NFL Player News

Alexander suffered a torn Achilles last season while playing with the Steelers and has played in just three regular-season games this year. The former Pro Bowler has totaled eight tackles and a force fumble on just 65 defensive snaps, this season, per PFF, and will now be tasked with filling the role vacated by Malcolm Rodriguez, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 13’s game against the Bears. A 10-year veteran of the league, Alexander brings plenty of experience to a Lions linebacking corps that’s been ravaged by injuries this season.

Penix was cleared to participate in 11-on-11s back on August 22nd and hasn’t logged much practice in camp. As a result, Tua Tagovailoa has been named the starter for the Falcons to kick off Week 1 against the Steelers, buying Penix some additional time to get practice reps and get his knee right before being put in game situations. Rapoport said the Falcons hope to give Penix “a couple more weeks” before playing him, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Tua under center for the first few games of the season before the Falcons consider a switch at the position. Tagovailoa struggled in camp and throughout the preseason and is expected to be on a short leash once Penix is ready to go.

Kittle was on the field on Monday when the Niners took the field to begin prepping for their Week 1 opener against the Rams in Australia. The veteran tight end has long been expected to play in Thursday’s game, so the fact that he was on the field doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Kittle was able to log a few practices last week, but could be on a bit of a pitch count in his first game since suffering a torn Achilles in mid-January. Assuming he is limited in some capacity, Kittle should be viewed as a boom/bust TE1 for fantasy purposes.

While most of us were asleep on Sunday night, the 49ers were already conducting a Monday afternoon practice in Australia. According to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, McCaffrey was not seen taking part in drills during the early portion of practice. It’s possible this is by design as the Niners prepare for their season opener on Thursday against the Rams, so we won’t read too much into this just yet. McCaffrey missed some time during training camp due to “tightness,” but seemingly downplayed any idea of an injury when he later said the time off during camp was “the plan from the jump.” This is something to keep an eye on in the coming days, but for now, we’ll assume McCaffrey will be good to go for the season opener. According to Maiocco, DE Nick Bosa was also not spotted during the early portion of practice on Monday.

Despite an up-and-down training camp, Tagovailoa will get the nod as the starter when the Falcons kick off the season on Sunday against the Steelers. Given the fact that Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was still limited at the start of camp, Tagovailoa had long been assumed to have the inside edge on the QB1 job at the start of camp, but Penix was still given a shot to compete for the job despite not being cleared for 11-on-11 practice until August 22nd. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, part of the decision to name Tagovailoa the starter came down to the fact that Penix “did not believe that he was ready” to play on game days. Tagovailoa shouldn’t be counted on in standard 1QB leagues at this point, and fantasy managers looking to add him in 2QB and superflex leagues shouldn’t view him as a long-term solution. It would not be at all surprising if we saw both Tagovailoa and Penix start multiple games for the Falcons this season, with rookie UDFA Jack Stand also being a dark horse to see snaps at some point in the season after an impressive training camp and preseason.

Popper makes clear that RB Omarion Hampton will be an offensive centerpiece, but Mitchell should have his own helpful role as well. Mitchell will be involved in the passing game, at times lining up outside and getting involved “vertically” as a receiver. Mitchell will need to maximize his touches if he is going to warrant FLEX treatment as Hampton’s sidekick, and his health remains a question at the moment, as he deals with an undisclosed injury. On the plus side, Popper did not mention the ailment at all, which could be taken as a positive.

Popper fielded a question about Hampton’s top-10 chances as a guest on the Locked On Chargers show. The metrics for measuring this feat were left undefined, but rushing yardage or scrimmage yardage are the two most likely baselines. While OC Mike McDaniel has teased a potential hot-hand approach, Popper has remained steadfast in his stance that Hampton is set for bellcow duties thanks in part to speed, physicality and scheme versatility. He warrants RB1 treatment right out of the gate.

Tuipulotu, 24, led the Chargers with 70 quarterback pressures and 13 sacks last season. He is scheduled to enter free agency next offseason. According to Popper, the team would like to see Tuipulotu “do it again” before paying him like a top pass rusher. Tuipulotu has already proven himself. He totaled 40 quarterback pressures and nine sacks in 2024 and 51quarterback pressures and eight sacks as a 2023 rookie. An in-season extension is possible.

This outcome is unsurprising, given his absence during the portion of practice open to the media. If Henderson is unable to play on Wednesday night, starting RB Rhamondre Stevenson would take on a sizable workload. Backup RB Corey Kiner and practice squad players RB Lan Larison and RB Hassan Haskins are the Patriots’ remaining backfield members.

Barmore is a pivotal player in the Patriots’ defensive front. He racked up 20 tackles, 50 quarterback pressures and two sacks last season. If he is unable to face the Seahawks this week, his absence would be consequential.

Wilson is the wildcard in the Seahawks’ backfield. If he logs 6-8 touches, he can reduce RB Jadarian Price’s and RB George Holani’s fantasy-scoring outlook. That said, he is third on the depth chart for a reason and can only be viewed as a mildly interesting bench stash in very deep leagues.