NFL Player News

Likely, an unrestricted free agent, could see interest from multiple teams this spring, including the Commanders, who are likely to move on from veteran TE Zach Ertz after his catastrophic knee injury in 2025. “Likely would bring more upside with his catch-and-run ability. A move player in the formation, Likely would also be schemed to create underneath one-on-ones,” Bowen said. In his four seasons with the Ravens, Likely popped off a few times in a run-heavy offense, usually when Mark Andrews was sidelined. Likely since the start of the 2024 season ranks fourth among all tight ends in ESPN’s open score, which measures a player’s ability to separate from defenders. He would be an intriguing fantasy option as an every-down player in Washington.

Vacchiano explores myriad trade options that the Giants could explore in a lengthy article, but ultimately determines that rolling with Winston, while QB Jaxson Dart (knee) is sidelined, is the team’s best course of action. According to Vacchiano, the Giants viewed Winston “as a solid veteran who was smart and talented enough to get them through a short stretch if Dart went down” when they signed him to a two-year, $13 million contract extension two weeks ago. “Their faith gets shakier when it’s a long-term proposition they were hoping to avoid,” but alas, this appears to be the situation the team is currently facing. If Winston can return to something resembling his 2019 Buccaneers form, when he posted a 5,109/33/30 passing stat line en route to an overall QB3 finish, he could facilitate usable outings for Giants pass catchers. Betting on that exact outcome is unwise, but Winston could be a QB1 streamer in the right situation.

Rapoport wrote that “there is a good chance” Bowers returns this week as the caption for his NFL Network segment. He used stronger language in the actual segment, telling viewers to “expect” Bowers to be on the field when the Raiders travel to New Orleans for a date with the Saints this week. The Raiders’ top pass catcher should be treated as an elite TE1 upon his return.

Johnson has turned 14 touches into 103 scrimmage yards thus far. Evidently pleased with his fifth-round rookie, Reid wants to keep “allowing Emmett to grow,” in turn taking “a little bit of load off” starting RB Kenneth Walker. Reid notes that Walker wants the ball on every play and is not asking for a lighter workload, but Reid is seeking “a nice balance with those two in there,” which “keeps them even more fresh as the season goes on.” Walker, of course, remains an elite RB1. Johnson, however, should be rostered in all 12-team leagues as a high-upside bench stash that could return standalone value before long.

To be clear, Rapoport’s tone was controlled and cautionary here. Darnold can only be considered questionable, at best. The Seahawks’ quarterback “is healing faster than anyone had imagined,” but Rapoport adds that the team wants to be “cautious” with him. Backup QB Drew Lock should probably be viewed as the presumptive Week 3 starter at this time, but it sounds like Darnold can reasonably be expected to play in Week 4 at the latest.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cooks is signing with the 49ers’ practice squad initially “to get up to speed for games.” Cooks, 32, posted a 24/279/0 receiving line in the regular season last year, before chipping in five catches for 78 yards in two playoff games. He is perhaps unlikely to be fantasy-relevant right away, but there is a real chance he could work his way into the 49ers’ wide receiver rotation, given their influx of injuries at the position.

Bachie logged 157 defensive snaps and 260 special teams snaps with the Titans last season. He has not played at all defensively for Detroit, but logged 32 special teams snaps. He could return via the practice squad.

Reports have varied as to whether Reed suffered a neck injury or a back injury. Today, the Packers’ head coach clarified that Reed indeed suffered a neck injury. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Reed is back in Green Bay and is going through a series of tests. Reed is not practicing right now, and it sounds like it could be quite a while before that changes. Hopefully, he can resume playing next year at the very latest.

Taylor suffered a thumb injury in Week 2 against the Packers, which will seemingly sideline him for Week 3 and potentially longer. Taylor currently leads Jets tight ends with 78 offensive snaps. Losing for any amount of time elevates rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq to a more prominent role. Sadiq is worth adding in 12-team leagues at this time.

Belton is Green Bay’s new starting right tackle, in theory, with Zach Bako-Bewele done for the season. Not ideal for him to be popping up on the injury report on Tuesday ahead of a TNF clash with the Falcons. We’ll see where this goes; midweek additions are always tricky to figure out the day of, but the Packers offensive line continues to be beset with injuries.

The Chargers will welcome Kolar back in a month barring complications. He was already placed on IR yesterday, but this timetable update shows that he should be ready to return in late October.