Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 21

No practice again for a second straight day for Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler, who has an ankle injury.

Related Players: Joshua Kelley

The team could very well be taking extra precautions for the veteran, who very likely doesn't need to be eased into the playbook after how well he performed in Week 1. That likely doesn't ease fantasy managers' minds, but we'll find out more after Friday practices. Joshua Kelley should be rostered in every single fantasy league, regardless of Ekeler's Week 2 status after he notched 91 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries last week.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler injured his ankle in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.

Head coach Brandon Staley said Monday that Ekeler is day to day, with his status for Wednesday’s practice to be determined.

Related players: Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson

Ekeler was unable to finish Sunday’s game, finishing with 20 touches for 164 yards and a touchdown on 41 snaps. Backup Joshua Kelley played 39 snaps and had 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers chose to make Isaiah Spiller, a 2022 fourth-round pick, a healthy scratch in favor of undrafted rookie free agent Elijah Dotson, who played only one snap, the story said.

The Titans removed WR Treylon Burks (knee) from the injury report and he's good to go for Sunday's opener vs the #Saints.

Related Players: Deandre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Burks is thankfully back in the lineup, but he could still be an iffy start on fantasy squads. Hopkins is still a good bet to eat up target share on a team looking to run the ball as much as possible. Hopkins is a good Flex play while Burks should stay on the bench while we see what this offense is capable of.

The Commanders removed WR Terry McLaurin from the injury report. He's good to go Sunday vs. the Cardinals.

Related Players: Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle

Fantastic news, as this matchup is amazing for fantasy purposes. With a full practice on Friday, there should be no reason to keep McLaurin out of Week 1 fantasy lineups. His season-long outlook as a WR2 remains intact.

A good sign for the Commanders: WR Terry McLaurin (toe) was a full participant in practice today.

Related Players: Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown

This is fantastic news, as a full Thursday participation hints that there will be a full workload for McLauren in Week 1. Sam Howell is a very intriguing streamer once more, as McLauren himself should be considered a fantasy WR2.

Sources in Washington are optimistic about Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (toe). He’s responded well to work on the field so far, with a few days of practice remaining before the sold-out home opener against Arizona.

Related Players: Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle

This is a tough situation for fantasy managers who likely just drafted McLaurin last weekend. It's even worse for managers who took a running back-heavy approach who may even be relying on him as their team's WR1. Expectations should be limited right out of the gate, and McLaurin may end up on benches for teams with many other WRs on their team. His season-long outlook should remain very strong.

The Commanders are hoping star receiver Terry McLaurin will be healthy enough to play the season opener Sunday, but Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports that McLaurin’s status remains uncertain.

McLaurin injured his toe in an Aug. 21 preseason game against the Ravens and was diagnosed with turf toe. He is progressing in his recovery, per Jhabvala, and the Commanders consider him day to day. Coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday he would not update any injuries until Wednesday when it is required by the league, the story said.

While it was assumed a talent of Sean Tucker's caliber could make the roster if healthy, climbing the depth chart to plant himself as the main backup to Rachaad White was impressive. Going from undrafted to RB2 means a lot to the rookie runner.

“I just want to showcase my talents and provide whatever I can to the team,” Tucker said. “I want to help us win going into the season and just making the 53 (man roster) is a dream come true and is somewhere I’ve always wanted to be.”

Related players: Chase Edmonds, Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Tucker's story is a great one. At one time he was primed to be a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft, but ended up not even getting drafted. He signed with the Bucs after the draft and from there climbed the depth chart and beat out veterans Edmonds and Vaughn. Tucker ran for 81 yards on 23 carries, adding 22 yards on five receptions. He also had a 12-yard touchdown called back against the Steelers. Tucker seems like a smart pickup for those who own White in leagues this season.

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.

Treylon Burks is back at practice.

This is great news since recent reports indicated the team wasn't sure of his status for Week 1. Burks has been out since mid-August with a sprained LCL. DeAndre Hopkins likely slides into the WR1 role, allowing Burks to grow as the team’s number two target. He should still see a bump in usage from last season.