2 years agoNew England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (back) wants to be ready in time for their Week 2 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The early indication is that Jones will suit up next week. The 24-year-old is reportedly dealing with back spasms from a hit during the Week 1 matchup with the Miami Dolphins. It sounds like the team is being cautious with Jones, but this doesn't appear to be a significant injury. Patriots fans are hopeful that Jones plays, but fantasy managers can avoid him as a streaming option against a tough Steelers defense.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Howe

2 years agoThe Houston Texans have decided to bring back running back Royce Freeman. This is the second time the Texans have brought back Freeman since cutting him in late August. The veteran back is expected to stay on the practice squad for now. However, Freeman could quickly join the mix, assuming things don't get better for the Texans. They averaged 2.9 yards per carry during Sunday's tie with the Indianapolis Colts. Dameon Pierce and Rex Burkhead are getting a bulk of the carries in Houston. Freeman won't have any fantasy value with them in his way.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Houston Texans

2 years agoKansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (ankle) didn't suit up for practice on Monday. The 27-year-old rolled his ankle during the opening kickoff on Sunday. That forced the Chiefs to lean on safety Justin Reid for kickoffs and two extra points. Luckily, Butker was able to return during the second quarter. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if the Chiefs are cautious with Butker this week. They have a matchup on Thursday night football, so hopefully Butker can heal quickly. The fact he returned to Sunday's contest suggests that he'll be fine going forward.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Sports Illustrated

2 years agoAtlanta Falcons running back Damien Williams (ribs) is believed to have avoided serious injury. The 30-year-old mentioned his ribs are sore, but he didn't suffer any broken ribs during their contest with the New Orleans Saints. Williams was forced to exit in the first quarter of Sunday's loss. It sounds like he should be good for their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Sadly, Williams won't have a ton of fantasy value behind Cordarrelle Patterson in Atlanta.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Michael Rothstein

2 years agoThe Kansas City Chiefs signed former New York Jets kicker Matt Ammendola to their practice squad on Monday. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker injured his ankle during a Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals and his status is questionable for Week 2's Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Butker isn't ready to kick, Ammendola will be the team's kicker when they take on their division rivals. Fantasy managers rostering Butker will want to have an alternate option at the kicker position in case he can't go.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (pectoral) got some good news on his pectoral injury on Monday. It is believed that Watt will not need surgery and the injury will not end his season, although he is still getting additional medical opinions. Watt could be able to return to the field in as few as six weeks, although the Steelers are likely to place him on the short-term injured reserve in the meantime. The star pass rusher had a big game in Week 1 before the injury, notching six tackles, a sack, and an interception. Watt's timeline for a return should become clearer in the next few weeks.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

2 years agoHouston Texans running back Dameon Pierce turned in a quiet NFL debut, seeing just 12 touches compared to Rex Burkhead's 19 in a 20-20 tie with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Head coach Lovie Smith told reporters on Monday that Pierce still needs to get better at pass protection and pass-catching skills. Smith stated, "There's some things we're going to work on so that situation doesn't happen again." Many fantasy gamers drafted Pierce hoping he would be the clear No. 1 running back in Houston but it appears that this backfield will be more of an even split between the rookie and Burkhead. That being said, Pierce could gain a larger share of the role as the season goes on and he gets more NFL experience. For that reason, Pierce remains a hold in all leagues.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

2 years agoSeattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (knee) suffered an injury and was carted to the locker room during his team's Monday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos. Adams injured his knee during the game and is doubtful to return. Adams made three tackles and had one pass defended in the contest before departing early. Expect the Seahawks to update his injury status after Monday's game. The oft-injured Adams is one of Seattle's best defenders, but an extended absence would leave a big hole in the team's secondary.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter on Twitter

2 years agoDallas Cowboys offensive guard Connor McGovern (ankle) suffered a high ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night and is projected to miss two to four weeks, according to a person with knowledge of the injury. The Cowboys think that McGovern could return sooner than later because it's an injury he's dealt with before. The 24-year-old won't have to miss too much time, but it's more bad news for a Dallas offense that just lost star quarterback Dak Prescott to a fractured right thumb. With McGovern out in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Matt Farniok is expected to fill in as the starting left guard.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Dallas Morning News - Calvin Watkins

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith (elbow) suffered a hyperextended elbow in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. It will be a pain-tolerance issue as to how quickly he'll be able to return, according to head coach Todd Bowles. The good news is that the Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady might not have to be without the 29-year-old left tackle for too long, if at all. Josh Wells replaced Smith at left tackle on Sunday night and would likely start any games that Smith misses. In a divisional matchup on the road against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, Brady could face quite a bit of pressure from his blind side if Wells is forced to make the start.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (thumb) suffered a broken right thumb in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will need surgery, according to a source. Averett will likely miss at least a month, which is why the Raiders chose to place him on Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old will not be able to return until at least Week 6 against the Houston Texans. With Averett sidelined, the Raiders will be looking for both Amik Robertson and Roderic Teamer to step up in the secondary. Averett, a former fourth-rounder of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, is in his first year with the Raiders after opening his NFL career with four seasons in Baltimore.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring), tight end Donald Parham Jr. (hamstring) and cornerback J.C. Jackson (ankle) were all listed as DNPs for Monday's estimated practice report. Allen injured his hamstring in the Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in the first half, but there remains a small chance that he could play on a quick turnaround this Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. We should know more on his status on Tuesday, but fantasy managers should already be making plans to be without him. Wideouts DeAndre Carter and Joshua Palmer will become more attractive flex plays against KC if Allen is inactive. Parham was inactive on Sunday and looks to be headed for another game on the sidelines this Thursday.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chargers Twitter

2 years agoDenver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (knee, hip) is officially active for the Week 1 season opener on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Outside linebacker Randy Gregory (shoulder) is also active and will be making his Broncos debut. Hamler suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 of 2021, but he is ready to roll to kick off the 2022 season. The 23-year-old speedy deep threat will have perhaps more fantasy upside than he's ever had with quarterback Russell Wilson in town. However, as Denver's No. 3 pass-catcher behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, Hamler's fantasy production will probably be sporadic, at best. Entering Monday night's matchup in Seattle, Hamler will be a boom/bust WR4/5 in deeper leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Broncos Twitter

2 years agoSeattle Seahawks rookie running back Kenneth Walker III (hernia) is inactive in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday night. Walker was listed as questionable for the season opener, but he was always more of a long shot to suit up after he had hernia surgery in the middle of August. The 21-year-old second-rounder should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues, though, especially if you have the oft-injured Rashaad Penny already rostered. Penny will be Seattle's clear-cut No. 1 RB to open the season, with Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas battling for change-of-pace duties against Denver. There's a chance that Walker could be ready to make his NFL debut in a Week 2 matchup with the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Seahawks PR

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) will miss roughly eight weeks with an MCL sprain that he suffered in the second quarter of the Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears. Mitchell won't need surgery, but he was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday. Jeff Wilson Jr. becomes the team's top back, while rookies Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason will compete in practices for the No. 2 role. Mason had the edge in the season opener with Davis-Price being a healthy inactive, but that could change in the coming weeks. For now, Wilson should become a priority waiver-wire add in all fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in only 17 percent of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows