps in rough shape. The seventh-round rookie earned the team’s second-highest Week 1 target total (eight). The Broncos No. 1 WR Courtland Sutton has strong odds of earning 10-plus targets though, with No. 2 WR Josh Reynolds likely playing through an Achilles tendon injury. He practiced in full on Friday.

Collins was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday because of the illness. He was a full-go on Friday before being removed. Coming off a six-catch, 117-yard opening game, Collins sits on the WR1/2 border for his upcoming matchup with the Bears.

Allen played behind free agent addition Colby Parkinson in Week 1. Parkinson led all tight ends in routes in his first game as a Ram and hauled in four passes for 47 yards. Allen’s likely absence locks Parkinson in as a volume-based TE2.

Both Bolles and C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) practiced in full on Friday. It’s great news for a Broncos offense that faces the Steelers’ top-notch defensive front in Week 2.

Havenstein missed Week 1 with an ankle injury but is good to go now. It’s a good time for him to get healthy as the Rams’ line was decimated in their opener versus the Lions. Left guard Steve Avila and left tackle Joe Noteboom both suffered injuries that landed them on injured reserve. Havenstein should take over at right tackle with second-year player Warren McClendon Jr. shifting to the left side.

Baker’s Friday practice designation has yet to be released but thanks to the Patriots, the official game designations have been released. Baker was a limited participant on both Wednesday and Thursday. Seahawks LB Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) is also questionable while LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee) has already been ruled out.