NFL Player News

Hubbard was a workhorse for the Panthers last year, running for 1,195 yards on 250 attempts. He also totaled 43 receptions for another 171 yards, bringing him over 275 touches for the second season in a row. The team rewarded him for his efforts with a four-year extension midseason, but that doesn’t mean they are going to load him up with touches once again. The Panthers brought in Rico Dowdle in free agency and spent a fourth-round pick on Trevor Etienne. Dowdle split snaps with Hubbard during the preseason, alluding to a possible role for him on passing downs. Hubbard remains the only back with stand-alone fantasy value in Carolina, but he may struggle to live up to his lofty ADP if Dowdle or Etienne are more involved than expected.

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.