"The plan is for [Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker] to be out there Week 1 if all goes well," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Walker underwent surgery to repair a hernia — not what is sometimes called a 'sports hernia' or core muscle injury — and he’s expected to make a full recovery," Rapoport adds. We'll track Walker's rehab. But, considering the rookie will miss the rest of the preseason and a bunch of practice time, he won't be a viable Week 1 fantasy option. RB Rashaad Penny's early-season fantasy stock gets a boost with the news.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Wednesday that rookie RB Kenneth Walker is having a "procedure" but that his injury is not a sports hernia, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. We'll watch for word on how long the team expects him to be out.
After some positive buzz at the start of training camp, Titans WR Treylon Burks is heading in the wrong direction again. He was buried in the pecking order in the preseason opener and didn't play particularly well. “Just being able to take the progress — some of the improvements that we saw in practice, and carry them over into the game. I don’t think that happened enough," HC Mike Vrabel said afterward. "Treylon will have to come out here and have a good week.” Burks then missed some reps in Wednesday's joint practice with the Bucs. It's looking like we won't be able to trust the rookie in fantasy lineups early in the season. There's still longer-term upside here, but Burks shouldn't be considered more than a WR4 at this point.
When asked about RB Javonte Williams getting the first snaps at practice, RB Melvin Gordon said, "The want 'Vonte to be the guy," per insider Zac Stevens. That, of course, doesn't tell us anything specific about how snaps and touches will be divvied in this backfield. But it at least seems like confirmation that Williams will lead the way. We'll see if we get any clues on workload distribution in Denver's final 2 preseason games.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins returned to practice on Wednesday. He ended up missing the minimum 5 days with COVID. His fantasy stock is unaffected.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow spoke to the media on Wednesday about his recovery from his appendectomy. He said he's eating "everything" to gain back 20 pounds, per insider Mike Petraglia. Burrow added that he'll return to 11-on-11 work in Wednesday's practice. And, while he won't play in the preseason, he feels confident that he'll be ready to go for Week 1. We'll continue to monitor Burrow's progress, but we haven't altered his 2022 projections.
Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman suffered an apparent left leg injury in Wednesday’s practice, per beat writer Nate Taylor. He limped off the field for evaluation. We’ll pass along an update when it’s available.
UPDATE: Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hardman's injury is to his groin.
Rams RB Cam Akers' soft-tissue injury is not considered serious, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Rams taking preventative measures by holding him out of preseason practices but that’s the extent of it," Fowler adds. He makes no mention of the severity of RB Darrell Henderson's injury. We'll see when the Rams backs are able to return to practice.
The NFL Players' Association and the NFL are working on a settlement agreement in the Deshaun Watson case, according to insider Aaron Wilson. "Sources expressed optimism that a deal will get worked out," Wilson writes. A settlement would very likely result in something in between Watson's current 6-game suspension and the full-season ban the league has been pushing for. Stay tuned.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Tuesday that RB Kenneth Walker has "a little hernia thing that he’s working on." Added Carroll, "we’ve got to get through that. So I don’t know what to tell you yet, but it’s something that we can attend to and all that ... We’ve just got to make sure that he’s OK by the opener is what we’re shooting for.” Hopefully Walker doesn't need surgery, which would certainly cost him the start of the season. We'll look for updates on the rookie's status.
Seahawks QB Drew Lock tested positive for COVID. He'll be out at least the next 5 days, which means he'll miss Seattle's 2nd preseason game. Lock seemed to be making up ground on QB Geno Smith, getting 1st-team reps in Tuesday's practice. But this is an obvious setback. Smith remains the favorite to start Week 1, although Lock is a good bet to also make starts this season.
Mike Dussault of the Patriots' official website calls RB Ty Montgomery the "early favorite" for passing-down duties. "Montgomery has been one of the under-the-radar stars of Patriots training camp this summer, slowly but surely cementing himself as part of the running back rotation," Dussault writes. HC Bill Belichick called Montgomery a "very smart, multi-skilled, multi-talented player" prior to Tuesday's practice. This still feels like a fluid situation, with RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Pierre Strong also in the mix for pass-catching work. But it's time to at least start considering Montgomery near the end of deeper PPR drafts.
Rams QB Matt Stafford (elbow) was a full participant in Tuesday's scrimmage. He had “great energy, great command… threw the ball incredibly accurately… Really activated all parts of our pass game," HC Sean McVay said afterward. Reports on Stafford's right elbow have trended up over the last week. We'll continue to keep a close eye on him leading up to Week 1.
The Raiders released WR Demarcus Robinson. It's a slightly surprising move because Robinson was Vegas' most accomplished WR behind Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow. But, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur, Mack Hollins and Keelan Cole have emerged as the team's #3 and #4 WRs. "Tyron Johnson’s speed has put him in the mix as well," Tafur adds. None of these guys will be 2022 fantasy factors without an injury to Adams or Renfrow.
Jets QB Zach Wilson had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today, according to multiple reports. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Wilson had just a trim of the meniscus -- as hoped -- and has a shot to play Week 1. Wilson does also have the bone bruise in the knee, which will require rest to recover.
Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Russell Gage will be held out of practice this week with their hamstring injuries, HC Todd Bowles said Tuesday. We haven't seen any concern about either guy's status for the start of the season, but we'll see when they're able to get back on the field.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders remains sidelined on Tuesday with what the team is now saying is a hamstring issue. It had previously been reported as "leg soreness." We've seen nothing to suggest that this is a serious injury, but we'll keep a close eye on Sanders over the next couple weeks. He notably checks in with the highest probability of injury of any RB this season.
Steelers WR Anthony Miller is expected to be out "several months" with a shoulder injury, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. It sounds like Miller will miss the entire 2022 season. He was battling for a roster spot in Pittsburgh and wasn't on the redraft fantasy radar anyway. But it's probably safe to drop Miller from dynasty rosters if you're still hanging on.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner says 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk "has been the team's most consistent offensive performer in camp." That's a particularly positive review for Aiyuk. Few question the former 1st-round pick's talent, but inconsistent performance dogged him last year -- especially early. Wagoner points out that Aiyuk had a similarly strong start to last year's camp but "tapered off" after a preseason hamstring injury. If Aiyuk can stay healthy and keep the effort up, he carries breakout difference-making potential from a fantasy football ADP that has hovered around WR40.
ESPN's Brooke Pryor says the Steelers are "likely to push the ball down the field more than in recent years." That would obviously be good for the fantasy football upside for everyone in the passing game (except maybe RB Najee Harris), but it would be an especially positive development for rookie WR George Pickens and 3rd-year WR Chase Claypool. Pickens has generated seemingly nonstop buzz in camp, while Claypool has displayed his downfield talent through 2 pro seasons. Both look attractive in reserve territory of fantasy football drafts.
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