Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday that RB Melvin Gordon will start this weekend's game vs. the Jets. The 2 had a conversation about Gordon's role on Tuesday after he played just 9 snaps in the loss to the Chargers. Of course, starting the game only means that he'll be out there for the 1st snap. It doesn't tell us anything about how the work will be divvied between Gordon, Latavius Murray and Mike Boone. Still, it wouldn't be shocking to see Gordon lead the backfield in Week 7. Ultimately, it's a situation to try to avoid in fantasy lineups this week.
Packers WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) has been designated to return from IR and will be limited in Wednesday's practice, HC Matt LaFleur said. We'll see if Watkins is ready to play vs. the Commanders this weekend. He caught 6 of 7 targets on a 66% snap rate over the first 2 games of the season. We'd expect him to return as the #3 WR behind Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs.
Panthers QB Sam Darnold (ankle) has been designated to return from IR and will return to practice this week. With QBs Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker both banged up and playing horribly, we'll likely get Darnold back in our lives at some point this season. Of course, you can leave him on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.
Bengals LB Logan Wilson is expected to miss at least the next 2 games and potentially more than a month with the right-shoulder injury that knocked him out of Sunday's win over the Saints. It's the same shoulder he injured last season, which required surgery after the year. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the latest injury is less severe and that "around 2-5 weeks [is] considered a fair window of return." Last year's shoulder injury cost Wilson 3 games before he returned to play every snap in his final regular-season appearance and throughout the playoffs. If this injury isn't as bad, then perhaps we should be optimistic for a return on the shorter end of the timeline. Whether to stash or dump Wilson will depend heavily on the size and scoring of your league as well as roster size and IDP lineup positions. Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither figure to lead Cincinnati LBs while Wilson is out.
Cardinals RBs James Conner (ribs) and Darrel Williams (knee) did not practice on Tuesday. It looks like both guys will miss Thursday night's game vs. the Saints.
Saints WRs Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) remained sidelined on Tuesday. Neither guy is expected to play vs. the Cardinals on Thursday night, leaving Chris Olave, Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway as New Orleans' top 3 WRs.
Saints QBs Jameis Winston (back, ankle) and Andy Dalton (back) were limited in Tuesday's practice. It remains unclear who will start vs. the Cardinals on Thursday night. We'll get New Orleans' final injury report tomorrow.
Packers WR Randall Cobb is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with his sprained ankle, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's good news after it was originally feared to be a potentially season-ending injury. Still, Cobb isn't worth stashing on fantasy rosters while he's out. WRs Amari Rodgers and Juwann Winfree split slot duties in Cobb's place this past week.
The Ravens signed WR DeSean Jackson to the practice squad. The 35-year-old caught just 20 balls across 16 games with the Rams and Raiders last year, although he still averaged 22.7 yards per catch. Assuming he eventually lands on the active roster, Jackson figures to be a part-time, situational deep threat for Baltimore. We wouldn't bother adding him to fantasy rosters, but he could be a slight boost for QB Lamar Jackson.
Chargers K Dustin Hopkins is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered in Monday night's win over the Broncos, HC Brandon Staley said. So the Chargers will go back to K Taylor Bertolet, who made 3 FGs and 3 XPs in place of Hopkins in Week 5.
Chargers RB Joshua Kelley sprained an MCL in Monday night's win over the Broncos and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. That leaves Sony Michel as Los Angeles' #2 RB and means that we might see rookie RB Isaiah Spiller active on game days. Michel should be rostered in fantasy leagues of 12+ teams as the short-term Austin Ekeler handcuff.
Chargers TE Donald Parham is in the concussion protocol, HC Brandon Staley said Tuesday. Parham will have trouble getting cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks. He saw 3 targets on an 18% route rate in the win over the Broncos, so his absence is a slight boost for TE Gerald Everett.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) is expected to be a full participant in practice this week, HC Brandon Staley said Tuesday. So, barring a setback, Allen should return for Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks. We'll keep you updated on his status throughout the week.
Broncos QB Russell Wilson is considered "day-to-day" with his hamstring injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's good news relative to today's earlier report that the injury was "fairly significant," but Wilson still seems uncertain for Sunday's game vs. the Jets. We'll keep a close eye on him over the next few days. Wilson has disappointed so far, but backup QB Brett Rypien would be a significant downgrade for the offense.
The Cardinals released K Matt Ammendola and signed K Rodrigo Blankenship to the practice squad. Blankenship will kick vs. the Saints on Thursday night if K Matt Prater (hip) isn't ready.
Broncos QB Russell Wilson's hamstring injury could be "fairly significant," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said Tuesday. Wilson is getting an MRI to get a better look at the damage, but it sounds like his status for at least Week 7 is in question. QB Brett Rypien is Denver's backup. We'll pass along an update on Wilson when we get one.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert went without a TD pass in Monday night's win over Denver. That’s happened only one other time in his career, and it’s especially shocking considering he attempted 57 passes in Week 6. It’s worth noting that Keenan Allen (hamstring) remained out, and a shaky O-line allowed constant pressure. Herbert's 4.17 YPA -- the 2nd lowest total of his career -- is still a shocker. He leaned heavily on short throws to Josh Palmer (12 targets) and Austin Ekeler (16 targets). Fortunately, the 3rd-year passer is poised to rebound this week vs. Seattle.
Niners S Talanoa Hufanga entered the concussion protocol Monday. HC Kyle Shanahan said Hufanga passed his concussion test during Sunday's loss to the Falcons, and then another after the game, according to 49ers Webzone. But he then had concussion symptoms Monday morning, and a 3rd test placed him in the protocol. Plan on not having Hufanga available for IDP lineups this week. We'll keep an eye on his status.
Chargers WR Mike Williams caught only 2 of 6 targets for 17 yards in Week 6. CB Patrick Surtain shadowed Williams for most of the night, and that matchup proved difficult for the veteran WR. This dud followed 2 straight outings of 120+ yards, but of course, it’s not totally out of character. Williams posted games of 10 and 15 yards over the first 3 weeks. Keenan Allen (hamstring) should return over the next week or so, helping keep Williams’ boom-or-bust profile intact. Sunday turns up a bounce-back spot vs. Seattle.
Broncos RB Melvin Gordon surprisingly finished Week 6 with only 3 carries for 8 yards. All of that came in the first half. Gordon said afterwords that he was fine physically, despite entering as questionable with rib/neck injuries. “It was a close game,” Gordon said after the loss. “I felt like I could've helped make a difference, but apparently not.” Latavius Murray led the backfield with 15 carries for 66 yards. Mike Boone mixed in for 4 targets, while Gordon didn’t see any. We'll see what type of chatter we hear about this backfield over the next few days. But all 3 RBs will be volatile plays this week against a surging Jets defense.
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