2 years agoThe Denver Broncos placed All-Pro safety Justin Simmons (quadriceps) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and promoted cornerback Essang Bassey to the active roster in a corresponding move. Simmons, who was injured in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, will now miss at least the next four games. The 28-year-old had nine tackles in the season opener and also recovered a fumble. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues will now have to go in another direction if they started Simmons as their defensive back in Week 1. Simmons is a key contributor for Denver's secondary, so his injury is a big blow to their defense, but they still have a stream-worthy matchup in Week 2 against the Houston Texans.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday. Before his injury in the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Bolden played 28% of the snaps behind starter Josh Jacobs and carried the ball three times for seven yards, adding two receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. He'll have two more chances to return to practice this week, but he's lining up to be at least questionable for Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. The 32-year-old is merely a deep-league PPR stash for the time being. If he's inactive on Sunday, Ameer Abdullah and rookie Zamir White will likely split the change-of-pace snaps behind Jacobs.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss

2 years agoAtlanta Falcons running back Damien Williams (ribs) missed most of the Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints with a rib injury, and he wasn't able to practice on Wednesday. The good news is that Williams was able to return late in the season-opening loss, but he finished with just two carries for two yards and played only 13% of the offensive snaps. The 30-year-old still has some time to return to the practice field this week, but as of now, he should be considered questionable to suit up for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Williams is unlikely to have standalone fantasy value as long as Cordarrelle Patterson remains healthy. If he's forced to sit this weekend, rookie Tyler Allgeier, who was inactive in Week 1, should suit up and have a much bigger role.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Scott Bair

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said wide receiver Van Jefferson's (knee) status "is similar to what it has been." Jefferson remains day-to-day, but it sounds like he hasn't made any progress in his rehab from offseason knee surgery. Barring a dramatic change in his status later this week, Jefferson is all but certain to miss Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, but he remains worth stashing in deeper formats. Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II will continue to operate as the top two receivers for quarterback Matthew Stafford, with Ben Skowronek serving as the No. 3. Skowronek played a healthy 88% of the snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, catching four of his six targets for 25 yards.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Associated Press - Greg Beacham

2 years agoNew England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice despite dealing with back spasms after the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins. It's a good sign that he'll be available to start in Week 2 this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barring a setback, the 24-year-old second-year signal-caller will be in play as a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues. New England's offense has looked discombobulated all summer, and they managed to put up only seven points against Miami last weekend. Jones and Co. won't have to face All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt (pectoral) this week, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting all that much from them as they look to gain consistency.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

2 years agoNew Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (back) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday with a back injury, which is why he went into the injury tent in the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints don't sound too worried about Winston's injury after he went 23-for-34 for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the season-opening come-from-behind victory. Barring a setback on Thursday or Friday, the 28-year-old should make the start in Week 2 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa's defense shut down a mediocre Cowboys offense in Week 1 and will be bringing plenty of pressure against Winston this weekend. He'll be a midrange QB2 for fantasy managers in Week 2.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

2 years agoBaltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) took a big step forward on Wednesday by being a full participant in practice. Dobbins didn't play in the Week 1 win over the New York Jets after being limited in practice all week. The Ravens aren't going to rush him back coming off a torn ACL before the start of last season, but Dobbins appears to be close to making his 2022 debut. There's still no guarantee the 23-year-old will even play in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, and even if he does, he could have his snaps limited in a crowded backfield that also includes Kenyan Drake, Justice Hill and Mike Davis. At best, Dobbins will be a shaky RB3/flex play if he's active this Sunday. He should, however, be stashed in all fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

2 years agoArizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (calf) was forced to miss practice on Wednesday after being sidelined in Week 1. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury stated that the team would not expect to have a clear idea of Watt's availability until later in the week. The Cardinals were one of only three teams to not record a sack last Sunday, so Watt's defensive presence was clearly missed. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took full advantage of the lack of effective pass-rushing as he threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns. If Watt is unable to play in Week 2, Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders will look to capitalize in an important divisional clash.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Talk

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie running backs Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason will compete in practice this week to see who will be the No. 2 behind Jeff Wilson Jr. in the Week 2 divisional clash with the Seattle Seahawks. "We'll go with the hot hand in the game," Shanahan said. Elijah Mitchell (knee) will miss at least eight weeks after getting injured in the season opener. Wilson was the priority waiver-wire addition after Week 1 action, but Davis-Price and Mason are also worth speculative pickups. Davis-Price was a healthy scratch last Sunday, while Mason didn't touch the ball as the No. 3 back against Chicago. If Wilson struggles or gets injured, it's entirely plausible that Davis-Price and/or Mason could become fantasy relevant in 12-team leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows

2 years agoDetroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (ankle) said he rolled his ankle in the second quarter of the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but he stayed in the game and finished with 15 carries for a career-high 144 yards, which was the third-highest rushing total in the league in the first week. The 23-year-old wasn't on the practice field on Wednesday, but he still has two days left in the week to get back on the field. As long as Swift is active, he should be considered a must-start RB1 in a Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders. If Swift is wrong about his injury being minor and he doesn't suit up, Jamaal Williams would be an immediate plug-and-play RB2 choice for fantasy managers.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett

2 years agoArizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (calf) was sidelined for the team's practice on Wednesday. Ertz was questionable heading into Week 1 but did suit up and catch a touchdown. Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said that the Pro Bowl tight end was on a pitch count against the Kansas City Chiefs but is expected to be a full-go in practice on Thursday ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Arizona is in need of offensive weapons with DeAndre Hopkins suspended and Rondale Moore (hamstring) nursing an injury of his own, so Ertz should be started in fantasy lineups assuming he is able to play.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Tyler Drake

2 years agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Yesterday, head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters that Moore would try to participate, but it seems that he may not be as close to returning as Arizona had hoped. Kingsbury stated Wednesday that they will not have a clear idea of Moore's availability until later on in the week. When Moore returns, he is expected to play a major role in the Cardinals' offense, at least for the first six weeks with DeAndre Hopkins suspended. He is worthy of a bench stash in all fantasy formats and could be a flex play in deeper leagues when healthy.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Talk

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (groin) was sidelined in practice on Wednesday after missing Week 1 with a groin injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said "hopefully, we'll have better luck this week" in regards to Kittle's availability to play on Sunday. Fantasy managers should closely monitor practice reports on Thursday and Friday, as Kittle should have a shot to suit up if he becomes a limited or full participant. Still, it would be wise to have an alternative option prepared in case he is unable to play in Week 2's divisional showdown against the Seattle Seahawks.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Nick Wagoner

2 years agoThe Las Vegas Raiders have added wide receiver Keelan Cole to their 53-man roster after placing receiver DJ Turner (ankle) on injured reserve. Cole signed with the Raiders in May but was released before the regular season. He re-signed with the team's practice squad last week and will now join wideouts Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Mack Hollins, and Tyron Johnson on the active roster. With Adams, Renfrow, and tight end Darren Waller operating as the top targets for Derek Carr, Cole is not expected to make a fantasy impact this season unless another injury were to occur.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Talk

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Julio Jones (knee) and Russell Gage (hamstring) both missed practice on Wednesday, as did Chris Godwin (hamstring). We'll have to see how much Jones and Gage are able to do the rest of the week before determining their status for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Godwin is expected to miss a little time after tweaking his hammy in the season opener. But if Jones and Gage return to practice on Thursday and Friday and suit up on Sunday, they'll have even more upside with Godwin unlikely to play. Jones caught three of his five targets for 69 yards in his Bucs debut on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, while Gage caught both of his targets for 13 yards.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter