NFL Player News

Lewis joins ex-Dolphin Robert Hunt as the Panthers’ second big interior line addition of the day as they try to improve Bryce Young’s blocking. A 2020 third-round pick, Lewis was a starter for the entirety of his rookie deal in Seattle, but he was hot and cold with his effectiveness. He was reasonably durable, though he missed six games over the past three years. The Panthers are doing the right thing as they try to right the wrongs of Young’s awful rookie supporting cast.

Bears coach Ben Johnson said Williams will not participate in today’s walkthrough, but noted that Williams is “getting better every single day.” He also said he has not decided which quarterback will start in Week 4 against the Jets. Week 3 starter QB Case Keenum was victorious over the Eagles on Monday Night Football and nominal No. 2 QB Tyson Bagent has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported earlier this week that stud Panthers LG Damien Lewis (elbow) will be out “a few weeks.” The Panthers have a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Lions this week, but Freeling’s health is worth tracking.

Dowdle did not practice once this week before being ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Browns. The mini-bye ahead of Week 5 may help him get back on the field, but his status for next week’s contest is very much up in the air. Jaylen Warren will see the bulk of the backfield work versus Cleveland. he ran 17 times and caught three passes in Week 3. With an elite workload versus a middling Cleveland defense, Warren is a high-end RB2 this week.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said WR Xavier Legette (knee) is week-to-week, while Coker “is more day-to-day.” Canales adds that the team “has to see Coker move around before he returns to action.” Coker remains firmly in the questionable camp at this time. He might have a chance to play in Week 4 against the Lions, but fantasy managers should make a serious backup plan.

Canales said fellow corner Jaycee Horn faces a similar timeline. He suffered a torn quad in Week 3 but did not need surgery. Both players were placed on injured reserve earlier today. The Panthers will now be without their top two corners for most of the regular season.

Young visited the blue medical tent a couple of times after taking a cleat to the knee in Week 3 against the Browns. He reportedly underwent imaging to assess the injury. We never received an official follow-up report, but he is practicing in full already, so the imaging evidently checked out just fine. After years of frustrating performances, Young is suddenly a low-end QB1 against an injury-impacted Lions pass defense.

The team also placed safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring) on IR. Thompson was already expected to miss at least four weeks, so the move doesn’t come as a surprise. Bullard signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys this offseason. He has three combined tackles and .5 sacks through three games.

Jefferson seemingly has a chance to face the Dolphins in Week 4, but his participation level at Thursday and Friday’s practices should give us a better sense of his availability. If active against the Dolphins, Jefferson would be startable as a WR1 despite the injury. He caught 2-of-2 targets for 32 yards on seven snaps last week before exiting.

Ingram has missed the past two weeks with the groin issue. He should return to the starting lineup in Week 4 if things go well in practice over the next two days. With Nico Collins also getting healthy, the Texans’ offense could finally rebound on Sunday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that Collins had a “decent chance” to return in Week 4. Even a limited practice today is a big step in the right direction. The winless Texans desperately need a playmaker on offense and Collins is their only option. While he could be on a pitch count in his first game back, Collins has to be in fantasy lineups the moment he is cleared to play.