NFL Player News

Walker (6’1/243) hails from a football family, with his father being a former D2 All-American and well-regarded high school football coach and his brother being a DB at Georgia State. He led the Bulldogs with 5.0 sacks with 26 pressures in 2023 despite serving as a rotational player who logged just 126 pass rush reps. Walker finally got a chance to start last year and made the most of his opportunity as a hybrid linebacker/edge, producing 60 tackles while leading the Dawgs with 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a 17.2 percent pass rush win percentage. The Third-Team AP All-American was also adorned with the coveted Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker. A twitchy athlete with sudden explosiveness and enough power to crack and stonewall pulling linemen, Walker hones in on ballcarriers like a lion in the Serengeti. However, he’s also a cerebral, savvy player who takes good pursuit lines and is always in the right position. On the pass rush, he posted incredible 45 percent-plus win percentages with his overarm move, inside counter, and a ferocious bull rush. The big issue with Walker is his tweener proportions make him ill-suited for full-time edge work, and off-ball linebackers don’t have the same devastating effect on opposing game plans. Regardless, Walker is a premium talent whose versatility and high football character make him a safe and projectable talent.

The lanky speedster was placed on injured reserve late in August. He is not exceptionally talented, but he can contribute meaningfully to an NFL offense. Getting him back would help keep safeties honest. Stay tuned.

The Raiders will be without their star right guard for this divisional showdown. It’s an unfortunate loss. The Chiefs’ defensive tackle group is talented. Hopefully, Powers-Johnson can return in time for the Raiders’ Week 5 game against the Patriots.

Donald was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. His participation level on Friday has not yet been released, but clearly, he isn’t feeling up to playing this week. The Rams will also be without their No. 2 perimeter CB Jaylen Watson (shoulder).

Ferguson suffered the ankle injury in Week 3 against the Broncos and was taken to the locker room for X-rays. He was cleared to return, but only did so briefly. The intriguing youngster remains a worthwhile hold, but he could end up being questionable to play next week.

Nacua will return after getting in some full practices and should be a WR1 play, even against the Eagles’ vaunted secondary. McVay noted that they are still working through how they will navigate his snap count, so Davante Adams should remain near the WR1 line this week as they reintegrate Nacua. But nobody is sitting Puka Nacua in a standard league.

He didn’t practice at any point this week despite optimistic words from Kevin O’Connell and company. O’Connell said he just “couldn’t get there” this week and he will receive treatment over the weekend. The Vikings coach also noted next week — Jefferson’s return to New Orleans after a storied college career at LSU — is a “big one for him next week.” If they were going to rest him against one team, the lowly Dolphins make sense. Jordan Addison will get a bump and Jauan Jennings could be a FLEX option against Miami.

This one went under the radar. Allen was limited on Wednesday with a “rest” designation. He remained limited on Thursday, but the Colts tacked a groin injury next to his name while maintaining the “rest” designation and hope for a Week 4 appearance along the way. Allen was downgraded on Friday, unable to practice, and should be considered truly questionable to face the Commanders this week. Were he to sit, No. 1 wide receiver Josh Downs would get a helpful target share boost.

Same goes for TE Tip Reiman (ankle). LaFleur said he does not check in with the medical staff about them “on the daily,” but he “knows they’re doing well.” Neither player needs to be rostered in 12-team formats. Conner may be fantasy-relevant later in the year, but a lot would have to go wrong beforehand for that to be the case.

York offered the following statement: “To my family, to the players, coaches, and employees of the San Francisco 49ers, to our fans and partners, I am deeply sorry. This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility.” This wouldn’t appear to have any on-field impact for the 49ers. York will be able to attend games again starting in Week 10.

He’ll be good to go against the Christian Gonzalez-less Patriots. Moore is evidently still dealing with some soreness as he practiced in a non-contact jersey at points this week, but he’ll be a worthy WR2 in an elevated matchup.