NFL Player News

Dexter (6’6/310) was a 5-star recruit, the 3rd-ranked defensive tackle, and 12th player overall in the 2020 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. With a 9.21 RAS, Chicago will be able to mold him into a versatile weapon. Though his mediocre bench press numbers may suggest otherwise, Dexter is perfectly capable of impacting games with his explosion and violence. In two years of playing regularly, he amassed 106 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Dexter looks like a dancing bear at times with his agility to slip through gaps that seem to be meant for a much smaller man. However, he needs to work to anticipate both the snap and the intentions of the blocker in front of him as it often seems that he is reacting to the play rather than reading and meeting offensive players at the most efficient point.

That makes two missed practices for Taylor. Brutal. The rookie tight end led the team in targets (eight) just last week and leads the team across the full season with 64. Theoretically, his potential absence would put more work on WR Adonai Mitchell’s plate, though Mitchell flopped by catching just 1-of-6 targets for 24 yards last week and he could be stuck catching passes from QB Brady Cook in Week 15 against the Jaguars.

We’d be surprised if Neal didn’t play on Sunday after back-to-back practices, and he likely has a chance to be cleared from the injury report on Friday. Neal would make for an interesting RB3/FLEX play against the Panthers, though it’d surely help out if he caught more passes in the flow of the offense.

So it continues. Kamara has not practiced since spraining his MCL in Week 12. He looks doubtful to play in Week 15 after two more missed practices to open the week.

Tillman is on track to miss the team’s Week 15 game against the Bears, and does not need to be rostered in re-draft formats. The 25-year-old wide receiver has appeared in nine games this season. He has failed to produce even 55 receiving yards in a single one.

It’s his first practice since injuring his knee in Week 13, and a sign that he has a chance to be active against the Panthers in Week 15. We’ll check in on Reid again tomorrow, but this is at least an encouraging sign that he could make the questionable line on Friday.

Wednesday’s limited session was likely just a little extra rest for the franchise signalcaller. He’ll be near the QB1/QB2 borderline in Week 15 against a Jets defense that has been waylaid by opposing passing games all season.

Sampson missed last week’s first two practices, dealing with the calf injury. He suited up on game day, rushing twice for four yards and catching 5-of-5 targets for 64 yards while losing one fumble. We tentatively expect him to practice tomorrow and play on Sunday. Stay tuned.

Tim Patrick absorbed most of Washington’s role last week and would stand to absorb WR5/WR6 status if Washington misses again. He has gotten in four limited practices in a row and would seem to be trending towards playing, but perhaps a full Friday practice is what is needed to pull him off the questionable line at this point.

Njoku is on the wrong side of questionable now, expectedly freeing up extra snaps for rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr., who posted career highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (114) while tying his career-high target sum (10). He also scored one touchdown. Fannin is a locked-in TE1.

Bryant is officially in danger of missing Week 15’s game against the Packers after back-to-back DNPs to open the week. Marvin Mims would likely see a role elevation if Bryant missed the game. Troy Franklin and Courtland Sutton would probably also get more steady work if Bryant were indisposed on Sunday.