NFL Player News

After securing a picks cache for trading down from No. 2 overall, the Browns went meat and potatoes for what is still their highest pick since 2018. A certified havoc engine on Michigan’s defensive front, Graham (6’3/318) evolved into one of the most disruptive interior presences in college football. With a burly build and a wrestling background that shows up in his elite leverage and balance, Graham logged a stellar 91.1 overall PFF grade in 2024, bolstered by a jaw-dropping 92.6 run defense grade. He’s the rare DT who consistently wins early in reps, leveraging his 81.1 pass rush grade with violent, accurate hands and an elite first step that slingshots him past lateral blocks. Despite lacking prototypical length, Graham compensates with a nonstop motor, lateral twitch, and a nose for the football. He logged 30 defensive stops and 20 hurries in 2024, showing disruptive consistency whether aligned in three tech or shading out to five tech. His ability to two-gap and stack versus power run schemes is already NFL-caliber, as evidenced by his standout play against Texas. Graham is a film junkie who routinely diagnoses screens and play-action, evident in his instinctive recognition and pursuit. However, his modest sack production (3.5 in 2024) underscores his limitations in length and closing burst on longer-developing plays. He projects as an immediate starter for even-front schemes seeking a high-floor, high-effort penetrator. While Graham may never lead your team in sacks, he’ll anchor your line with blue-collar toughness, technical refinement, and violent trench play.

Monangai seemingly winds up on the injury report every other week, but he keeps playing and keeps playing well. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him listed again this week, but it sounds like he’s very much in line to play against the Packers.

It’s hard to know what to make of this, but Douglas has missed back-to-back games with his injury and could be at risk of missing a third straight game if he can’t get on the practice field ahead of Week 5’s game against the Bengals. Douglas did not practice at all last week, so even getting on the field in a limited capacity would be an improvement. His name will be one to keep an eye on when the Dolphins release their first injury report on Wednesday.

Thornton is having surgery “within the week” with the hopes of being able to return late in the season or in the playoffs for the Chiefs. Xavier Worthy will likely shift up in the target pecking order absent an outside addition. Cyrus Allen could also get more run than he has over the first month of the season.

Smith’s 21-day practice window will now open, giving the team three weeks to officially activate him from IR or rule him out for the season. Smith was placed on injured reserve before the start of the season after undergoing surgery to correct an issue that he had previously put off. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler and 2023 second-team All-Pro can be activated at any time.

Phillips went down with a hamstring injury late in Sunday’s game against the Lions and didn’t return to the field. For a player with Phillips’ injury history, there were immediate concerns regarding the severity of the injury, but with a Week 5 bye on tap, the hope is Phillips won’t miss much time, if any. Phillips has totaled two sacks in his first four games of the season. In addition to Phillips, the team is also hopeful that OT Monroe Freeling (knee) will be able to return in Week 6.

Greenard was downgraded from questionable return to doubtful during last week’s loss to the Rams, but it sounds like he’ll have a chance to suit up in Week 5 against the Jaguars if he’s able to log a few days of practice this week. Greenard missed the first two games of this season due to an oblique injury and has totaled just one tackle on the year.

Barkley went down early in Sunday’s loss to the Rams and did not return to the game. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said earlier on Monday that Barkley’s injury “does not seem to be overly serious,” but with the Eagles taking on the Jaguars in London next week, it wouldn’t be surprising if he missed at least one game. Backup Tank Bigsby led the Eagles with 55 rushing yards on 14 carries and could be a viable RB2 if Barkley is out.

He’ll be eligible to return in Week 9. Harmon had shown some increased pass rush ability in his four games so far this season and this is a tough loss for the Steelers defense in the short-term.

The Ravens didn’t have the results of the imaging yet and punted on a real answer here, meaning we’ll have plenty more updates on Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury as the week goes on. This will probably get a sourced update tonight and, if not, then on Tuesday. Welcome back to LamarWatch, a subsidiary of Rotoworld industries.

Chase exited Week 4’s game against the Jaguars with a brain injury and didn’t return to the game. He will now need to clear a series of tests in the coming days if he hopes to be cleared in time to play in the Bengals’ Week 5 game against the Dolphins. Chase caught three passes for 27 yards before leaving Sunday’s game against the Jaguars and has caught 21 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns this season. If he’s unable to play, Dohnte Meyers, who has seen 14 targets over the last two weeks, could be worth a stash in deeper leagues with Tee Higgins (adductor) also considered day-to-day to start the week.