NFL Player News

Moore went down with the knee injury early in Pittsburgh’s Week 4 matchup with the Texans. He was unable to return to the contest. Fellow Pittsburgh linemen Chukwuma Okorafor and James Daniels were also sidelined for the first practice of the week. With Kenny Pickett attempting to play through a knee issue, this is the worst time for Pittsburgh lose multiple offensive linemen.

Kupp suffered an ankle injury and is expected to miss an extended period of time. Sean McVay told reporters earlier this week that Kupp was a candidate to go on injured reserve. Not placing him on injured reserve suggests he has a shot at returning sooner than the minimum of four weeks players are required to stay on IR. As The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue points out, there is also a limited number of times a team can designate a player to return from the reserve list. The Rams have already had several long-term injuries and may not want to use one of their designations on Kupp, whether or not he is expected to return within four games. For now, Demarcus Robinson is Matthew Stafford’s top wideout. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats and projects for WR3 numbers in Week 3.

Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Andrews expressed confidence that he will be able to play through the hip injury this week. Andrews was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. Barring a setback, he should be good to go for the Pats’ Thursday matchup with New York. Fellow offensive lineman Sidy Sow remains out for Week 3.

Mosley suffered a toe injury in Week 2 against the Titans and was carted to the locker room after limping off the field. The Jets also lost linebacker Jermaine Johnson to a season-ending Achilles injury. Expect to Patriots to attack the Jets’ weakened linebacker room with a heavy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson, per usual.

Pacheco was placed on injured reserve today. Reid ominously told reporters he didn’t know whether Pacheco would be back on the field “this season or the next.” The initial timeline was reported to be between six and eight weeks. Based on Reid’s comments, it could be much longer. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine are the next men up. Steele will get the first crack at the between-the-tackles work, but the team also signed Kareem Hunt to the practice squad. Perine’s role as a third-down back has less touchdown upside but is more secure than Steele’s job. Both backs should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

It’s Love’s first practice session since suffering an MCL injury in Week 1. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters earlier this week that it would be “ideal” for Love to practice before returning to action, so even a limited session on Wednesday is a promising sign for his Week 3 status. Malik Willis drew the start in Week 2 and toppled the Colts while throwing for 122 yards. The Packers’ passing game output will rise astronomically once Love returns.

Pierce missed Week 2 with the ankle injury and looks unlikely to suit up for the team’s Week 3 matchup with Minnesota. Joe Mixon is dealing with an ankle injury of his own. Cam Akers will draw the start if neither back is available.

Mixon suffered an ankle injury in the Texans’ Week 2 win over the Bears. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters he would be evaluated throughout the week. Mixon could still return to practice later in the week, but he does appear to be truly questionable for Week 3. Dameon Pierce is also dealing with an ankle injury. If both backs are ruled out, Cam Akers would be in line to dominate the Texans’ backfield snaps versus the Vikings. Dare Ogunbowale would also see some work on passing downs. Akers should be added in all fantasy formats.

It’s unclear why Jordan was placed on injured reserve at this time. He will be required to miss at least four games but could be out longer depending on the severity of his injury. His absence will keep Dalton Schultz running a full complement of routes and could free up a few extra reps for rookie Cade Stover. The Texans also signed Irv Smith Jr. to their practice squad today.

The Chiefs could have called him up for just this week but chose to sign him to the active roster instead. With Isiah Pacheco officially on injured reserve, Ingram appears to be in the mix for some reps on offense alongside Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. Kareem Hunt is also waiting in the wings as he gets up to speed on the Chiefs’ practice squad. Simply put, this is one of the messiest backfields in the league right now. Steele looks like the best bet for rushing work while Perine’s role through the air should grow sans Pacheco.

Downs missed the first two weeks of the season while recovering from a high-ankle sprain he suffered during training camp. He returned to practice in a limited capacity last week and was considered a game-time call for Week 2. The Colts ultimately held him out to let the injury fully heal before letting the young receiver back on the field. Downs’ return will take snaps off the table for one of Alec Piere or Adonai Mitchell. It’s not clear who will see their snaps reduced and it could be both players. Downs will rank as a risky WR4 for his 2024 debut. Mitchell and Pierce are both no-floor WR5s.