2 years agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (knee) "is making great progress" but won't play against the Falcons in Week 2, head coach Sean McVay told Sarah Barshop of ESPN. This marks the second consecutive game in which Jefferson won't suit up. Cooper Kupp is the only must-start receiver in this offense. Allen Robinson and Ben Skowronek round out the Nos. 2 and 3 roles.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Sarah Barshop

2 years agoDenver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (knee, hip) was seen working on a side field Friday. Hamler, who returned from an ACL tear in Week 1 but did not catch a pass, has not practiced this week. He appears to be a longshot to play against the Texans in Week 2. If he is indeed absent, Tyrie Cleveland would operate as the No. 3 receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Troy Renck

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans (calf) and Julio Jones (knee) both returned to practice on Friday. The duo was absent from practice on Thursday, but their return to the field suggests both veteran receivers should play in Week 2 against the Saints. With Chris Godwin (hamstring) looking like a longshot to play, Evans ranks as a fantasy WR1 while Jones possesses WR3/FLEX appeal. Evans and Jones combined for 140 yards and one touchdown against the Cowboys in Week 1.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Rick Stroud

2 years agoGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (ankle), who practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday, is expected to progress through team reps during Friday's practice. This is another step in the right direction for Lazard after he did not play in Week 1. Assuming he suits up in Week 2, the 26-year-old would rank as a low-end WR3 with upside. He's the new top wideout in the Green Bay offense, but we have yet to see if he can handle the lead role. Fantasy managers invested in Lazard's availability should continue to monitor his status as the Packers release their final injury report.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Wood

2 years agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion, personal) returned to practice on Friday. The third-year wideout was limited on Wednesday due to his head injury and absent on Thursday to attend his father's funeral, but his return to the practice field to close out the week suggests he's on track to play in Week 2. Higgins hauled in two passes for 27 yards before exiting last Sunday's game early. The 23-year-old has proven that he can co-exist with Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals' other offensive weapons, putting him in the WR2 range heading into a clash with the Dallas Cowboys.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Jay Morrison

2 years agoNew England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (illness, back) returned to practice on Friday. He had been a non-participant on Thursday. Jones, who dealt with back spasms in Week 1, also came down with a stomach issue in the middle of the week. However, now that he's back on the practice field, it appears he'll be ready to go for Week 2 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a difficult matchup on tap, the second-year quarterback should be viewed as a low-end QB2 in fantasy football.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Zack Cox

2 years agoFree-agent wide receiver Cole Beasley "is drawing serious interest and contract offers from multiple NFL teams," according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. The veteran slot receiver is expected to take his time and wait until the right opportunity presents itself. Beasley, 33, played in 16 games for the Bills last season, catching 82 of 112 targets for 693 yards and one touchdown. "He can afford to be selective in his process of choosing the right fit and, ideally, join a contender," adds Wilson. Consistently productive and reliable, Beasley is worth stashing in deep leagues in case he secures a decent role in a solid offense.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (back) and wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) have both been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although Leonard practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday, it appears he'll still miss his second consecutive game. Meanwhile, Pierce made real progress but was unable to clear the concussion protocol in time. It will be important to monitor Colts injury updates over the next few days since wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quad) is listed as questionable. If Pittman joins Pierce on the inactive list, Parris Campbell would serve as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (rib) avoided any broken bones following Thursday night's game. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Herbert's X-rays came back negative. As a result, the third-string quarterback will undergo further testing. The injury clearly bothered Herbert in Week 2, but he only missed one offensive snap. Los Angeles doesn't play again until next Sunday, giving Herbert 10 days to recover. Still, fantasy managers should monitor his status going forward in case he does have to miss time. Chase Daniel is the Chargers' current backup quarterback.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Mike Garafolo

2 years agoArizona Cardinals wide receivers Rondale Moore (hamstring) and Andy Isabella (back) have both been ruled out ahead of Week 2. With these wideouts sidelined and DeAndre Hopkins suspended, Arizona will proceed with Marquise Brown, A.J. Green, Greg Dortch, and Zach Ertz headlining the passing game. Brown and Ertz are both worth starting against a suspect Las Vegas Raiders defense. Meanwhile, Green and Dortch have FLEX appeal in deeper formats.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Josh Weinfuss

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Week 2, head coach Frank Reich announced. Pittman aggravated the injury on Wednesday and was limited in practice. Then, he was a non-participant on Thursday. It is unclear if he practiced in any capacity on Friday, but the good news is that the questionable designation leaves the door open for him to play on Sunday. If active, the 24-year-old would rank as a top-12 option against a Jaguars secondary that surrendered the second-most points to wideouts last week. If he can't go, the Colts would be without both Pittman and Alec Pierce (concussion), leaving Parris Campbell as the top option. We should know more about Pittman's availability by Sunday morning, and the Colts' 1 p.m. kickoff gives fantasy managers some flexibility in case a last-minute lineup change is needed.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Stephen Holder

2 years agoGreen Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby will face the Chicago Bears in the team's home opener Sunday night. The 38-year-old made his lone extra-point attempt last week, recording no field goal tries in the Packers' blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay's offense should fair better this week against Chicago, but Crosby's fantasy scoring ceiling remains capped. The offense could continue to struggle as Aaron Rodgers slowly gains chemistry with the slew of new receivers in Green Bay. Even if Allen Lazard (ankle) plays this week, Crosby is likely to kick multiple extra points rather than multiple field goals. With only a 41.5 implied point total, it is better to look elsewhere for a fantasy kicker this week.--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoThe Green Bay Packers defense will host the Chicago Bears in their home opener on Sunday night. The team struggled last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, allowing wide receiver Justin Jefferson to catch nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. However, they have a more favorable matchup this week against the Justin Fields-led Bears. The Packers' pass rush should have an easier time against the Chicago offensive line, but they will need to generate some turnovers and get to Fields more often than they got to Kirk Cousins last week to make fantasy managers happy. The Packers are a decent streaming option this week, but they do not carry top-five scoring upside.--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoGreen Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan faces the Chicago Bears this Sunday night in Green Bay's home opener. The 28-year-old tied for the team-high in targets last week with rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs and could see a decent target share again Sunday. San Francisco was without George Kittle last week, allowing Chicago to hold the backup duo of Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft to two receptions for 20 yards. The matchup with Chicago is not one to avoid, making Tonyan a decent streaming option in Week 2 as the Packers passing attack will look to bounce back after a poor performance to open the season.--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson will face the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. The first-round rookie played 66% of the offensive snaps in Week 1 against Minnesota but produced only two receptions on four targets for 34 yards. He also dropped a deep go-ahead touchdown down the sideline. It was positive to see Watson record the second-highest snap share of the Packers' wide receivers, finishing only one percent behind veteran Sammy Watkins. However, Allen Lazard (ankle) could return this week after practicing on a limited basis, muddying the rookie's potential snap share moving forward. Chicago is not a matchup that should scare fantasy managers away from starting a wide receiver, but with a possible Lazard return, Watson profiles as an extremely risky boom or bust flex option in Week 2.--Ryan Larrison - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller