Packers RB Josh Jacobs pleads no contest to misdemeanor charges

Sam Darnold is expected to miss next week's game, but he should be back sooner, rather than later, sources say. Could be just a few weeks.

With 17 days from Wed. until their Week 3 game against the Commanders, Darnold gets a schedule break, as well.

Related Players: Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, AJ Barner, Jadarian Price

Lock is positioned to start Week 2 and becomes relevant in two-quarterback and superflex formats. Darnold’s apparent avoidance of a major injury reduces the likelihood that Lock develops into a long-term waiver option.

Smith-Njigba remains a strong weekly start after Lock successfully funneled the passing game through him Wednesday night. The quarterback change creates more concern for Seattle’s secondary pass-catchers and could allow opponents to devote additional attention to the running game.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown, who left last night’s opener because of an injury, is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, per me and @MikeGarafolo.

X-Rays were negative for a fracture. Brown has an MRI today to determine how much time he’ll miss.

Related Players: Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Demario Douglas, Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon

High-ankle sprains frequently produce multi-game absences, although Brown’s precise timetable remains unconfirmed. New England has a helpful 10-day break before hosting Pittsburgh on Sept. 20.

Doubs should presumably receive the cleanest target increase despite his shaky Week 1, while Hollins and Williams are the most direct candidates to replace Brown’s perimeter snaps. Henry could also benefit from additional intermediate targets.

Jadarian Price received a clear majority of Seattle’s early-down snaps Wednesday night, confirming his place in the Kenneth Walker role. George Holani handled every third-down and two-minute snap.

Price was also removed near the goal line, where Emanuel Wilson entered once Seattle reached the five-yard line. A delay-of-game penalty prevented that possession from providing a clearer indication of Wilson’s scoring-area role.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet

The opener confirmed Price as Seattle’s primary early-down runner but also exposed a potentially damaging lack of passing-down and goal-line opportunities. He remains a viable RB3 while Charbonnet is sidelined, although negative game scripts could leave him with a pretty miserable floor.