NFL Player News

Cooper (6’2/230) arrived in College Station as a four-star recruit during the tumultuous 2020 pandemic campaign and took a redshirt before assuming a more prominent role the following year. His redshirt freshman year started slowly with Cooper recording just six stops and seven missed tackles through the first five games. He flipped the switch down the stretch though, posting 22 stops and just two missed tackles in his last seven contests to garner SEC All-Freshman Team recognition. He slid into a starting role in 2022 and was productive enough to accrue 61 tackles, 8.0 RFL and five PBU for a decent 66th% PFF defensive grade. However, that was just a warm-up act for his terrific 2023 with Cooper accumulating 17.0 TFL, 56 stops (5th in P5) and 27 pressures (7th in P5) while earning First Team All-American accolades for his accomplishments. His 91st percentile PFF defensive grade was the highest mark of any linebacker in the nation, with Cooper emphatically staking his claim as the top linebacker in the SEC. The Covington, LA product dazzled Combine onlookers with a blazing 1.54s 10-yard split (95th%) and 4.51s 40-yard dash (97th%). Cooper’s 34” arms are unnaturally long for off-ball duty, but his 7.20s 3-Cone is a middling 58th% time and he chose not to bench. Cooper Led LBs in sacks thanks to advanced quickness and get-off off which helps to offset his height. Despite verified elite athleticism, he could use another 5-10 pounds to handle the rigors of the NFL game. Very crafty when diagnosing run concepts and works around blocks efficiently, but isn’t going to stun blockers with his power. Born hitter with sideline-to-sideline speed and range who wants to deliver a crushing blow every play. Cooper is one of the premier linebackers in the 2024 group and is well-equipped to be a key cog in the middle of an NFL defense.

The Raiders appear set to be extremely shorthanded at wide receiver with Davante Adams already ruled out. Tight end Brock Bowers is set up well for immense volume in Week 6, while the team is likely going to be forced to start Tre Tucker, Tyreik McAllister, and DJ Turner at wide receiver.

That provides another opportunity for rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to serve as the team’s lead back after gaining 129 yards on 18 carries to go along with one reception against the Seahawks a week ago. Tracy becomes a must-start in fantasy in Singletary’s absence.

Thomas will join rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders as the primary tight ends for the Panthers in Week 6 after Tommy Tremble was ruled out with a concussion. Neither are overly exciting for fantasy purposes outside of the deepest leagues.

Reynolds underwent “minor surgery” on his finger on Friday and was previously reported to only be looking at a minor absence. He will now miss at least four games while on injured reserve. This cements Lil’Jordan Humphrey as the team’s WR2 moving forward.

Estime rejoins a crowded backfield spearheaded by Javonte Williams, with Jaleel McLaughlin and undrafted free agent Blake Watson. Although Williams is the top option on paper, he has averaged just 10.6 carries to go with 4.0 targets per game.

Mosley managed a week of limited practices after missing the previous three weeks with a toe injury. He’ll look to return to action after a week of coaching changes in New York after head coach Robert Saleh was fired.

Conklin managed a full week of limited sessions and ultimately drew the questionable tag for Monday Night Football against the Bills in Week 6. Considering the timing of the game, fantasy managers could consider making backup plans at tight end this week.

Robinson faced an uphill battle after injuring his knee just before halftime in Week 5 and will now miss the team’s Week 6 showdown with the high-flying Ravens. It remains to be seen if Austin Ekeler will see a significant uptick in snaps and opportunities in his absence, but the team has shown a propensity to trust Jeremy McNichols with early-down work.

Samuel has played all but four defensive snaps for the Chargers this season, making his absence for the next four games notable. Expect 2024 fifth-round rookie Cam Hart to fill in for Samuel while he’s out.

Edwards had taken a back seat to J.K. Dobbins through four weeks, seeing 38 carries and one target to the 56 carries and 11 targets of Dobbins. Sixth-round rookie running back Kimani Vidal should step into the vacated snaps and opportunities left behind by Edwards for at least the next four weeks. The Chargers currently average 28.8 rush attempts per game, 11th in the league.