NFL Player News

The Panthers also restructured DT Shy Tuttle’s deal, freeing up $10.7 million total. The team was more than $4.5 million in the red prior to the moves, which will allow the front office to address depth issues in-season.

Hopkins told reporters earlier in the week that he is dealing with a torn MCL and is attempting to play through it, with his ultimate snap rate likely coming down to pain management. Hopkins returned to limited practices this week after sitting out three weeks with an injury initially disclosed as a knee sprain. The fact that he tore his MCL does not instill confidence for the veteran pass-catcher to start the season, forcing fantasy managers to look for additional options if they are available.

Humphrey has experience in head coach Sean Payton’s system while Burton likely gets the elevation to serve as the starting fullback in Sean Payton’s offense. Neither is worthy of fantasy consideration for opening weekend.

McCaffrey was limited in practice throughout the week but reportedly avoided any setbacks from his strained calf. While it doesn’t appear he is any danger of missing Monday Night Football’s game against the Jets, fantasy managers would be wise to expect a slight dip in volume after McCaffrey sat out the final two weeks of preseason and was limited all week leading up to the game. That could mean additional snaps and opportunities for Jordan Mason with Elijah Mitchell done for the season.

Chase was already listed as questionable due to his offseason hold-in as he sought a new contract, with an update placed on that designation today that added an illness. It certainly appears as if Chase is legitimately questionable for the team’s Week 1 contest against the Patriots. Head coach Zac Taylor has already stated that the alpha wide receiver would be limited even if he suited up, which could place the team in uncomfortable territory considering Tee Higgins is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury that popped up on Thursday. Slot wide receiver Andre Iosivas is unlikely to see his role grow in the absence of the top two wide receivers, but he could see an increase to targets per route run.

Love went down awkwardly with just five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter in Friday’s loss to the Eagles, staying down on the field for a while before being helped off the field by trainers. Love appeared to be in excruciating pain prior to limping to the sideline. Initial testing ruled out an ACL tear while follow-on testing revealed a sprained MCL. Packers nation can breathe a collective sigh of relief after what looked to be a devastating injury. Love will likely require significant time to rehab the sprain but it is not thought to be a season-ending injury. Further word on the expected rehab timeline should be passed by the team in the coming days.

Skowronek should fill a depth role on offense while contributing to special teams and is not in the fantasy discussion for Week 1 barring injury. The elevation likely has a lot to do with rookie Roman Wilson’s absence for Sunday for a team lacking in depth at the wide receiver position.

The team elevated quarterback Sam Hartman from the practice squad in an associated move, who is likely to serve as the emergency quarterback behind starter Jayden Daniels and backup quarterback Jeff Driskel. Mariota began the offseason in a competition with the first-round rookie before injuring his pectoral, prompting the move to injured reserve. Even so, the 30-year-old journeyman was a long shot to earn the starting job over the promising rookie.

This was always thought to be the outcome ahead of their Week 1 game against the Browns, with the roster transaction making it official. Lamb, fresh off a lucrative contract extension, will look to bolster his numbers after finishing as fantasy’s top wide receiver in 2023. That path starts against the Browns on the road.

Gaskin is expected to play primarily on special teams while offering some depth behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. The Vikings carried only two running backs on the 53-man roster through cut downs, making the recent signing of Gaskin and his ability to also contribute on special teams a priority.

Justin Fields is still expected to draw the start against the Falcons but the team can now take the decision down to the wire with the release of inactives an hour and a half prior to kickoff. Kyle Allen should serve as the backup to Fields for as long as Wilson remains out.