Fantasy Football News | Page 24

The Rams are not practicing today (they’re just having a jog-through) and Puka Nacua will not participate. McVay said he’s not sure whether Nacua will play in Week 3 but that the team is not concerned about it being a long-term injury for the WR.

Related Players: Davante Adam, Terrance Ferguson, Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell

Nacua’s Sunday-night kickoff creates another difficult lineup decision unless his status becomes clearer before the early games. Adams remains a high-end starter either way. Ferguson and the Rams’ fringe receivers would receive more opportunities if Nacua misses a second straight game, but none of the secondary wideouts currently projects as a dependable fantasy start.

D.J. Moore is practicing today and in a red non contact jersey after leaving last Thursday’s game with a shoulder injury.

Don’t see Keon Coleman or Ed Oliver. Joe Brady said that some players who aren’t out there today could end up playing.

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

Moore’s return in a non-contact capacity is an encouraging first step, but it does not guarantee that he will be cleared for Sunday. His ability to handle contact later in the week will be more instructive. Kincaid and Shakir would receive the strongest target boosts if Moore cannot play, while Coleman and Palmer would have opportunities for additional wide receiver reps.

Mike Macdonald said QB Sam Darnold (glute) won't take every rep in practice today and that they'll ramp him up as the week goes on. He said they'd like to have a decision by Friday on whether or not he's playing Sunday at Washington.

Related Players: Drew Lock, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, AJ Barner

Darnold’s return to practice gives him a legitimate chance to reclaim the starting job, but fantasy managers should avoid committing to either Seattle quarterback until Macdonald announces the decision. Lock has played well enough to remain a viable QB2 if he draws another start. Smith-Njigba remains an elite option regardless of the quarterback, while Seattle’s secondary pass catchers carry more volatility.

Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Zay Flowers (hamstring) is among the players who are day to day.

Here is Minter’s response on whether the field condition in Rio affects whether Flowers plays Sunday against the Cowboys: (above link)

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

Flowers’ continued absence is notable after he missed Week 2, although the day-to-day designation keeps a Sunday return possible. Bateman would again operate as Baltimore’s top wide receiver if Flowers sits, with Andrews positioned for another prominent target share. Walker, Wester, Moore and Sarratt would continue rotating behind Bateman. Flowers likely needs to return in at least a limited capacity Thursday to generate meaningful confidence in his availability.

Couple of QB updates from Ben Johnson
-Starter for Monday vs. Philly TBD.
-Case Keenum will practice Wed. Tyson Bagent (not at Halas today as part of CP), Caleb Williams will not.
-No plans to sign another QB this week.
-Johnson got a text Tuesday morning that Bagent was being evaluated for a concussion symptoms, believes he got hurt on first 3rd down play (van Ginkel), not Dallas Turner sack on final play.
-Williams has been a part of walk thru, is "actively involved" in prep/game planning

Related Players: Case Keenum, Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, D'Andre Swift

Keenum is currently the only quarterback Chicago can confidently prepare to start, although the Monday kickoff gives Williams and Bagent additional recovery time. A Keenum start would lower the passing-game ceiling for Burden, Odunze, and Loveland while potentially encouraging Chicago to lean more heavily on Swift. The late kickoff also creates a lineup-management problem, so managers relying on Bears pass catchers should secure Monday-night alternatives where possible.

Brock Bowers getting ready for Wednesday’s practice. All signs pointing towards a 2026 Week 3 debut in NOLA.

Related Players: Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor, Michael Mayer, Ashton Jeanty, Kirk Cousins

Bowers immediately returns to the weekly TE1 tier if active, although the Raiders could manage his snaps after he missed the first two games. His return would reduce Mayer’s route and target outlook while also adding competition for Tucker, Bech and Nailor. Unless the Raiders indicate that Bowers will be heavily limited, fantasy managers should plan to start him Sunday.

Bengals WR Andrei Iosivas tore a ligament in his thumb and will be placed on IR.

Iosivas will be back at some point this season, Taylor said.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Dohnte Meyers, Colbie Young, Mike Gesicki, Joe Burrow

Iosivas will miss at least four games, but his absence should primarily concentrate targets around Chase and Higgins rather than create a reliable third fantasy receiver. Meyers and Young are the deeper wideouts most likely to inherit his rotational reps.

Texans Nico Collins, Ed Ingram not practicing not expected back this week.
Jadeveon Clowney (bone bruise, knee) working out on side field

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

Houston appears prepared to play without Collins for a second consecutive game. Schultz should remain one of Stroud’s most reliable targets, while Hutchinson, Boutte and Noel will continue sharing the wide receiver opportunities. None of the three has separated enough to become a confident fantasy starter. Collins managers should begin planning around another absence instead of waiting for Friday’s designation.

WR Arian Smith had ACL surgery and is out for the year, per Glenn.

Related Players: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams, Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor

Smith was obviously not in anyone's starting lineup, but it does further consolidate the Jets' pass-catchers. Mitchell and Williams are the likeliest candidates to absorb his field-stretching and rotational reps behind Wilson.

Colts WR Alec Pierce is being placed on IR after aggravating his surgically repaired left heel, coach Shane Steichen said.

Pierce will rehab with the "hope" of returning this season, but there's no definitive timeline.

Related Players: Darius Slayton, Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, Laquon Treadwell, Deion Burks, Tyler Warren

In a separate report, Stephen Holder mentioned that Darius Slayton could potentially play on Sunday.

Pierce will miss at least four games, and Steichen’s refusal to offer a timetable suggests his absence could extend beyond the minimum. Downs and Allen should remain Indianapolis’ leading wide receiver targets, while Warren is positioned to maintain a prominent middle-of-the-field role. Slayton could eventually assume Pierce’s vertical and perimeter responsibilities, but his late arrival makes him a watchlist or deep-league addition rather than a confident Week 3 option.