Fantasy Football News | Page 1169

Eagles wide receiver Mack Hollins was held out of the session with a groin injury, but said, via Jeff McLane of Philly.com, that he expects to be good to go for Thursday’s game against the Falcons.

Alshon Jeffery is eligible to practice with the team after being activated from the physically unable to perform list over the weekend, but he’s not ready to do so yet.

Related players: Nelson Agholor, Mike Wallace, Shelton Gibson, DeAndre Carter

Jeffery is a big loss for what is likely a couple of games. Agholor and Wallace should get a lot of targets as the Eagles top-two WRs. Expect the Birds to probably use two TE sets with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert, as well as RBs Darren Sproles and Corey Clement getting in the passing game as well.

WR Tyrell Williams back practicing for the Chargers.

Related players: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams

Williams was out about two weeks with his foot injury and is still the team's WR2. While Allen is a top-10 fantasy WR, we have Williams down at 62 on our list because he will likely be more of a boom or bust fantasy option.

I'm told Jets are officially naming QB Sam Darnold as the starter, per sources.

Related players: Josh McCown

With Bridgewater traded to the Saints, McCown will now be the backup. This decision certainly wasn't a surprise as Darnold played very well in the preseason. Darnold is 28th on our QB list but is worth a stash in leagues where you can start multiple quarterbacks.

The Raiders are signing former #Bengals WR Brandon LaFell to a 1-year deal with upside.

Related players: Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson

There was a need after Martavis Bryant was released, Rapoport said, but his fantasy value remains to be seen at this point. LaFell could emerge as the third option behind Nelson and Cooper and ahead of the rest of the pack: Seth Roberts, Dwayne Harris, Johnny Holton and Keon Hatcher.

Giants TE Evan Engram participated in the portion of practice open to the media.

Reports said Engram was limited, but Duggan tweeted a little later that Engram appears to be on track to play in a tough matchup Week 1 against the Jags.

Head coach Doug Pederson just told me that Nick Foles will start at QB on Thursday vs Atlanta. He is on way to announce to Media now.

Related players: Carson Wentz

Reports came out on Saturday but the team wouldn't officially confirm until today. The Eagles said all along Wentz would need to get a full week of practice in to play Week 1, but Wentz has yet to be cleared for contact. Until that happens, Foles will get the start.

The Pittsburgh Steelers held their first practice of the regular season Monday, and in one aspect, it looked much like all of the preceding ones from training camp, minicamp and organized team activities.

LeVeon Bell wasn’t a part of it.

The All-Pro running back, who has missed all team activities this summer, was not at practice when it started at 10:45 a.m. Monday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Bell has not signed his $14.54 million franchise-tag tender and won’t take the field until he signs it.

Related players: James Conner

On Sunday night, Bell posted a video to his Snapchat account that showed him in a hotel overlooking a beach, the story said. Bell has spent his time away from the Steelers training in South Florida. GM Kevin Colbert said the team is disappointed Bell hasn't signed his tender and joined his teammates.

Last year Bell showed on Labor Day, but the Tribune-Review story said Monday's practice was a bonus as the team plans to ramp up workouts Wednesday. It's possible Bell is waiting until then. But, obviously the longer this goes on the more risky Bell is for Week 1. If you haven't picked up Conner, it may be a good idea to grab him.

As for Steelers RB LeVeon Bell, one of his teammates just told me there are “no signs of him here at all.”

Related players: James Conner

The tweet game just before 6 a.m. eastern time so by now things are already under way as she added the practice was in two hours. This is, of course, the Steelers first official practice of the season heading into Week 1. Reports said Bell denied a story he would show on Monday. Obviously the longer he misses time this week, the more risky of a play he is for Week 1, assuming he does show up.

Over the past 15 years, only two rookie tight ends have produced more than 600 yards receiving. The Giants’ Evan Engram totaled 722 yards receiving last season, and John Carlson recorded 627 with the Seahawks in 2008.

Of the 18 tight ends drafted this year, only three are projected starters: Hayden Hurst, Miami’s Mike Gesicki and the New York Jets’ Chris Herndon.

The biggest reason, the story said, is that tight end is a position different than any other on offense. Like offensive linemen, tight ends have to learn the concepts of blocking schemes. Like wide receivers, tight ends have to understand the nuances of route-running. The story also noted Jason Witten, Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates all totaled fewer than 45 catches and 550 yards receiving in their rookie seasons. Each one eclipsed 80 receptions and 950 yards the next.

Wide receiver Deonte Thompson didn’t make the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster on Saturday, but he will reportedly be back with the team in time for Week 1.

Related players: Noah Brown

He would take the spot of Brown, who missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury and would be headed to injured reserve, according to the story.