Eagles RB Ryan Mathews (groin) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game against the Cowboys. He was limited Wednesday, sat out Thursday but put in a full practice on Friday. He should play on Sunday. We’ll see if his role grows coming out of the bye. Consider Mathews a risk/reward RB3 or flex.
Jets QBs Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith are both uncertain for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Fitzpatrick suffered ligament damage in his left hand in yesterday's loss to the Raiders and will need surgery at some point, according to HC Todd Bowles. But it sounds like he'll put off that surgery for now. Bowles labeled Fitzpatrick day-to-day. Smith, meanwhile, is dealing with a "big bruise" on his left shoulder, per Bowles. There's no structural damage to the non-throwing wing. Bowles said that the team is exploring trade options for a QB. Rookie Bryce Petty is the only healthy QB on the roster right now.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. He didn’t practice all week, but San Diego isn’t ruling him out just in case he makes more progress than expected before kickoff. We’ll find out Gates’ status by noon ET on Sunday, but fantasy owners can’t be counting on him. Gates’ snaps would likely be limited even if he plays. Ladarius Green is a TE1 regardless of Gates’ availability.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that WR Dez Bryant (foot) has a "really good chance" to return for Week 8. Bryant ran and cut at full speed this past week and worked out on the field prior to yesterday's game against the Giants. "I felt real good," he said. "I'm just taking it day by day. That's all I can do, and stay strong." We'll continue to keep a close eye on Bryant's progress this week.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms that Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin (concussion) will play against the Steelers today. He shouldn't be limited at all, making him a borderline WR1 in a positive matchup.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (knee) is officially questionable after missing all 3 practices this week. HC Mike McCoy already confirmed that Gates can play without practicing. But the knee is a real concern. And we might not find out his official status until 3 pm ET on Sunday. Owners hoping to start Gates need a late-game replacement. The best would be Ladarius Green, who will be a high-upside TE1 if Gates doesn't play. Other options include Larry Donnell, Crockett Gillmore and Zach Ertz.
Contradicting a previous item, Bills HC Rex Ryan said after Sunday's win over Miami that RB LeSean McCoy is playing on "one and a half legs," according to Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News. Ryan reportedly added that McCoy is dealing with significant pain in his troublesome hamstring. That would explain his slow start, as well as Karlos Williams' 1-carry edge against the Dolphins. It's worth noting that Ryan had previously exuded almost nothing but confidence for McCoy's health status. Perhaps we'll see more of a timeshare in the coming weeks, especially after Williams' big Week 3. Ryan said the team hasn't considered sitting McCoy to get him back to 100%, but McCoy was more non-committal. "We got to look at everything," he said. "We'll figure it out. I'm not sure right now. I don't have a definite answer. We'll see what's going on." It's a situation to watch, and Williams should be picked up in any fantasy football league of at least moderate depth. If you own McCoy and someone else owns Williams, consider checking on the trade price for the rookie.
Despite spraining both ankles and a knee last weekend, Cowboys TE Jason Witten is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. He practiced all week, including a full workout on Friday. He’ll run his streak to 190 straight games played. But at less than 100% and with Brandon Weeden under center, Witten is just a low-end TE1.
Bengals RB Jeremy Hill lost 2 fumbles in Sunday's game against the Chargers. He was benched after the 2nd one in the 3rd quarter. "We can't have a back fumbling the football," HC Marvin Lewis said. "Jeremy's a talented young player and we've got to keep the football. That wasn't part of his deal last year, and we can't let it creep in." With Hill on the sideline, RB Gio Bernard ripped off 123 yards on 20 carries. That has this backfield looking like a pure committee heading into Week 3.
Brandon Bolden operated as the Patriots' 1st-team passing-down back in Friday night's preseason game. He finished with 5 carries for 12 yards and 0 catches on 1 target. Dion Lewis was the change-of-pace back with QB Jimmy Garoppolo and the 2nd-team offense. He looked good in hauling in all 4 of his targets for 20 yards and a score. RB James White, meanwhile, didn't get on the field as far as we could tell. This situation remains as muddy as even with less than 2 weeks until New England's opener. Avoid all 3 guys in fantasy drafts.
