NFL Player News

Jefferson un-retired in 2024 and joined the Chargers on a one-year deal. He ended up opening the year on the practice squad but was later signed to the active roster. He would go on to appear in eight regular season games while making four starts and racked up 27 tackles and one TFL in limited action. The team’s decision to bring him back doesn’t mean he’ll be a lock to make the 53-man roster. Jefferson will likely still have to compete for a spot in training camp.

Reed was a mid-week addition to the injury report because of his foot issue. He was limited for the final two practices of the week. Reed is likely on the optimistic side of questionable, but we won’t know for sure until the Lions release their inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

The Seahawks will roll with QB Drew Lock as this week’s starter. He is backed up by QB Jalen Milroe. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said he does not “anticipate” putting Darnold on injured reserve, so he should be back before Week 6. Lock can be treated as a volatile QB2 against the Cardinals this week.

Madubuike sat out in Week 1 after practicing in a limited capacity all week. Prior to his neck injury, he was a pivotal player on the Ravens’ defensive line. It seems as though he is still ramping up after a lengthy recovery.

Sitting out on a Wednesday is not the end of the world for established starters. However, this does push McConkey further into the questionable column. The Chargers signed WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling yesterday. Although Valdes-Scantling is unlikely to meaningfully contribute, the fact that the team felt they needed to bring in an extra wide receiver is slightly concerning. McConkey still has two days to get right. If he returns tomorrow, that would be great news.

Lane underwent surgery to address a fracture in his wrist and will now miss at least four games on short-term injured reserve. He will be eligible to return in Week 6. Ravens No. 1 WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) is also nursing an injury. Theoretically, fellow rookie WR Elijah Sarratt should be active in Week 2 against the Saints, though it is unclear if he would have a meaningful role if Flowers plays.

Murray was knocked out of Week 1 after just a few snaps when he took a late hit directly to his helmet from a Green Bay defender. A limited practice today means he is already making progress through the league’s concussion protocol. He is arguably on the positive side of questionable to start the week. Murray would be a borderline QB1 in versus Chicago’s awful defense if he clears the protocol ahead of Sunday. Carson Wentz will draw the start if Murray isn’t available.

That escalated quickly. On Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Mason’s “sore thumb” was being evaluated. Apparently, it had sustained a small fracture, which has now been “fixed,” ostensibly surgically, given O’Connell’s phrasing. Short-term injured reserve placement requires players to miss four games, but the Vikings are on bye in Week 6, so Mason will be eligible to return in Week 7. Mason led the backfield with 15 carries in Week 1, so his absence provides RB Aaron Jones with a touch-count boost. Veteran RB DeeJay Dallas operated as the RB3. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne was inactive last week, but should be active in Week 2 against the Lions. Speculatively stashing him could be worthwhile.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports McDonald is expected to return this season. McDonald was a core special teamer last year. He suffered a knee injury on his second snap of Week 1.

Tonges injured his MCL in Week 1. His return timeline has not yet been reported. With Tonges sidelined, TE George Kittle’s ramp-up period could be expedited. Backup TE Luke Farrell should also see more playing time, though he is not fantasy-relevant. The 49ers correspondingly promoted WR KhaDarel Hodge to the active roster and signed TE
Jack Stoll.

Burrow is seemingly set for a limited session on Wednesday. He is not wearing pads and is reportedly “doing handoffs in a helmet and jersey.” This could simply be a planned load management day. Burrow will speak to the media after practice, so we could get an update later today. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said earlier this week that his team suffered no major injuries, so there is no reason to worry at this time.