NFL Player News

Reddick missed the Bucs’ Week 8 against against the Saints with the same injury and was unable to practice this week following the team’s bye. The veteran pass-rusher will now target a Week 11 return against the Bills. Reddick has totaled just nine tackles and 1.5 sacks this season. In addition to Reddick, LB Markees Watts (hand) will also be held out of Sunday’s contest.

Johnston saw most of his targets after Ladd McConkey left the game in the third quarter with a chest injury. He totaled 61 air yards, trailing McConley and Tre Harris. The low-octane LA offense had just 27 pass attempts on the day, limiting every pass catcher besides McConkey. Johnston in Week 2 will continue operating as a high variance WR3 or flex play when the Bolts take on the Raiders.

Okonkwo exited late in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and did not play in the fourth quarter. Okonkwo’s biggest play came on a 15-yard gain in the third quarter, but he was otherwise held in check by an Eagles defense that gave the Commanders fits all afternoon. His injury status will be one to monitor heading into next week’s game against the Cowboys, where he’ll be a boom-or-bust TE2 if active.

Despite receiving clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver treatment late in the preseason, Tucker was not the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in Week 1. He nabbed a nice 21-yard gain and had another downfield pass broken up by DPI, but Raiders coach Klint Kubiak made sure to distribute the ball aerially. Treat Tucker as a boom-bust FLEX against the Chargers next week, in what should be a back-and-forth game environment.

Prior reports described Darnold’s injury as a hip issue, and the Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported last week that Darnold had suffered an “unusual muscle strain.” Florio cites a report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer from earlier today, in which Glazer said Darnold actually suffered a glute tendon injury. Evidently, the injury is so unusual that, per Glazer, the team is gathering four second opinions to determine a course of action. Darnold is not expected to require surgery, but missing four-plus weeks could land him on injured reserve. The Seahawks will not be required to make that decision until late next week, though. Regardless, Glazer said QB Drew Lock will start next week against the Cardinals. He is a QB2.

It was a forgettable first game of the season for McLaurin, who saw two of his four targets come on the Commanders’ final drive of the game. Those two targets resulted in his only two catches, as McLaurin picked up gains of eight and six yards on the drive, with his six-yard catch coming on a fourth-and-two. McLaurin and the Commanders faced stiff coverage from the Eagles all afternoon. Stefon Diggs, who joined the Commanders during training camp, led the way with nine targets and could prove to be a legitimate threat to McLaurin’s target share this season if today is any indication. It’s only one game, but McLaurin now totaled four or fewer targets in seven of his last 11 games dating back to last season. We expect him to have a more productive outing next week against the Cowboys, where he’ll profile as a fringe WR2/WR3.

“Bill” handled 59.3 percent of RB carries for the Commanders in this one. He saw two of his carries go for 10-plus yards on the day, but in large, Croskey-Merritt was held in check by the Eagles, as 11 of his attempts went for three yards or less. Croskey-Merritt found the end zone on a one-yard plunge late in the second quarter, but also nearly lost a fumble in the fourth quarter when the Commanders were attempting to tie the game. Fantasy managers hoping for an increased role in the passing game can find some hope in the fact that JCM’s 14 routes run were only one fewer than Rachaad White (15), per TruMedia, but White was the preferred option on third/fourth down by a wide margin. Croskey-Merritt will have plenty of RB3/FLEX appeal in next week’s game against the Cowboys.

Wilson nearly came down with a couple deep shots from Jacoby Brissett. He was clearly favored — as he was last season — over Marvin Harrison, Jr., who ended the game with just one grab for 33 yards. Wilson, who signed a huge contract extension with the Cards before the season opener, has a good shot of operating as Arizona’s No. 1 wideout this season. Brissett’s willingness to go downfield even against tight coverage will give Wilson weekly chances to emerge as a matchup-tilting wideout in fantasy football. Wilson will be a WR3 play in Week 2 against a tough Seattle secondary.

Williams’ 64 receiving yards were enough to lead all Commanders players in Sunday’s loss. The rookie third-rounder made his first catch late in the second quarter, picking up 16 yards to put the Commanders down on Philly’s one-yard line, which set up a rushing touchdown by Jacory Croskey-Merritt on the following play. He again came up big with a 33-yard reception in the fourth quarter to convert a third-and-14 that helped set up another Commanders touchdown, and on the team’s final drive of the game, Williams displayed good hands on a one-yard touchdown when he maintained control of a low, poorly thrown ball for the score. While Williams’ strong performance certainly warrants more opportunities, he shouldn’t be viewed as any more than the third receiver in Washington’s passing game. He’s an intriguing stash in deeper leagues, but there’s no reason to chase the points in next week’s game against the Cowboys.

Bech scored a 15-yard touchdown, running a post route from the slot, on the Raiders’ first drive, bouncing off contact before running into the end zone. Bech’s day was largely quiet outside of that, although QB Kirk Cousins overthrew him on another post route, and the ball was picked off by a Dolphins safety. Bech remains a touchdown-dependent FLEX against the Chargers next week.