NFL Player News

McCloud has easily outperformed Rondale Moore, who was acquired in an offseason trade involving QB Desmond Ridder. While Moore has made some plays with Michael Penix in the Falcons’ second-team offense during camp, it’s the veteran McCloud who has functioned as the first-team option through the spring and summer. “I have the ultimate confidence in him,” Atlanta wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard said of McCloud. “I think he’s going to be really good for our football team.” McCloud worked primarily as a kicker returner in San Francisco before signing with the Falcons this offseason. His best receiving season came in 2021 with the Steelers, when he had 39 receptions for 277 scoreless yards. McCloud could benefit from what is expected to be a pass-heavy Atlanta offense, though he would be the team’s fourth or fifth pass-catching option barring wideout injuries.

Vele’s absence leaves the Broncos’ already-thin pass-catching corps in rough shape. The seventh-round rookie earned the team’s second-highest Week 1 target total (eight).

Collins was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday because of the illness. He was a full-go on Friday before being removed. Coming off a six-catch, 117-yard opening game, Collins sits on the WR1/2 border for his upcoming matchup with the Bears.

Allen played behind free agent addition Colby Parkinson in Week 1. Parkinson led all tight ends in routes in his first game as a Ram and hauled in four passes for 47 yards. Allen’s likely absence locks Parkinson in as a volume-based TE2.

Both Bolles and C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) practiced in full on Friday. It’s great news for a Broncos offense that faces the Steelers’ top-notch defensive front in Week 2.

Havenstein missed Week 1 with an ankle injury but is good to go now. It’s a good time for him to get healthy as the Rams’ line was decimated in their opener versus the Lions. Left guard Steve Avila and left tackle Joe Noteboom both suffered injuries that landed them on injured reserve. Havenstein should take over at right tackle with second-year player Warren McClendon Jr. shifting to the left side.

Baker’s Friday practice designation has yet to be released but thanks to the Patriots, the official game designations have been released. Baker was a limited participant on both Wednesday and Thursday. Seahawks LB Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) is also questionable while LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee) has already been ruled out.

Adams logged three full practices before being cleared from the injury report. It’s a revenge game for Adams as he squares off against the organization that took him sixth overall all the way back in 2017. Adams will start off in a rotational role for his first game as a Titan.

Sow missed Week 1 because of the hip injury and will sit for at least one more week. He started 13 games at right guard as a rookie and was projected to move to left guard in his second season. Michael Jordan (not that one) took his spot in the lineup in Week 1 and should do so again versus Seattle. Safety Kyle Dugger is listed as questionable because of an ankle injury.

Rhamondre Stevenson dominated the Patriots’ backfield in Week 1, leaving Gibson with just seven carries and no receptions. He is purely a backup right now and is nothing more than a fantasy RB5 for Week 2.

Walker will be replaced by No. 2 RB Zach Charbonnet, whose dual-threat skillset should at least return RB3 value despite the tough matchup. Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald demonstrated a commitment to the run game last week, reinforcing Charbonnet’s projectable volume. RT George Fant (knee) is also listed as doubtful.