NFL Player News

The Buccaneers added Bucky Irving in this year’s draft, giving Rachaad White more backfield competition. Irving had 186 carries for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Oregon Ducks last season, adding 56 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns. He was an efficient rusher, but his receiving skillset adds the most for the Bucs in 2024. White had 70 targets last season, adding a large boost to his fantasy value. It seems White will continue his workload heading into the season, but a “hot hand” approach could lead to Irving seeing a larger role. White is a high-end RB2 while Irving is a valuable handcuff and could see his own FLEX value.

The league’s concussion rules for players who have suffered previous brain injuries — like Tagovailoa — “puts return-to-play decisions entirely in the hands of medical experts, completely excluding teams’ coaches and football staffers from having any say in such matters.” Tagovailoa, 26, is reportedly not considering retirement after his fourth brain injury since the start of the 2022 season. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, meaning he’ll miss at leas the next four weeks. It would not be surprising if he was held out for much longer, however.

Latu is dealing with a hip injury he sustained in Week 2 against the Packers. The Colts defense, one of the worst in the NFL in the early season, can ill afford to lose Latu, the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts take on the Bears in Week 3.

Johnston has asserted himself as the clear WR1 in the run-first LA offense. He has seen 25 percent of the Chargers’ targets and 40 percent of the team’s air yards through Week 2, and scored two touchdowns on Sunday against the Panthers. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, per Popper, has encouraged Johnston to not be dragged down by the outside criticism that dogged him during his miserable rookie campaign. The Chargers have set up Johnston to use his after-the-catch ability this season. His rate of crossing routes has increased from 9.9 percent in 2023 to 19 percent in 2024, according to Popper.

Minshew connected with Bowers on a couple late scramble drills in the Raiders’ Week 2 upset win over the Ravens. Bowers caught all nine of his targets for 98 yards and almost scored a touchdown against Baltimore. He now leads the Raiders with 15 receptions through two games. Minshew, per Vegas beat writers, demonstrated chemistry with Bowers throughout the summer — a connection that has translated to the regular season. The team has used Bowers in creative ways. In Week 2, he had 15 snaps at tight end, six snaps as an outside receiver, and 20 snaps in the slot. As the 1B option behind Davante Adams, Bowers has a real path to the TE1 overall in fantasy formats.

Smith is a four-year veteran who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, notably a torn meniscus that kept 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 receiving line across two seasons.

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.