NFL Player News

Littleton signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the franchise in March a the opening of the league year but ultimately was held off the team’s final 53. He spent one year with the Panthers after being released by the Raiders the year prior. Also waived or released were OL Tyler Beach, DE Thomas Booker IV, WR Jalen Camp, CB Cameron Dantzler, DT Khalil Davis, OT Austin Deculus, RB Gerrid Doaks, CB Cobi Francis, DE Ali Gaye, S Brandon Hill, WR Johnny Johnson III, S Darius Joiner, TE Dalton Keene, C Jimmy Morrissey, TE Jordan Murray, DE Adedayo Odeleye, QB E.J. Perry, RB Larry Rountree, LB Garret Wallow, WR Jared Wayne, P Ty Zentner, OT Rashaad Coward, DT Byron Cowart, OL Michael Deiter, WR Adam Humphries, CB Desmond King II, LB Christian Kirksey, DE Jacob Martin, CB D’Angelo Ross, TE Mason Schreck, WR Steven Sims, TE Eric Tomlinson, TE Nick Vannett and
DE Chase Winovich.

Nacua did not practice for the second consecutive day Saturday, prompting the questionable designation for Monday Night Football. The issue is now being called a groin ailment and is reportedly unrelated to the psoas injury he dealt with during the offseason. Fantasy managers will want to start making alternate plans for their first-round pick considering the Rams don’t play until the final game of the week. Jordan Whittington is listed as doubtful with a quad injury.

Davis was unable to practice all week with a neck injury and will ultimately be held out of the team’s Week 2 game against the Steelers. Pittsburgh will be without starting wide receiver Michael Pittman, so it will be interesting how the Patriots choose to deploy Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez could find himself in shadow coverage of opposing alpha DK Metcalf.

Pittman was unable to get on the practice field this week and will now miss Week 2 as a result of a foot injury. DK Metcalf enters the WR2 discussion in a difficult matchup on paper after ranking in the top five in expected fantasy points in Week 1, for an offense near the top of the league in pass rate over expectation in their first game. Third-year receiver Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard see an uptick in value, although both are difficult starts outside the deepest of leagues. Tight end pat Freiermuth can be started as a back-end TE1 in a pinch.

The news was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Cooper is going on injured reserve for an ankle sprain. He’ll be sidelined for at least four games with a designation to return. Rapoport mentions that Cooper should be back “shortly.” Cooper could still make an impact in the second half of his rookie season, but he isn’t worth holding in most fantasy formats at this point.

Appearing on the Rich Eisen Show Friday, Breer was quick to point out the Lions’ defensive struggles. Detroit has allowed 917 yards and 71 points in two games. Breer noted that while the Lions are dealing with injuries in the secondary, that doesn’t excuse their problems in the running game. Detroit has allowed 294 rushing yards, 4.8 yards per carry and four rushing touchdowns this year. While it’s still early in the season, Breer says the Lions defensive performance isn’t a “one-off” and that it’s been “messy” for a while. It was a stark contrast from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport’s take on the Pat McAfee show earlier this week where he said, “My guess is the Lions are going to be fine.” Lions HC Dan Campbell has pulled the plug on his offensive coordinator midseason twice in five years, but has afforded his defensive coordinators a longer leash. Sheppard was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator after Aaron Glenn was hired by the Jets prior to the 2025 season.

Rapoport adds that Noel is “really talented.” We agree, but the Texans have consistently played WR Xavier Hutchinson ahead of him. Noel, 24, is an explosive player, and the Texans will be looking for playmakers to contribute with WR Nico Collins (hamstring) sidelined this week. Noel is officially on the boom-bust FLEX radar in Week 2 against the Bengals.

Rapoport’s full quote is winding and hyperbolic, but it sounds like Boutte will be a featured receiver if the Texans believe he is ready to handle that role with WR Nico Collins (hamstring) sidelined. Rapoport notes that Boutte played in “the same” offensive scheme during his time with the Patriots, so adjusting to his new team’s playbook theoretically should have been easy. That said, Boutte caught just one pass last week. He can be treated as a volatile but viable FLEX starter in Week 2.

Giants RG Francis Mauigoa (shoulder) was limited as well. Both offensive linemen are on track to face the Rams in Week 2’s Monday Night Football game, which is good news for QB Jaxson Dart.

Whittington is WR1 Puka Nacua’s direct backup, and Nacua appeared on the injury report today with a hip injury. Neither player practiced. This situation is worth monitoring closely.

The Falcons have already named QB Cooper Rush (back) the Week 2 starter. Tagovailoa would only serve as a backup if he is somehow active. He does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues.