NFL Player News

This is a big loss for the Cowboys’ special teams unit. Todd Archer reports “special teams coordinator John Fassel became emotional when talking about” Bell’s season-ending dislocated shoulder injury. Bell’s 85.9 PFF special teams grade not only leads all Cowboys special teams players, it ranks eighth among 138 NFL special teams players with at least 165 special teams snaps. Bell will likely be placed on injured reserve by the end of the week.

Bowers will still need to test out his knee during pre-game warmups, but all signs point to him making his 2026 debut later today. The team heavily limited his workload during practice this week and could do so in his first game back from the late offseason meniscus trim. Still, if Bowers is active, fantasy managers have to get him in their lineups.

Xavier Legette (knee) remains a game-time decision. Both players were officially listed as questionable on Friday. Coker has gotten off to a red-hot start this year with 16 grabs for 204 yards and a pair of scores through two weeks. Even if he’s limited by the ankle issue, the production is too good to keep on the bench. He is, at worst, a WR3 for his date with the Browns.

Garrett attempted to play through the knee issue in Week 1 but was clearly bothered by the balky knee. He underwent a knee scope shortly after the Rams’ opener and was placed on injured reserve. It was initially expected to be closer to a four-week absence for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Now he’ll miss a bit longer than that, and Rapoport added that the team will be cautious with his return, so he could be sidelined beyond even the six-week timeline.

Evans has been trending in the right direction throughout the week, with Kyle Shanahan already telling reporters a few days ago that he has a good chance to suit up. The team officially listed him as questionable on their final injury report, but fantasy managers can assume he is playing for now. Evans could see his role scaled back slightly, but the 49ers are extremely thin at receiver, having lost Demarcus Robinson to an ankle injury most recently. Even at less than full strength, Evans remains in play as a fantasy WR2.

Schefter noted that a handful of teams have called Pittsburgh, so it’s likely more than just Dallas and Detroit. Porter has been locked in an ugly contract dispute with the Steelers since the early offseason, and the team does not negotiate extensions during the season. They also rarely guarantee money beyond the first year of an extension, which has been another sticking point for JPJ’s camp. Per Schefter, the Steelers are willing to listen to offers but want a “strong compensation package” in return. Porter is questionable for Week 3 with a back issue, though the team is simply calling it a matter of conditioning, casting doubt on the validity of Porter’s supposed injury. He has yet to play this season.

Collins injured his hamstring in practice last week and has already been ruled out for the second game in a row. He did not practice this week, so the Texans’ first injury report of Week 4 will be telling. Dalton Schultz will continue to vacuum up targets in the meantime. He saw 14 targets last week and caught 12 of them for 140 yards.

Pittman missed last week’s game with the foot issue and was limited in practice throughout this week. He was given a questionable designation on Friday. Pittman will return as the No. 2 receiver on a struggling offense, and he’s likely not back to full strength. Fantasy managers should keep him on the bench for at least one more game before getting him back into lineups.

Schefter noted that the team doesn’t believe he will need surgery, but it could be an option if things don’t improve. The team is listing it as a hip injury, but the main issue has been a groin injury which would presumably require core muscle surgery. That would sideline him for multiple months. Schefter added that Nacua could return as soon as Week 4 if he does improve. Nacua did not practice once this week before being listed as doubtful versus Denver. Nacua’s short and long-term status hangs in the balance right now. It sounds like we’ll know pretty soon whether this is a lost season or not.

Schefter noted that Williams could return sooner, and the timeline is simply an estimate from the doctors. Still, it would be risky for the team to rush him back, even if he is pushing to play. Williams has already been ruled out for Week 3 and Tyson Bagent is questionable because of a concussion. If he isn’t ready when the Bears take on the Eagles on Monday, Case Keenum will draw the start.

Warren was limited in practice throughout the week because of the shoulder issue. The team listed him as questionable on Friday, though he always looked more likely than not to suit up. He will see the bulk of the backfield touches with Rico Dowdle (toe) out for Week 3, putting him in the RB2 mix.