NFL Player News

Penning returned to practice after being sidelined for turf toe heading into the season. Returning to play in Week 3 against the Seahawks may be optimistic, but this is good news for the Saints’ offensive line. Penning received a 70.1 run blocking grade from PFF last season and his addition to the line should open up more lanes for Alvin Kamara. The incumbent starting left guard, Dillon Radunz, was sidelined in practice Wednesday with a toe injury. Penning and Radunz’s practice statuses will be ones to monitor for the Saints heading into the weekend.

Mason is firmly on track to play in Week 7 against the Colts. He should tentatively be expected to lead the backfield in carries right away, with Aaron Jones potentially settling into a 1B role. The Colts’ defense is not an imposing unit, so both running backs are FLEX-viable this week.

Bowers is usually a limited practice participant due to his knee injury, before upgrading to full and eventually playing. However, this week is notable as he was listed with hamstring and calf injuries instead of a knee injury. He was still limited as usual on Wednesday but the new designations are something to keep an eye on throughout the week.

In a semi-surprising twist of fate, the Raiders running back on the practice report with injuries is Washington, who was limited with foot and back injuries on Wednesday. Ashton Jeanty was not listed on the practice report. A limited practice indicates Washington is still trending to play Week 7, but with him appearing on the injury report and Jeanty off, any hopes for Washington achieving standalone fantasy value will have to wait.

McDuffie injured his groin during last Thursday’s practice and did not play in Week 6 against the Cardinals. He starts out this week not practicing, putting him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 7. Also not practicing was LB Nate Landman (concussion). The Rams defense continues to lose players to injury; the Raiders face this defense in Week 7 and could see more fruitful fantasy performances than usual.

Baker played through the groin injury in Week 6 but starts out this week not practicing due to both the groin injury and an illness. Also not practicing for the Cardinals defense were DL Walter Nolen (ankle), S Andrew Wingard (knee), and CB Garrett Williams (knee). Each player will likely need to practice in some capacity in order to play in Week 7.

Elliss suffered a lower-leg injury on his right leg in Week 6. Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that the injury is not season-ending, but did not rule out a stint on injured reserve. Either way, it sounds like Elliss will miss Week 7 and potentially more.

Kirk was limited all of last week but starts out this week listed as a full participant for the 49ers’ Wednesday walkthrough practice. He remains on injured reserve, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kirk is a “possibility” for Week 7. A full practice listing is a good start and Kirk could see WR3 volume immediately with Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel dealing with injuries.

Love starts out not practicing for the second straight week due to an ankle injury. He missed Week 6 against the Rams and a DNP Wednesday puts him on the wrong side of questionable to play in Week 7 against the Broncos. Love will need to practice in some capacity to have a chance of playing this week, but Tyler Allgeier is back in the RB2 range if Love cannot go.

Badie was a non-participant in practice with a thumb injury. With Jonah Coleman designated to return from injured reserve, Badie does not need to be rostered for fantasy purposes.

Waddle briefly exited the Broncos’ Week 6 win over the Seahawks before returning to the game. He now pops up on the practice report as a limited participant on Wednesday with a chest injury. Waddle is not in jeopardy of missing time just yet, but his poor fantasy production to start the season makes him a volatile fantasy option for Week 7 against the Cardinals.