Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 9

Bills HC Sean McDermott said he thinks Isaiah McKenzie is going to be ready to go Thursday.

Related players: Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Jamison Crowder

McKenzie has been one of the darlings of the summer and appears to have a nice connection with QB Josh Allen. It looks like McKenzie, as of now, has a chance to play Week 1 and serve as the team's WR3. We list McKenzie as a WR4 in our rankings heading into Thursday night. If he can't go, Crowder would fill in that role.

Coach Matt Eberflus was quoted earlier in the week that he was expecting N'Keal Harry back in a month or so. This obviously makes the timeline much longer, stretching now until at least the middle of the season.

Related Players: Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown

The already-thin wide receiver group becomes even thinner, although the team wasn't likely to be relying on a career resurgence into a number one option by Harry this season. The Bears were unable to claim any wide receivers off the wire this week, and were actually forced to put Tajae Sharpe on IR to clear room for the six players they did claim.

Rondale Moore and Zach Ertz will also “be close,” per Kingsbury.

Moore's injury hasn't been announced, while Ertz is dealing with a calf injury. It's at least a good sign for both as we're still over a week away from Week 1.

The Los Angeles Chargers plan to sign running back Sony Michel, who was released by the Miami Dolphins earlier this week, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Roundtree

As part of the transaction, the team is releasing Roundtree. Michel should slide right into the RB2 role ahead of Kelly and Spiller. Spiller is battling an injury and while Kelley had a good camp and was winning the RB2 battle, Michel can be considered an upgrade and should form a nice compliment to Ekeler.

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.

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.

Heading into their final preseason game, the Chicago Bears' wide receiver depth chart is clear for their top-four options; Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Velus Jones.

An uninspiring group, to say the least. Pringle may technically be operating as the WR2, but all signs point to TE Cole Kmet benefitting from being the second option in the passing game. Pringle does make for an interesting late-round addition in best ball formats.

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.

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.