NFL Player News

Kelce is set to be a free agent when the new league year begins, and while it sounds like he will be returning for a 14th season, he will likely shop his services to other teams before deciding whether to re-up with the Chiefs. While it would still be surprising to see Kelce play for another team in what could be his final season, there will likely be plenty of teams lining up to speak with the future Hall of Famer. Kelce caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season on 108 targets. While he’s taken a step back in recent years, his production relative to his position continues to come at a high level. Rumors of potential suitors are sure to emerge once the league’s legal tampering period opens on Monday, which could make for an interesting start to free agency.

LaPorta combined with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs to be the primary targets for quarterback Jared Goff on a night where relentless pressure from the Bills forced the offense to primarily attack the intermediate areas of the field. That could be the norm for this offense moving forward considering the mounting injuries along their offensive line, which are likely to be felt the most against opponents with a legitimate pass rush. That may not be the case in Week 3 when the Lions host the Jets, a team that is likely to also utilize elevated rates of zone coverage. LaPorta has had stark man-zone splits throughout his career and could see less volume due to matchup. He’ll be a low-end TE1 against the Jets.

St. Brown did not catch his first pass until six minutes left in the second quarter but was the primary cog of the offense after the break as the Lions worked to overcome multiple 17-point deficits. He found paint for the first time on the team’s first possession after the break before adding a second in the two-minute drill from 27 yards out. St. Brown now has 209 yards and four touchdowns on 19 receptions through two games an looks every bit of the elite WR1 fantasy managers invested a first-round pick into this offseason. Although volume through the air might be more difficult to come by in Week 3, St. Brown remains a top-tier WR1 when the Lions host the Jets in Detroit.

Gibbs was effectively the entire game plan out of the gates, scoring the team’s only first-half touchdown from 11 yards out in the second quarter. He would be used far less after the break as the Lions attempted to come back from multiple 17-point deficits, although the six receptions on eight targets and a touchdown through the air helped push his counting stats into clear RB1 territory for the second consecutive week to start the season. Fantasy managers that were lucky enough to secure the 1.01 in drafts this offseason are sure to be content with the early returns. Gibbs will once again be an elite fantasy option when the Lions host the Jets in Week 3.

The Lions staked the Bills to a 21-point lead early in the second quarter, eventually taking a 27-10 deficit into the break. The closest they would get the rest of the game was a 10-point deficit, but the offense finally came alive in the final two frames. Goff tossed a pair of touchdowns to alpha wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and one each to Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs, salvaging the poor team performance with an elite fantasy score for managers brave enough to start him on the road in the elements. The Lions fall to 1-1 ahead of a much more forgiving home matchup against the Jets in Week 3, where Goff will look to return another QB1 performance.

Moore departed with just over three minutes remaining in the second quarter after appearing to injure his shoulder on a diving attempt in the end zone. He remained on the field for multiple minutes before being helped to the sideline with trainers. He went straight to the locker room under his own power, presumably for testing. The team has yet to release an official designation, although it appears unlikely he will return to the game. Moore was not targeted before departing as the play he was injured on was called back for an offensive hold.

Maddox was injured on a play in the red zone at the beginning of the second quarter. He was helped to the sideline by trainers before being taken by cart to the locker room. Expect an update from the team in short order. His departure is another blow to a secondary already down multiple starters.

Thomas and RG Francis Mauigoa (shoulder) are both practicing in a limited capacity, putting them on track to play on Monday night against the Rams. There are no concerns here.

Emmanwori remains limited through two Week 2 practices, and Okada (hamstring) has not yet resumed practicing. Emmanwori seemingly has a chance to play, but Okada appears to be a long shot.

The 33-year-old wide receiver should play in Week 2 against the Cardinals, although he is just a boom-bust FLEX starter at this point. Kupp does not need to be in 12-team lineups.

McBride should be considered good to go for the Cardinals’ Week 2 game against the Seahawks. It took a while for the team to let us know what was going on yesterday. Although there is something at play here with the back listing, the fact that the team labeled it a rest day is great to see. He’s an elite TE1.