NFL Player News

The Cowboys’ depth chart has veteran Ezekiel Elliott leading the way with Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, and others competing in the backfield. In a projection of the Cowboys’ 53-man roster, Machota projects Elliott, Dowdle, Freeman, and fullback Hunter Luepke to be the team’s backs. He especially said, “at this point, it would be a surprise for Dowdle not to make it” onto the roster. Elliott will likely be the No. 1 back with the veteran status and production he’s given the Cowboys in his career. However, the 26-year-old Dowdle has been doing well in camp and now Machota has him as the “favorite to lead the team in rushing.” There are still preseason games to see the backfield pecking order, but Dowdle is catching some steam to be a major value at his current price in fantasy.

Smith is a four-year veteran who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, notably a torn meniscus to keep him out for the full 2021 season. Initially drafted by the Vikings, Smith spent last season with the Bengals and slashed 18/115/1 in 12 games. He will now try to latch on with the Texans, joining their practice squad. The Texans also added Scott Quessenberry to the practice squad with center Juice Scruggs banged up.

Buckner suffered an ankle injury Week 2 against the Packers and though X-rays came back negative, he will need at least four games off to heal. With Buckner being one of the Colts’ best defensive players, their defensive front has gotten weaker. He had 1.5 of the Colts’ four sacks this season and anchored a defense that was already allowing over 150 rushing yards per game. Taven Bryan and Grover Stewart will need to step up to replace Buckner’s production. DE Genard Avery was signed to the 53-man roster in a corresponding move.

Mosley left the Jets’ Week 2 game against the Titans, limping off the field before getting carted to the locker room. Now revealed to have had a toe injury, Mosley has been listed as a non-participant for Monday and Tuesday’s practices. The Jets play on Thursday against the Patriots, so his status is one to monitor heading into gameday. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports Mosley is “still experiencing discomfort” and he called himself “50-50" to play Week 3.

For the first time since 2022, Chosen will find himself looking for a new team. In Week 2 against the Bills, he failed to find any chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa and looked out of sync with the offense. He ends his Dolphins tenure with 5-131-1

It’s been a frustrating start to the young career of Lloyd who has promising skills. After finally getting to see regular season action, Lloyd went out with an ankle injury. He missed time earlier this season with a hamstring injury and now he’ll take several weeks to recover and get to full health. The Packers have signed Chris Brooks from the practice squad for more Josh Jacobs insurance.

Freeman lands in Cleveland after having spent training camp with the Cowboys. The last time he saw regular season game action was in 2023 with the Rams where he went 77-319-2. He’ll look to provide more depth in the Browns’ running back room.

The former first-round pick is without a team again after failing to stick with the Pats’ 53-man roster after camp. Reagor once again found himself in another crowded receiver room that no longer needed his services. He leaves the team having caught seven receptions for 138 yards during his tenure in New England.

After recently signing with the Lions’ practice squad, the Giants are bringing in the veteran kicker. Joseph will fill the void for Graham Gano who missed the Giants’ Week 2 matchup against the Commanders.

The Dolphins want to give Tua ample time to recover and progress as he goes through the concussion protocol. The earliest he could return is in Week 8 against the Cardinals, but the Dolphins have given him no official date to return. As reported earlier in the week, Tua has no plans of retiring as of now and will meet with outside neurologist before returning to play. There seems to be a decent plan in place for Tua and his eventual return.

The 34-year-old had been with the Patriots since 2017, serving as one of their defensive mainstays. However, he was released in the offseason after generating just 38 tackles and six total pressures in 2023. With both B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins getting injured in the Bengals’ Week 2 loss to the Chiefs, the team needed healthy bodies on the defensive line, and Guy started 111 of the 118 regular season and playoff games he played for the Patriots, so he has shown a knack for staying on the field.