NFL Player News

Johnson had been vocal about his unhappiness in the Steelers offense, and now he reportedly heads to the Panthers to catch passes from Bryce Young. He is due a $3 million roster bonus on Friday that the Panthers will now pay, in addition to taking on his contract, which will expire at the end of the 2024 season. Johnson posted 51 receptions for 717 yards in 2023, operating as one of the best receivers in terms of separation in the league. His production dipped to a career-low 10.3 YPR in 2022 with zero touchdowns after a 100-catch, 1000-yard season in 2021. He continued to face competition from George Pickens while seeing lackluster quarterback play in 2023. Johnson will be the top receiving option in Carolina, though his fantasy viability will still be capped to WR2 status while Young and the new Panthers staff develop the offense. The Steelers also send a seventh-round pick to the Panthers and receive CB Dontae Jackson and a sixth-round pick in return.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be active this week, it just opens his 21-day practice window. Kansas City’s backfield seems pretty set at the moment with Kareem Hunt as the lead back, Samaje Perine as the third-down back, and Carson Steele as a fullback/backup. Edwards-Helaire would likely only return as a depth piece initially.

Buffalo’s practice report will be worth monitoring this week, as Cook missed all three days of practice ahead of a questionable tag and then was not able to play. Ray Davis is a worthwhile waiver claim for Cook-focused managers if he’s available. If Cook does play, it will be interesting to see if Davis is able to make real inroads towards making it a committee after his breakout game on Monday night.

It’s an admission that normal snapper of snaps that are longer than usual Scott Daly may need some time off after suffering a knee injury in London. McQuaide will kill Cole Kmet’s value in points per long snap leagues.

Nichols suffered stingers in back-to-back games for the Cardinals and must now miss the next four weeks. Adam Schefter reported that Nichols is expected to miss the remainder of the season. He had started five of six games for the Cardinals on the interior line, notching just six tackles and one tackle for loss on the season. Naquan Jones and Khyiris Tonga will likely get playing time boosts.

Chad Ryland kicked for Arizona in Weeks 5 and 6 and should continue to be the team’s main kicker until Prater is healthy again. Prater will miss at least four more games with an injury that has already sidelined him the previous two weeks.

He’ll miss at least four games after leaving Monday night’s loss to the Bills. Clark had 17 solo tackles and one pass defensed for the Jets in six starts. Ashtyn Davis replaced him in the lineup after he left and would seem likely to step in to a starting role in Clark’s absence.

The 31-year-old vet appears likely to be an elevation this week as the 49ers try to fill a void at safety after injuries to Talanoa Hufanga and Malik Mustapha. Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum were the only two healthy safeties on the 49ers active roster heading into the week. Amos played in 16 games last year for the Jets and Texans and had 23 solo tackles and one pass defensed.

Smith was a sixth-rounder in 2022 for the Cardinals. The Patriots continue to see record turnover along the offensive line with two more injuries last week. Smith should find a second chance to play after starting two games for the Cardinals in 2022.

He was a roster spot casualty of the Amari Cooper trade. Valdes-Scantling, who turned 30 last week, had just nine targets and two receptions in six games for the Bills this year. He played more than 40 percent of the snaps just once, against the Jaguars in Week 3. He’ll try to catch on elsewhere. (Is he in good enough graces with House Rodgers?)

Tyjae Spears’ availability is in question. Only Julius Chestnut — a special teamer who has 10 rush attempts in three NFL seasons — joins Tony Pollard on the roster currently. Kelley has a chance of finding real NFL snaps for the suddenly run-heavy Titans as an elevation this week. Kelley was part of a huge running back workout a few weeks ago for the Titans and apparently impressed them the most.