Team news | Page 112

Without Kupp, Van Jefferson would step into the No. 1 receiver role, while Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua would become Nos. 2 and 3. Depth receiver Ben Skowronek would likely play more on special teams this season than in the offense. But if Kupp is absent into the season, Skowronek knows each receiving position as well.

This depth chart is something else. Van Jefferson should be a fantasy target regardless of Kupp's health, but finding usable weeks for the other three options listed are sure to be hard to come by. Nacua is fine as a late-round dart, but Atwell has only one game of 60+ yards receiving and one other separate game with more than two receptions since being taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Mike Evans has set a Week 1 deadline to receive a new contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with his representation indicating the wide receiver will look to play elsewhere in 2024 if no deal is reached.

Related Players: Chris Godwin

This is a bit of odd timing, as we are one week away from the regular season kickoff. There were rumors during the beginning of the offseason about the team possibly looking to trade Evans or Chris Godwin and eye a rebuild, but those died down quickly.
Deal or no deal, all signs point towards Evans suiting up for the Bucs in Week 1 and throughout the 2023 season.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Kendre Miller has a hamstring injury. Wouldn’t say if it will impact Week 1.

Related Players: Jamaal Williams, Kirk Merritt, Alvin Kamara

As it stands, the only active running backs on the Saints roster are Jamaal Williams and Kirk Merritt, though Jordan Mims and Tony Jones are on the practice squad. 4for4's injury expert, Jeff Mueller, believes the hamstring is related to offseason knee surgery, which will impact his Week 1 status. Either Williams is going to have a monster workload right out of the gate, or the team will be immediately signing a free agent option to eat into that (still large) workload.

Rams head coach Sean McVay says Cooper Kupp has had a "setback." He calls it a "muscle strain."Day-to-day, per McVay.

"We're obviously a much better team when he's out there."

Related Players: Van Jefferson, Tyler Higbee, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell

These minor setbacks seem to be adding up for the 30-year-old Kupp's hamstring. Though fantasy drafters should refrain from overreacting, this certainly isn't a good look. Moving the surrounding cast of Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, and Stefon Diggs over Kupp is not out of the question as it stands.

There will be no action taken by the league on WR Tyreek Hill for his off-field issues this offseason, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports, per a source. Hill was investigated by police after a dispute with a South Florida marine worker who accused him of assault. The issue had since been resolved.

Related Players: Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson

The issue had become more or less a non-factor for drafters, as Hill often climbs into the middle of the first round. With no suspension being handed down, he can safely be considered a top-five fantasy wide receiver.

TE Zach Ertz about playing Week 1: “I don’t think it’s certain by any means.”
Has to keep working. Has to re-earn trust of teammates, coaches.

Related Players: Trey McBride, Geoff Swaim

We haven't heard a modicum of good news about the Cardinals offense through almost the entirety of the offseason. If Ertz is forced to miss time, we should see some extended playing time for sophomore Trey McBride, which will at least give us an idea of what he offers to this new-look offense with Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune at the helm.

The Vikings and T.J. Hockenson agreed to terms on a contract extension that makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends. Hockenson hasn’t participated in training camp while dealing with some ailments and awaiting a new deal. Now he’ll be back in drills and have time to ramp up for Week 1 against the Buccaneers.

Many have surmised that Hockenson's physical setbacks this summer probably had more to do with the contract extension than his back. Now back with the team, there is no reason to be concerned about a possible holdout, as fantasy drafters should continue to view him as a top-five option.

The Dolphins placed CB Jalen Ramsey, OL Robert Jones, and RB Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve. They’re out at least four games; Ramsey is expected back in December.

Related Players: Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane

Unless this adds fuel to the fire for the team to sign a veteran free agent (which is absolutely possible), the backfield belongs to Raheem Mostert and rookie Devon Achane for at least four games. Both of their values should jump into the RB3/4 range, but it's hard to get more excited than that, as the team as reportedly been shopping for RB help for months now.

Joe Burrow is walking out to practice with helmet and shoulder pads on.

Related Players: Jake Browning

With Burrow back at practice and Jake Browning the only other quarterback on the active roster, this should be a good sign that the starting QB will be ready to go for Week 1. This is the first time Burrow has even thrown warmups in practice since July 27th. There should be no worries about taking him in redraft leagues as normal.

The Miami Dolphins weren't the only team interested in acquiring Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts. The Green Bay Packers were also in talks with the Colts and had legitimate interest in trading for the star running back. Indianapolis moved forward after its self-imposed deadline of Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET came and went without receiving what the team deemed an acceptable offer for Taylor, who requested a trade last month and was authorized by the Colts last week to seek out a trade partner.

Related Players: Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Evan Hull, Zack Moss

This saga is far from over, as Taylor is still eligible to be traded despite remaining on the PUP list. The running back will miss at least the first four games of the regular season, regardless of who holds his contract. Taylor heading to Green Bay would be near-catastrophic for fantasy purposes, as we're already dealing with a split that chews into both Jones' and Dillon's fantasy value.

The Dolphins would be easier to stomach for those of us who have been draft best ball teams all Summer, as all of their RB options have been going deep in the double-digit rounds.