Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb had surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from his left ankle. He's expected to need 7-8 weeks to recover but plans to play again this season. While he's on IR, expect Malik Reed to get primary playing time opposite Von Miller. Reed is an upside matchup play for sack-friendly IDP scoring formats while he's in the lineup.
Lions HC Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday reports that the team is trying to trade LB Jamie Collins. That makes sense as Detroit tries to go younger at the position. The Lions reportedly plan to increase playing time for rookie LB Derrick Barnes beginning this week. Alex Anzalone still looks like the best bet for snaps for the time being, though we'll see just how much Detroit is looking to change things up. No Lions LB is especially attractive for IDP use right now. Collins could be a low-cost upside option in a new setting.
The Lions on Thursday placed K Austin Seibert on the COVID list. It's not yet clear whether he tested positive or was an unvaccinated close contact. Being just 3 days away from Sunday's clash with the Ravens, though, makes him unlikely to be ready for that game. Expect Detroit to elevate K Ryan Santoso from the practice squad.
The Lions are placing WR Tyrell Williams on IR for the concussion that kept him out of Monday night's game in Green Bay. That means the veteran receiver will miss at least 3 more contests. Quintez Cephus led Detroit wideouts in targets and worked well ahead of the rest of the group in playing time against the Packers. On top of that, he looks like the best player among them to date. Kalif Raymond and rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown checked in close to each other as the 2nd and 3rd WRs in Green Bay, claiming 63% and 60% of the offensive snaps, respectively.
Buccaneers EDGE Jason Pierre-Paul got a 2nd opinion on his injured shoulder and was told to rest it, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Although the Bucs haven't officially ruled JPP out for Week 3 yet, Rapoport adds that the veteran is "likely" to be inactive Sunday against the Rams. We'll certainly track the situation through the weekend, but make sure you plan accordingly for your IDP lineup. Anthony Nelson and rookie Joe Tryon-Shoyinka figure to each gain playing time if Pierre-Paul is out, but neither makes for a sturdy fantasy football option this week.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero hears that there's "still hope" that Colts QB Carson Wentz (ankle) will be able to play vs. the Titans this weekend. Pelissero adds that it might come down to a game-time decision. Practice-squad QB Brett Hundley reportedly took most of the 1st-team reps in Wednesday's practice and might split snaps with QB Jacob Eason on Sunday if Wentz is out, per Pelissero. It's obviously a situation to avoid in fantasy lineups.
Steelers ILB Devin Bush returned to full practice participation Wednesday. That's a particularly noteworthy turnaround after he missed Week 2 with a groin injury. Bush appears on track to return Sunday against the Bengals. OLB T.J. Watt also put in a limited practice just 3 days after leaving the loss to the Raiders with a groin injury. We'll track Watt throughout the week. OLB Alex Highsmith missed practice with his own groin injury but is merely a low-level IDP option at this point. CB Joe Haden (groin) practiced on a limited basis after missing Week 2.
Texans S Justin Reid is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Panthers. Reid left Sunday's game early with a knee injury and then missed the 3 days of practice on this short week. We'll check his status ahead of game time. The short week should probably factor into your starting decision, though, even if he's active.
Bucs WR Antonio Brown did, indeed, test positive for COVID, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Brown is vaccinated, so he's eligible to return after 2 negative tests 24 hours apart. That gives Brown a chance to be cleared in time for Sunday's game against the Rams. But Schefter tweets that, "it will be tough for Brown to play." We've lowered Brown in the Week 3 Rankings for now, as owners should be lining up other options for this week. We'll continue to monitor the situation.
The Chargers held practice Wednesday without EDGE Joey Bosa (foot, ankle) and S Derwin James (toe). James played every defensive snap in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, and Bosa matched his Week 1 allotment (82%), so we're guessing neither is a serious issue. But we'll watch their participation levels through the week.
Niners HC Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he hoped RB Elijah Mitchell's shoulder injury was merely a stinger but that it's actually a "little worse," according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's got a chance" to play in Week 3, Shanahan added. We'll have to track Mitchell's progress through the week. The other injuries around the San Francisco backfield make it tough to know right now what the succession plan would be if Mitchell's out.
Raiders QB Derek Carr (ankle) put in a full practice on Wednesday. HC Jon Gruden confirmed afterward that Carr is "ready to go" for this weekend's game vs. the Dolphins. Carr, who sits 5th among QBs in fantasy points so far, is a viable QB1 play in Week 3.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. His injury isn't believed to be serious, but Mitchell shouldn't be considered a lock to play vs. the Packers on Sunday night. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
49ers RB Trey Sermon (concussion) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. It means that he's made some progress through the league's protocol. If Sermon can get cleared in time for Sunday night's game vs. the Packers, the 49ers might be forced to give him a significant role.
Patriots RB Damien Harris was limited in Wednesday's practice with a finger issue. It's the 1st we've heard of it. At this point, there's no reason to believe Harris is at risk of missing Sunday's game vs. the Saints. But we'll keep an eye on him.
Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault (shoulder) put in a full practice on Wednesday. Shenault underwent an MRI on Monday that evidently revealed no major issues. He'll be out there for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Mike Zimmer reportedly didn't seem concerned about Cook after last week's loss to the Cardinals, but this is certainly a situation to monitor. If Cook can't play vs. the Seahawks this weekend, Alexander Mattison would step in as Minnesota's lead back.
Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins did not practice on Wednesday and is listed with a rib injury. That's all we know right now. Hopkins played his usual allotment of snaps in last week's win over the Vikings, so this might just be a maintenance day. Check back tomorrow for another update.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. We still don't know much about his knee injury, but we're assuming for now that Johnson won't play vs. the Bengals this weekend. That'd free up a bunch of targets for guys like Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth and Eric Ebron
Giants TE Evan Engram (calf) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He has a chance to make his 2021 debut vs. the Falcons this weekend. Engram should eventually re-emerge as a fantasy factor, but we'd try to keep him on benches until we know that he's back to 100%.
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