NFL Player News

Azzanni heaped praise on Austin, who he deemed “a legit NFL receiver” who has been “overlooked” by the league and members of the media. Austin, according to Azzanni, will “bite your face off” as a run blocker and has show great toughness as a pass catcher. “Everyone else is battling for a spot and it’s going to be by committee,” Azzanni added. While Steelers coaches have talked up second-year WR Roman Wilson as a potential No. 2 wideout behind DK Metcalf, Azzanni made it sound like Austin as the WR2 is a done deal. Austin in 2024 had 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns. He was targeted on around 15 percent of his pass routes, a low rate by any standard. Whoever takes over as the No. 2 receiver in Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense will struggle to be fantasy relevant in a low-volume pass offense.

The back designation is new. He left practice with the training staff on Thursday. It seems likely that he reaggravated his existing back injury. Based on that, it wouldn’t be surprising if he remained sidelined for Week 2.

As it was with Chris Olave, media reporters for the Saints witnessed Young practicing early, so this likely came on afterwards. A midweek downgrade is never a great sign, and Young struggled through a calf injury early last season that sidelined him for some time. Still, it’s not completely implausible he’ll suit up in Week 2.

Olave was added to the injury report after not being on it at all on Wednesday. Saints reporter Mike Triplett said that Olave was spotted during the option portion of media practice. This is fairly concerning, though we have scant information on the injury at this point. Friday’s status will be enormous for Olave.

Wright’s return and OT Ozzy Trapilo’s continued limited participation are both great signs. The Bears will need Wright against the Vikings’ aggressive, blitz-based defense on Sunday. Trapilo is working his way back from a season-ending patellar tendon rupture and has reportedly been making great progress.

The midweek downgrade is never a promising sign, and the Jets were definitely hoping to have a full complement of pass-rushers against a beleaguered Packers offensive line in Week 2. Assuming this wasn’t a practice injury that spirals into an extended absence, we’d expect McDonald to be listed as questionable tomorrow.

Monangai’s continued participation is a good sign, but soft tissue injuries can be finicky. It would be really nice to see him practice in full tomorrow. If that is indeed the case, Monangai can be started as a high-upside FLEX. Continue monitoring his status. The Bears list RB Roschon Johnson as the next player up.

Swift should be good to go for the Bears’ Week 2 game against the Vikings, though ideally he will upgrade to full participation tomorrow. Swift has achieved borderline RB1/2 status at this point and could make the leap into the top-12. Bears coach Ben Johnson hopes to set the NFL’s scoring record this season and Swift should lead the team in touches each week.

In other words: He’s not actually practicing. It’s generally good news that McConkey has been spotted near the team, but we’re going to need to see a major turnaround on Friday to do better than a questionable tag for the 2024 second-round pick.

Okonkwo missed most of the second half of Week 1 and has not been spotted at practice since. There are probably better TE2 bets to lay for Week 2 even if he does suit up in some form on Friday.

Johnson is firmly on track to play. Illness-related absences are very rare, and the Saints’ No. 1 tight end is already back at it. The Saints face the Ravens this weekend, in what should be a high-scoring game environment. Johnson is a locked-in TE1.