Fantasy Football News | Page 30

Raiders are listing TE Brock Bowers as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Chargers due to his knee injury, per HC Klint Kubiak.

Related Players: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas, Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, Ashton Jeanty

Fantasy managers should prepare to be without Bowers despite his limited return. Mayer is a viable replacement at a thin position and should again handle the majority of Las Vegas’ tight end work. Tucker, Nailor and Jeanty also have paths to additional targets.

Kyler Murray has been ruled out against Chicago after failing to clear the concussion protocol. Carson Wentz will start, with J.J. McCarthy serving as Minnesota’s backup.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell expects Murray to clear the protocol next week.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason

Wentz is an emergency Superflex option in a road matchup against Chicago. His presence lowers the ceiling of Minnesota’s passing game, but Jefferson remains a must-start WR1. Addison and Hockenson carry more efficiency risk than usual. The positive outlook for next week suggests Murray may only miss one game.

Commanders game status:

OUT
TE Chig Okonkwo (hamstring)
LB Frankie Luvu (groin)

Related Players: John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Jayden Daniels

Bates and Sinnott should absorb the available tight end reps, but neither is a compelling fantasy replacement. Okonkwo’s absence could produce a modest target bump for McLaurin and Diggs rather than creating a usable tight end streamer.

Falcons QB Cooper Rush is taking the first-team reps now and is expected to start Week 2, sources say. No surprise, with Michael Penix Jr. not quite ready.

Related Players: Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Jahan Dotson, Bijan Robinson, Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa

Rush is an emergency Superflex option as opposed to a typical single-quarterback starter. The favorable Carolina matchup keeps London, Pitts, and Robinson usable at their current rankings, although Rush’s presence lowers the passing game’s ceiling. The offense could lean more heavily on Robinson and the running game.

Texans Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins not practicing Friday morning, and not expected to play Sunday after sustaining Grade 1 hamstring injury Wednesday during practice, per league source
@KPRC2

Also not practicing during open portion: Jadeveon Clowney (knee), Ed Ingram (groin)

Related Players: Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Dalton Schultz, C.J. Stroud

Managers should make plans to remove Collins from lineups despite the absence of an official “out” designation. Schultz offers the safest route to additional targets, while Hutchinson, Boutte, and Noel should form a committee at receiver. Collins’ expected absence also lowers Stroud’s ceiling against Cincinnati.

Chris Olave left practice as a precautionary measure, I'm told. Nothing that is expected to be a problem.

Related Players: Tyler Shough, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant

The clarification substantially reduces concern surrounding Olave’s Thursday limitation. Barring a Friday setback, he should remain in fantasy lineups as a high-end WR1 after commanding 10 receptions for 182 yards in Week 1.

Bills WR DJ Moore, who was off to a fast start in Buffalo, is believed to have suffered an AC joint sprain, sources say. While it’s not a serious injury, @AdamSchefter reports his status is up in the air for next week.

Related Players: Josh Allen, Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman

The favorable diagnosis appears to have eliminated a prolonged absence, but Moore could still miss Week 3. Coleman caught all six of his targets for 63 yards Thursday and would be positioned for considerably more playing time alongside Shakir and Palmer if Moore sits.

Michael Pittman Jr. did not practice Thursday because of a foot injury after being limited Wednesday.

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

The Thursday downgrade creates legitimate Week 2 uncertainty. Metcalf would consolidate an already substantial target share if Pittman sits, while Wilson would be positioned for a larger route share. Freiermuth could also receive additional short-area opportunities.

Tua Tagovailoa missed his second consecutive practice with an oblique injury and has yet to participate this week.

Related Players: Cooper Rush, Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus

Tagovailoa is trending toward an absence, but Atlanta’s replacement remains uncertain. Rush offers the safer health profile, while Penix would carry more volatility after returning from a significant knee injury. London and Pitts would retain starting consideration with either quarterback, though both would have reduced passing-game ceilings.

Olave was added to Thursday’s injury report because of a hamstring injury. He was able to participate on a limited basis.

Related Players: Tyler Shough, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant

Friday’s participation will be important because Olave was added rather than carried over from Wednesday. Vele would become New Orleans’ leading wide-receiver option if Olave cannot play, with Johnson and Fant potentially absorbing additional middle-of-the-field opportunities. Shough would receive a significant downgrade without his clear No. 1 target.