NFL Player News

The report clarifies which area of the body Fant injured on August 6th and his limited participation bodes positively for his Week 1 availability. The Seahawks’ tight end room thinned considerably this offseason, lessening Fant’s positional target competition and No. 2 TE Pharaoh Brown (foot) was notably unable to practice on Wednesday. Tight ends notoriously take a few seasons to develop and Fant was a highly touted prospect in the 2019 NFL draft. If his toe holds up, Fant has the potential to produce a top-12 season.

Fields is expected to start versus the Broncos this week. Russell Wilson is listed as questionable because of his lingering calf injury, but the team has prepared for Fields to start all week. It would be too late in the process to make a change, even if Wilson is healthy enough to play. Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters earlier in the week that Pittsburgh’s depth chart remains unchanged, meaning Wilson is the QB1 when healthy. However, it will be nearly impossible to return to Wilson if Fields gets the team to 2-0 and doesn’t make any major mistakes. For fantasy purposes, Fields’ rushing production puts him on the QB1 border for any start he makes.

McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve on Saturday after his Achilles injury worsened in practice during the week. A six-week absence would have McCaffrey return to action in Week 8 versus the Cowboys. However, the 49ers get their bye in Week 9, making a return the following week a more pragmatic timeline for the superstar running back. Until he returns, Jordan Mason will be the focal point of San Francisco’s ground game. mason ran 28 times for 147 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He did not cede a single carry to a backup running back. Deebo Samuel saw eight carries and ran for 23 yards with a touchdown. Needless to say, Mason should be rostered in all fantasy leagues and will project for RB1 numbers until CMC is back in the lineup.

Rapoport noted that Lattimore is pushing to play in Week 2 against the Cowboys, but the season is long and the Saints want to have him at full strength for the entire year. Reading the tea leaves, it sounds like Lattimore, who has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, may be held out this week as a long-term precaution. Dak Prescott and the Dallas passing attack should keep rolling versus an undermanned Saints defense this week.

Downs suffered a high-ankle injury in training camp and missed Week 1 because of the issue. He practiced in full on Friday, but, as Rapoport points out, ankle injuries are tricky and the Colts want to make sure there are no further issues after Downs returns. The team could hold him out one more week as a precaution. If they do, Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will start in three-receiver sets alongside Michael Pittman. Pierce posted the big game in Week 1, going for 125 yards and a touchdown, but both and Mitchell will get a few deep shots versus the Packers. Both receivers sit in the WR5 range for Week 2.

Reed was added to the injury report on Friday after being downgraded to a limited participant in practice. He was listed as questionable for Week 2. Reed appeared on the Week 1 injury report with the calf issue but played through it and went for 171 total yards and two touchdowns. The bigger concern for fantasy managers will be Green Bay’s quarterback play. Malik Willis is set to start, drastically reducing the expectation for the Packers’ passing output. Reed will top out at a WR3 ranking heading into Week 2.

Per Schefter, “Tagovailoa will be seeking their input into the severity of his latest concussion and the cumulative effect of the ones he has suffered in the past to make the most informed decision about his future.” Tagovailoa has an extensive and frightening concussion history and suffered yet another brain injury in Week 2 against the Bills. He walked off the field under his own power after colliding with Bills safety Damar Hamlin but did not return to the game. Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Skylar Thompson will take Tua’s place in the lineup if he can’t play in Week 3. That looks like a near certainty given Tua’s injury history.

Brown’s hamstring tightened up in practice on Friday and he was held out of Saturday’s session entirely before being listed as questionable. It’s a nightmare scenario for fantasy managers yet again as Brown and the Eagles play on Monday Night Football. If he is ruled out, managers will be left with almost no emergency options to swap to off the waiver wire. Falcons WR3 Ray-Ray McCloud caught 4-of-7 targets for 52 yards in Week 1 and would be the bet for those who take the gamble on Brown.

Nacua suffered a PCL injury in the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Lions and has since been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. Sean McVay initially believed Nacua could miss just the minimum of four games. Now, according to Schefter, the Rams are likely to be more cautious with his return. Nacua will be eligible to return in Week 6 versus the Raiders after LA’s bye week. However, that looks unlikely and so does the following week. The Rams face the Vikings on Thursday, giving them a short turnaround for Week 7. A Week 8 date with the Seahawks looks like the earlier possible date for Nacua to get back on the field. Cooper Kupp will be loaded with targets until then. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson round out the team’s three-receiver rotation.

Palmer was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being downgraded to a DNP on Friday. He was still listed as questionable versus the Panthers at the end of the week. It’s a great matchup for Palmer and the Chargers as the Panthers just gave up 47 points to Derek Carr in Week 1. However, Palmer’s reps could be limited and Jim Harbaugh is going to lean on his ground game. Palmer ranks as a risky WR4 heading into Week 2.

Williams suffered the injury in Week 1 against the Rams and was limited for all three practices this week. He played through the injury last week and posted a breakout performance of five catches, 121 yards, and a touchdown. Barring any surprises when the Lions release their inactives, Williams is a high-ceiling WR2 heading into a potential shootout with Tampa Bay.