NFL Player News

The release of Smith saves the Lions just over $5.7 million against the cap for this upcoming season. Smith, who was acquired in a trade with the Browns around last year’s trade deadline, totaled nine sacks and 35 tackles while splitting time with the two teams. He’s totaled nine or more sacks in two of his last three seasons, and his 63 pressures tied for 10th-most amongst EDGE rushers per PFF’s charting. Smith will be 33 at the start of next season. Given the exploding market for pass rushers, he may still be able to secure a two-year deal this offseason.

Winston has been a DNP in practice all week and has now been ruled out for Week 6’s game against the Colts. The second-year safety has started all four games he has appeared in this season, totaling 29 tackles and one forced fumble while earning a PFF coverage grade of 47.2.

Milton will join Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton on the Eagles’ 53-man roster. This move comes a day after it was revealed that Jalen Hurts would be out indefinitely due to a superficial blood clot that could sideline him for the next several weeks. Milton will likely serve as the Eagles’ emergency third QB on game days and seems unlikely to see any playing time at this point.

Cooper had his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week, but is officially set to return after logging a full practice on Friday. The rookie receiver could step into an immediate role for the Jets with Adonai Mitchell (finger) out for at least one more week, but he could still be a few weeks away from fantasy relevance. Cooper played on just five snaps in Week 1 before his injury, but did catch one pass for 30 yards.

It was reported earlier this week that Mitchell underwent a “small procedure” on the finger he injured in practice ahead of Week 3. Given that news, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to learn that Mitchell will miss his fourth straight game with the injury. With rookie Omar Cooper Jr. set to play in his first game since Week 1, Mitchell could face additional competition for targets when he finally returns to the field.

Things have been trending in this direction for Hall all week. The 25-year-old back was a DNP on both Wednesday and Thursday, and will now miss a third straight game as a result of his injury. Braelon Allen will again lead the Jets’ backfield this week against the Patriots and has handled 44 of the Jets’ 48 running back opportunities since Week 4. Allen will be a volatile RB2 against a Patriots defense that ranks 18th against running backs in fantasy scoring this season.

Slayton signed with the Colts less than a month ago but never suited up for the team on game day. The 29-year-old speedster was briefly considered as a candidate to replace Alec Pierce (foot), but he’s once again on the open market in search of work. A knee injury resulted in Slayton being scratched from Week 5’s matchup against the Steelers, so it’s possible he’ll have to prove he’s healthy before signing elsewhere this season.

Engram has not seen more than five targets in a game this season and has been held out of the end zone since Week 1, making him a difficult start in fantasy leagues of all sizes. He can safely remain on the bench in an enticing matchup against the Cardinals in Week 7.

Nix’s only incompletion when targeting Sutton resulted in the veteran receiver getting rocked over the middle of the field on a ball Nix led him directly into oncoming contact. Sutton vented his frustration by repeatedly pounding the ground following the hit, with it unclear whether it was due to the hit or the incompletion on third down on a night the Broncos struggled to move the football to the tune of only 168 yards of total offense. Fantasy managers likely aren’t utilizing Sutton as a weekly option, but will want to track his practice status ahead of a Week 7 meeting with the Cardinals if bye week fill-ins are required.

The fact that the 31 yards through the air led the team in receiving is a comment on the state of an offense that gained only 168 yards of total offense against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Even so, a relentlessly aggressive defense willed the team to victory behind a consistently positive game script, which allowed J.K. Dobbins to handily lead the backfield in opportunities. Harvey remains a matchup-dependent fantasy option best utilized in trailing game environments, which is unlikely to be the case when the Broncos face the struggling Cardinals in Week 7.