Polamalu and Parker to play, Mendenhall to start

Oct 16, 2009

The Steelers will get two of their injured Pro Bowl players -- safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker -- back for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. But it appears only one of them will start.

Polamalu, who missed four games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, has practiced all week and will start against the Browns, wearing a protective brace that will restrict his mobility.

But Parker, who missed the past two two games with a turf-toe injury, is expected to be replaced again in the starting lineup by Rashard Mendenhall, even though Parker practiced all week and said his toe is feeling better.

Mendenhall returned to practice today after missing Thursday's session with flu-like symptons and looked just as he did in the previous two games against the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions, when he rushed for 242 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Chargers to sign RB J.K. Dobbins on one-year deal

Tom Pelissero

yesterday · 7:45 PM EDT

Former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is planning to sign with the #Chargers on a one-year deal. Electric when healthy, Dobbins — who averages 5.8 yards per carry in his career — reunites with OC Greg Roman and can hit the market again in March.

Related Players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has had poor injury luck in his career, but has only managed 234 total rushes since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Chargers and might give them a runway to wait a little longer in the '24 Draft before they address the position.

Apr 16

Cowboys sign RB Royce Freeman

Todd Archer

Apr 16 · 8:15 PM EDT

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

Apr 15

Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year extension

Ian Rapoport

Apr 15 · 10:45 AM EDT

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Fantasy Impact:

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.