NFL Player News

The good news about the restructure is that it will keep Conner in Arizona next year, giving him a real shot to head the backfield again depending on how his foot/ankle injury rehab is coming along. Because of how it was reported, it’s almost certainly actually a pay cut for Conner, who would likely have faced a tough market. Conner and fellow injury rehabber Trey Benson figure to again split carries in Arizona in 2026 if both are healthy.

Penix said after Sunday’s loss that he didn’t believe his injury would be long-term. He was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in overtime because of his injury, but he also added that he likely would have gone back on the field had the Falcons received the ball to start the extra quarter. Instead, Penix said his pain worsened the longer he sat, which was why he ultimately didn’t go back in. Penix’s status will be one to monitor throughout the week. If he can’t start in Week 6, Tagovailoa would be in line to start his first game of the season.

“Malik needs to be better, but that’s not the headline -- we all need to be better ... everything in the pass game has to be better.. It’s the receivers, it’s the tight ends, it’s the protection,” Hafley continued. Willis is by all statistical measures one of the weakest quarterbacks in the league with his arm, but at least he’s skimping some superflex QB2 value with his legs. There’s not much reason for the Dolphins to bench him either way, as they have nobody they pressingly need to evaluate. Willis should return after the Week 6 bye.

“He’s produced, so it’s been heavy. It’d be great to get Rico back this week, too. ... Having him as a one-two punch was the vision of this offense, but Jaylen’s crushing it right now. He’s been awesome for us,” McCarthy continued. That’s a very telling “but.” Warren has to be regarded as the chair of a committee at this point rather than in a backfield split, and Dowdle probably doesn’t belong in the FLEX conversation coming off his injury until we see a good workload for him.

Monken was spotted in a walking boot after Sunday’s loss to the Jets, but Monken said his RB1 will have a chance to play in Week 6 against the Ravens. Judkins rushed 14 times for 44 yards last week and has a rushing line of 73-221-1 for the season, along with 18 receptions for 102 additional yards. Judkins’ practice status will be one to monitor throughout the week. If he’s not able to play, Raheim Sanders would likely handle the early-down work, with Jaleel McLaughlin mixing in as well.

This was the exact outcome we expected after Greenlaw was ejected from Sunday’s game for headbutting Seahawks LB Ernest Jones on the sideline during a scuffle. Greenlaw, who was wearing a helmet, hit a helmet-less Jones and was immediately ejected and will now be suspended for one game without pay. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Greenlaw will appeal his suspension, but for now, he will miss Week 6’s game against the Commanders and be in line to return in Week 7 when the Niners visit the Falcons.

Moton was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list entering camp after it was revealed that he was dealing with blood clots in his lungs. The 32-year-old tackle now has 21 days to be activated from IR or be ruled out for the season, but we would expect him to be activated in the coming weeks. Moton earned a PFF offensive grade of 80.5 last season and allowed just three sacks and 22 pressures. In addition to Moton, the Panthers also designated DL Tershawn Wharton (neck) for return.

The 30-year-old culture tonesetter has mostly only turned to fantasy relevancy when injuries piled up. The Lions had to use Amon-Ra St. Brown on returns after his injury and will likely seek a new returner off the practice circuit this week.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Mendoza is going to take the reins this week; we expect Cousins to continue starting even if Raiders coach Klint Kubiak didn’t affirmatively get ahead of the situation in Sunday’s post-game. But Mendoza looked reasonable and this will obviously be something that will bubble up eventually. No. 1 overall picks don’t typically stay on benches too long.

Brown has been rehabbing from a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the season-opener. It was reported on Sunday that Brown was walking without a limp, and last week NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that “the hope is” Brown will play in Week 6 against the Jets. The team has not opened his return window, which they will need to do in order for him to practice this week. Once that happens, the focus will then move to his practice status and whether or not he can log a full practice or two before the weekend. We would expect Brown’s 21-day return window in the next 24 hours if the team really believes there’s a chance he could return this week.

Ryans said Woody Marks “will carry the load” for the team while Montgomery is sidelined. It’s been a tough start to the season for Montgomery, who scored three times in Week 1 but has been locked out of the end zone ever since while averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per touch. Marks has been slightly more efficient than Montgomery this season, but the Texans’ running game as a whole has left much to be desired. Marks’ expected workload makes him worth a waiver wire claim where available, but fantasy managers shouldn’t expect anything more than RB3 levels of production at this time. The Texans will take on the Jaguars in London in Week 6.