DEN RBs Moreno, Buckhalter could play Thursday

Alvin Kamara practiced fully Wednesday after missing the season opener with a knee injury. Head coach Kellen Moore indicated that Kamara probably could have played in Week 1 and is expected back against Baltimore.

Related Players: Travis Etienne, Kendre Miller, Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson

Kamara’s return should reduce Etienne’s passing-down involvement and remove Miller from fantasy consideration. Etienne remains the better bet to lead the Saints in carries, but Kamara can immediately reclaim a receiving and hurry-up role, depending on how efficient he ends up being with those touches.

Demond Claiborne is expected to receive an expanded opportunity while Jordan Mason misses at least four games following thumb surgery. The sixth-round rookie was inactive in Week 1. Minnesota has also promoted DeeJay Dallas to the active roster and added Jerome Ford to the practice squad, so Claiborne’s precise place behind Aaron Jones remains unsettled.

Jones should lead the backfield, but Claiborne is the most interesting longer-term addition because of his speed and receiving ability. He is a deep-league stash rather than a Week 2 starting option. Dallas could initially handle more passing-down and special-teams responsibilities.

Texans WR Nico Collins injured his hamstring at Wednesday’s practice, met with doctors after and they “don’t believe it’s serious,” per source. Yet Collins’ status for Sunday’s game vs. the Bengals is in jeopardy.

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

The early medical assessment is reassuring, but this was a new injury suffered during practice rather than a maintenance limitation. Collins can remain in projected lineups for now, though a Thursday absence would create legitimate concern. Hutchinson, Boutte and Noel would compete for additional receiver reps if Collins cannot play, with Schultz also positioned for more targets. Stroud’s ceiling would take a noticeable hit.