The Packers view WR Ty Montgomery as a "bigger Randall Cobb," according to insider Rob Demovsky. The rookie has been impressing in a variety of roles early in training camp. "You’ve seen how many different ways they use Cobb out of the backfield, out of the slot, end around type things. We’ve seen all of that already with Montgomery," Demovsky added. "[Aaron] Rodgers has commented, and so has Jordy Nelson, just about how studious he is. When you study like that, you gain the trust of the quarterback." Montgomery would need an injury to Nelson, Cobb or Davante Adams to have a shot at reliable fantasy value this season, but he's worth tracking in redraft leagues and stashing in dynasty setups.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger suggested that Markus Wheaton remains the team's #2 WR. "We're in 2-WRs (sets), he's our #2 and we're asking him to play outside," Big Ben said. "When we go 3 WRs we ask him to move inside." Roethlisberger obviously hasn't been reading the clippings on WR Martavis Bryant's impending breakout 2015 season. Bryant remains a strong bet to out-produce Wheaton this year, but if he truly stays 3rd on the depth chart and isn't an every-down player, he'll struggle for week-to-week consistency. This will be a situation to keep a close eye on over the next month. Wheaton could end up as a value pick at his ADP is he retains the #2 spot. Big Ben named Wheaton his team's "breakout player of the year."
Packers WR Jordy Nelson (hip) was on the field and practicing on the 1st day of training camp Thursday. He missed the majority of the offseason after undergoing hip surgery, but he returned to individual drills in June minicamp and appears at or close to 100% now. Unless he suffers a setback in August, consider the hip a non-issue. Nelson is fairly priced at his current 2.06 ADP.
Raiders QB Derek Carr has been experiencing numbness in his right ring finger, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. The team is hoping that Carr can avoid surgery and address the issue with rest and rehab. "Nobody sounds overly alarmed for now," Mort adds. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora also hears that the issue is "very, very minor." Carr will still be worth closely monitoring, though, because the injury is to his throwing hand. He also figures to miss some offseason practices, which isn't ideal considering the Raiders are installing a new offense and have 2 new starting WRs.
Undrafted free agent RB Zach Zenner latched on with the Lions. Zenner hails from South Dakota St. but gained a cult following in the pre-draft process thanks to an impressive combination of production and measurables. He posted 3 straight 2,000-yard rushing seasons with 58 TDs over that span. He also caught 77 balls during that 3-year stretch. Then Zenner checked into the Combine at 6'0, 223 pounds and ran a 4.60-second 40-yard dash with a 41-inch vertical and 121-inch broad. That gave him the 2nd highest SPARQ score in this year's RB class -- behind new teammate Ameer Abdullah. Detroit's backfield is currently a bit crowded with the 2 rookies, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. But Bell turns 29 in August and Riddick only looks like a pass-catcher. Zenner is capable of emerging as a "big back" complement to Abdullah down the road.
The Dolphins on Friday traded WR Mike Wallace and a 7th-round pick to the Vikings for a 5th-round pick. The low-cost for a talented wideout heading into just his age-29 season shows just how much Miami wanted to get rid of him, and perhaps how wary other teams remain of the big contract he signed. Regardless, Wallace brings deep speed to a Minnesota team suddenly deep at wideout. The Vikings boast 2014's emergent Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson -- who's heading into just his 3rd year -- and veteran Greg Jennings. (We'll see if Wallace's arrival threatens Jennings' status.) For now, it's tough to find Wallace enough volume to climb beyond WR3 territory in fantasy football, but there's no clear #1 in Minnesota's WR pecking order. QB Teddy Bridgewater can only gain value from adding Wallace's big-play speed. The 2nd-year mean looks like a solid pick near the bottom of the top 12 at QB. We'll be very interested to watch this offense through the summer.
Vikings OC Norv Turner said RBs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon will play against the Saints on Sunday. He added that he "might use 1 more if he gets a hot hand." That's a bit surprising since McKinnon doesn't seem ready for a significant role. He's still not a Week 3 fantasy option but is definitely worth stashing. Turner's comment makes Asiata a riskier fantasy play. A subpar NFL talent, he's unlikely to develop that hot hand.
With Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) looking unlikely to play against the Texans this weekend, HC Dennis Allen suggested that RBs Darren McFadden and Latavius Murray could share backfield duties. "We'll start with Darren, and it probably will be more series-wise with Latavius and Darren," Allen said. McFadden remains the superior fantasy play, but he's a shaky RB3 or flex. Murray shouldn't be in Week 2 fantasy lineups but is an intriguing stash.
Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict left Sunday's opener against Baltimore in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. He suffered the injury when he hit Ravens QB Joe Flacco shortly before halftime and has been ruled out for the game. Burfict will obviously need to go through the league protocol before returning now. We'll see what his status is for Week 2. Baltimore moved the ball much more easily on the Bengals D in the 2nd half without Burfict around.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (hamstring) is "50-50" to play against the Cardinals on Monday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gates injured the hamstring in practice on Saturday and is officially listed as questionable. Between the late kickoff and risk for reinjury, Gates should be on fantasy benches this week. TE Ladarius Green is already an intriguing fantasy option in Monday's plus matchup. Gates' absence would only add to his appeal.
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