Fantasy Football News | Page 23

Caleb Douglas out Sunday... Hafley said he expects Chris Bell to play.

Related Players: Malik Washington, Ryan Miller, Kevin Coleman Jr., Greg Dulcich

Bell has caught only one of three targets for 25 yards through two games, but Douglas’ absence should secure an expanded route share for the rookie. Miami’s passing environment and a difficult Kansas City matchup leave Bell as a deep-league or DFS dart throw. Washington remains the best fantasy option in the receiving corps.

Mason Taylor will be out for Sunday's game vs. Detroit, Aaron Glenn said. Francisco Mauigoa and Minkah Fitzpatrick will also be out. Kene Nwangwu is doubtful.

Adonai Mitchell will also be limited in practice today because of a finger injury. His finger caught in a jersey.

Joseph Ossai and David Bailey will fully practice.

Related Players: Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert, Garrett Wilson

Sadiq receives the most meaningful bump after catching five of six targets for 38 yards and adding a rushing touchdown through two games. His early-season playing time has remained below 50%, but Taylor’s absence creates a path to a season-high workload. Sadiq is a deeper-league streamer against Detroit, with Ruckert likely absorbing additional blocking and rotational snaps.

Commanders GM to @JunksRadio about Jayden Daniels’ injury: “As of right now, surgery is not on the table and we haven’t discussed IR.”

Related Players: Marcus Mariota, Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Antonio Williams, Rachaad White

This is the first concrete indication that Daniels could avoid an extended absence, although fantasy managers should not treat “quick return” as an established timeline. Mariota remains a low-end Superflex option for Week 3, with McLaurin and Diggs sitting alongside one another as WR3 plays. Daniels should remain stashed wherever possible.

Rams coach Sean McVay said he's not sure whether Puka Nacua will play in Week 3, but the team is not worried that the wide receiver's injury will be "any sort of long-term threat."

Nacua did not play Monday night with what was listed as a hip injury on the injury report, but McVay later clarified that Nacua was dealing with "a little bit of soreness" in his groin.

Related Players: Davante Adams, Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson

A fifth consecutive absence Friday would place Nacua in serious danger of missing another game. Adams would remain Matthew Stafford’s clear top target if Nacua sits, while Ferguson could benefit after returning to full participation Thursday. Parkinson missed practice with a knee injury, leaving the Rams’ secondary receiving options unsettled.

Two official changes on the Giants injury report Thursday:

-- LT Andrew Thomas did not practice

-- WR Malik Nabers was a full participant. He was limited on Wednesday.

Related Players: Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., Isaiah Likely

The full practice removes most of the concern surrounding Nabers’ shoulder. Jameis Winston taking over for Jaxson Dart and left tackle Andrew Thomas missing Thursday’s practice lower the overall offensive ceiling, but Nabers remains a fantasy starter as New York’s unquestioned top target.

Mike McCarthy on DK Metcalf and where he's at:

"I think just the biggest thing, number one, just know he has our support. We're going to throw the ball to DK. I can promise you that. But just continue to work. He's a true professional."

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington

McCarthy’s comments do not guarantee an immediate breakout, but Pittsburgh clearly has no intention of reducing Metcalf’s role after two inefficient games. His current low-end WR2 ranking appropriately balances the expected volume with an offense that has struggled to create explosive plays. Fantasy managers should continue starting him as a lower-end WR2/WR3, with hopes that a blow-up game could turn things around. Metcalf has shown he is able to turn one positive play into some big fantasy output.

Some other notes from the open period to media:

- WR Michael Pittman Jr. continued to work today. He is battling a foot injury but was participating.

- Spencer Anderson still has the big wrap on his lower right leg.

- Rico Dowdle did not participate but was out of his boot. Jaylen Warren was participating.

- Joey Porter Jr. continues his work. Jamel Dean and Jalen Ramsey returned to practice after missing yesterday.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington

Pittman is moving in the right direction, although his official Thursday participation level and Friday status will determine whether he is a viable Week 3 option. A full practice would put him on track to play; another limited session would leave him as a risky flex. Wilson and Bernard would lose some opportunity if Pittman returns.

No Nico Collins, Ed Ingram or Jadeveon Clowney at practice today.

Dalton Schultz and Trent Brown, who didn’t practice Wednesday, have both returned.

Related Players: Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel, Jared Wayne

Collins needs to return Friday to retain a realistic chance of playing, and even a limited session would leave him carrying substantial re-injury risk. Schultz remains the clearest beneficiary of another absence. Hutchinson, Boutte and Noel are the highest-ranked available Houston receivers, although the Texans used a committee approach without Collins in Week 2.

For the second straight practice, the Ravens are without two prominent starters on offense: WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) and LT Ronnie Stanley (toe).

It’s looking like Baltimore will be without Flowers for a second consecutive game.

Related Players: Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester, Chris Moore, Elijah Sarratt

Flowers is moving toward the doubtful side of questionable and should not remain in lineups without a meaningful Friday upgrade. Bateman would again operate as Baltimore’s top wide receiver, with Walker, Wester, Moore, and Sarratt fighting for scraps. Andrews should remain one of Lamar Jackson’s primary targets and carries additional volume upside if Flowers is inactive.

Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is “moving pretty well” in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter said the original recovery estimate was six to eight weeks, but Brown currently appears capable of returning closer to the six-week end of that range. He cautioned that Brown still has work ahead and characterized six weeks as an estimate, not a firm timetable.

Related Players: Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, Hunter Henry

This is modestly encouraging for Brown’s rest-of-season outlook, but it does not support planning around an immediate Week 6 activation. He remains a strong IR stash, with Week 8 looking like a more practical target if Schefter’s six-week estimate proves accurate. Doubs, Hollins and Douglas should continue handling the majority of New England’s WR opportunities in the meantime.