Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 23

RB Isaiah Spiller back at practice

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

With Ekeler the lead back, right now Kelley is the team's RB2. However Spiller could be ready to go for Week 1, and if not, it should only be a matter of time before Spiller moves up the depth chart. It was also reported Sony Michel, recently released by the Dolphins, was in town to meet with the Bolts, so this is something to monitor.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on 1053 The Fan on Michael Gallup (knee), who will not be playing Week 1: “If (Week 1) was the Super Bowl, he’d be lining up and playing. He’s that ready.”

As the tweet said, we know Gallup isn't going to play Week 1. Gallup isn't on the PUP list so it looks like he's at least going to be ready before Week 5 of the season. But, if you want to believe Jones, it sounds like he could be a lot closer to getting back.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson was released from the hospital Monday, one day after being shot twice in an armed robbery attempt.

Robinson will meet with Washington's doctors Tuesday at the team's facility to determine the extent of his rehabilitation, according to a source. Washington remains optimistic about his chances of playing this season, but coach Ron Rivera said Monday they're uncertain when he'd be able to return.

Related players: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

Robinson was shot in Washington, D.C., early Sunday evening. He underwent surgery and posted an Instagram story that his "surgery went well." Depending on what doctors determine Tuesday, Robinson could be placed on the non-football injury list, which would require him to miss the first four games, the story said. While the news about Robinson is positive overall, there is no timetable for a return. Gibson and McKissic will lead the way until the promising rookie makes it back onto the field.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson was shot multiple times as a victim during an attempted robbery but is in stable condition.

Certainly a scary situation here, but the good news is that Robinson is in stable condition. JP Finlay of NBC Washington reports the injuries are not life-threatening. Obviously, in a situation like this, fantasy comes second, but Robinson had a strong preseason. For the time being, Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic should be the top guys in the Washington backfield. Hopefully, Robinson gets well soon. Thank goodness the injuries are non-life threatening.

Ron Rivera on if RB Antonio Gibson will be the team's top kick returner this season: "You still need to see some more stuff, but you know, I think he is. I do. I think he's done a nice job.”

Related players: Brian Robinson, J.D. McKissic

Rivera added he's seen Gibson get "more and more comfortable" on KRs. Fortier's tweets went on to quote Rivera: “When you watch it on tape, you see him circling the ball, getting under it, making a good catch. It's something he did well in college, and we're pretty excited having him do it.”

We first got wind of Gibson returning kicks as what some who follow the team deemed a punishment for a key fumble in a preseason game. He was also working with the third team but did get first team reps eventually. There is always a fear of additional injury when returning kicks, but it seems like the Commanders feel comfortable with rookie running back Brian Robinson's development this summer and he could be in store for a significant workload.

By being on 53-man roster next Tuesday, Cowboys WR Michael Gallup will be able to play sometime during season’s first four games.

As Gehlken went on to say, this doesn’t mean he will be ready Week 1. In fact, he added Gallup has even said he won’t be ready. But, he’ll be available to Dallas before Week 5, Gehlken added. Encouraging news for Gallup and the Cowboys offense.

RB Isaiah Spiller (ankle) will miss the final preseason game and there is “a chance” he’ll miss the season opener Week 1 against the Raiders, Brandon Staley said.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

Kelley, according to several reports, is ahead of everyone in terms of the RB2 role, so this will likely solidify that situation. Ekeler will get a bulk of the work and Rountree could see some snaps as well until Spiller gets back. Spiller could climb into the RB2 role eventually, but for now that will be Kelley.

Washington activated TE Logan Thomas from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List.

Related players: John Bates

Now it will be a race to get ready for Week 1. Thomas had a nice year in 2020 before getting hurt in 2021. He caught 72 balls for 670 yards and six TDs. A lot of that production came over the final five weeks, including catches of 9, 6, 13 and 7 from Weeks 12-15. He also collected 44 of his 110 targets during that four-week span. Obviously he was poised for a huge year in 2021 before tearing his ACL. The potential is still there for 2022, assuming he can get back up to speed. He'll have some late-round value as a TE2 with TE1 potential if things go right. If he's not ready, Bates would be next up.

Standig remarks that Carson Wentz has displayed more chemistry with Jahan Dotson than any other wide receiver in camp.

Related Players: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown

This isn't to say that Terry McLaurin isn't the unquestioned number one on this team, but it's a good sign that the 16th-overall pick would seem to be the for sure second option in the Washington passing game. Dotson also seems to be the favorite to be the primary punt returner, if you're looking for a tiebreaker and another option late in drafts.

Smith underwent surgery on his thumb earlier this offseason, but head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters today that he may avoid missing any time during the regular season.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt, K.J. Osborn

This comes as a relief for fantasy players who miss out on the top-tier of tight ends. All we need is one less option at our disposal in the double-digit rounds. If Irv Smith Jr. is healthy from the start, he makes for an interesting post-hype breakout candidate after he was forced to miss most of the 2021 season due to a torn meniscus. Former Viking Tyler Conklin was able to turn in a TE16 finish on what we presume was a much more run-heavy offense than what the 2022 Minnesota Vikings offense will look like.