NFL Player News

Since Carson Wentz went down against the Chargers in Week 8, Jefferson has not crossed 70 yards or done better than six catches. J.J. McCarthy has somehow turned the NFL’s No. 1 wideout for two years running into someone who can barely get a chance to catch a dig route. Perhaps the Vikings will find a different quarterback ahead of Week 13’s game against the Seahawks, but if they don’t, we’re at the point where we just have to assume McCarthy can’t do better for Jefferson than a WR3 game.

The Bears’ QB1 Caleb Williams (hamstring) and QB2 Bagent are both sidelined, leaving QB3 Case Keenum to take first-team reps. If Bagent can clear the NFL’s concussion protocol soon, he has a chance to start in Week 3 against the Eagles on Monday Night Football, but Keenum looks like the most likely starter.

It seems like he’s trending towards playing, though Mike McCarthy seemed unsure about it earlier in the week. That’s two straight limited tags for Pittman. Friday will likely determine if he winds up with a questionable tag or not.

He seems well in line to play and, given Rico Dowdle’s second-straight missed practice, could assume the bulk of the load against the Bengals in Week 3. That sentence would have sounded better before Cincinnati reinforced the interior with Dexter Lawrence this offseason.

No surprise, as he was expected to be ruled out following Wednesday. The Cowboys also ruled out CB Cobie Durant, S Malik Hooker and S P.J. Locke, each of whom are dealing with long-term ailments.

Monangai dealt with a knee injury in August that sidelined him for multiple weeks. He logged 12 touches in Week 1, then managed a hamstring injury last week before handling another 12 touches in Week 2. The robust running back will likely be good to go for the Bears’ Week 3 Monday Night Football game against the Eagles, but Monangai’s practice status is worth tracking.

Williams is unable to practice today, as expected. Bears QB3 Case Keenum took first-team reps yesterday, with Williams’ primary backup, QB Tyson Bagent, having been placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Bagent did not practice today either. The Bears face the Eagles on Monday night. Keenum is currently the most likely player to get the start this week.

On Monday, Legette told reporters that he was scheduled to undergo an MRI. He practiced fully on Wednesday, so everything seemed to be all good. Evidently, he was not feeling well enough to practice today, though. Legette mostly serves as a distraction for safeties, though he did catch a 55-yard touchdown in Week 2.

Etienne suffered a high-ankle sprain in the final preseason game. He may return as the nominal No. 2 back behind Chuba Hubbard after Jonathon Brooks was injured in Week 2, giving him non-zero deep-league value.

Jones, 31, injured his knee in Week 2 against the Bears and sat out yesterday’s practice. The fact that he is back today puts him on track to play. He will likely be listed as a limited participant, but a full session would be unsurprising. Jones is backed up by rookie RB Demond Claiborne, who would likely handle lead back duties if Jones were to miss time, and receiving specialist RB DeeJay Dallas.

It sounds like Smith may end up being listed as a limited participant. We will learn more when the injury report comes out later today. Hopefully, this is just veteran rest as the Eagles gear up for a Week 3 Monday Night Football game against the Bears. Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks took a hard fall in Week 2 and missed a few plays. He later told reporters that he “will be good.” If Wicks is indeed good and Smith is not, Wicks would operate as the receiving corps’ top option.