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Brian Branch Getting Closer to a Return?
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (Achilles) appears to be making progress in his recovery, even though a return isn't imminent. Head coach Dan Campbell fielded questions about his injured safeties Tuesday, saying that Branch is closer to returning than Kerby Joseph (knee). That doesn't necessarily narrow down the timeline, but it's worth noting that Branch is eligible to be activated from the PUP list as early as October 5th. Thomas Harper and offseason addition Chuck Clark have filled in at safety in the meantime. The Lions would welcome a Branch return with open arms, as the former first-round pick made the Pro Bowl in 2024 before registering 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss in 2025.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
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Kerby Joseph Hits a Snag in Recovery
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (knee) continues to rehab his knee injury, but the process has taken longer than anticipated. Head coach Dan Campbell discussed his status on Tuesday, noting that Joseph won't return until after fellow safety Brian Branch (knee) is back. Joseph and Branch are both on the PUP list, and while the latter could return as soon as he's eligible to be activated on October 5th, it doesn't sound like that's the case for the former. Campbell stopped short of saying Joseph had a true setback, but he did admit that "there was a time there where we weren't able to do everything we needed to do." He said that Joseph won't play until his knee has returned to its maximum strength and he feels confident in the body part, presumably while running and making cuts. Joseph has spent all four of his pro seasons with the Lions, and he was a First-Team All-Pro in 2024 after picking off nine passes that season. Last year, he had 18 tackles and three interceptions before the knee issue cut his campaign short.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Seahawks Leaving the Door Open for Sam Darnold to Play in Week 3
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) continues to recover exceptionally well, and the team isn't ready to rule out him out for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. Darnold will return to practice on Wednesday, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com didn't shut down the possibility of Darnold playing this week. Specifically, he said that we may see Drew Lock at quarterback for one more game, but that it wasn't certain. The fact that the door is even somewhat open for Darnold to play this week is remarkable, given that he's less than two weeks removed from suffering a pulled muscle against the Patriots on the opening night of the 2026 NFL season. Right now, it seems like the safe bet would be that Darnold returns in Week 4. However, he's already so far ahead of schedule in his recovery that it wouldn't completely shock us to see him get ready in time for Week 3, either. Managers should stay tuned to the Seahawks' injury reports for more clarity.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Kirk Cousins is an Intriguing Add Ahead of Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has played above expectations through the first two weeks of the season. The 38-year-old has thrown for over 400 yards and has six touchdowns in two games. He has helped the Raiders get to a 2-0 record as they head into a Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Cousins won't be the long-term solution in Las Vegas, but the Raiders are going to ride with him for now. With that being said, fantasy managers looking for a viable streaming option should consider picking up Cousins. He has been playing well enough to be trusted as a starting option against the Saints defense in Week 3.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Will Shipley Could be a Deep-League Stash Option
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley saw more involvement than expected during the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. Normally, Shipley only gets a carry or two, but he played over 50 percent of the offensive snaps on Sunday. His increased playing time was because Saquon Barkley (stinger) was forced to exit the game in the first half. Shipley did a nice job filling in as he carried the ball seven times for 24 yards, while hauling in both targets for five additional yards. At the moment, it's unclear if Barkley will be ready to go for the Monday Night matchup against the Chicago Bears. Given the fact that Barkley is banged up, Shipley is worth a look as a deep league stash with the possibility of an increased workload in Week 3.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dawson Knox Could See an Uptick in Value
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox was able to find the end zone for the first time this season last Thursday. He hauled in both his targets for five yards and a touchdown in the win over the Detroit Lions. Outside of that touchdown, Knox has been a non-factor for the Bills this season. There is a chance that he does see a larger role if wide receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) is forced to miss time. Knox has proven to be a viable red zone target for this offense throughout his career. The 29-year-old doesn't offer a ton of upside, but he could be a touchdown-dependent play if Moore is unable to play in Week 3.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jaylin Noel Offers Deep-League Appeal
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel stepped into a larger role in this offense in Week 2. Noel saw an expanded role in the passing attack with Nico Collins (hamstring) on the sideline this past weekend. Noel was targeted five times, but he only managed to haul in one of those passes for 31 yards in the loss. It doesn't sound like Collins is going to be ready to play in Week 3. That should mean that Noel will get another chance to prove himself this weekend. He'll get a better chance to do that against the Indianapolis Colts struggling defense. Noel hasn't given fantasy managers a reason to trust him, but he should be worth a look in deep leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
T.J. Hockenson is Gaining Value Ahead of Week 3
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is looking to break out after two average performances to begin the season. The veteran tight end has been held under 40 receiving yards during each of the first two games. Better days should be ahead for Hockenson with quarterback Kyler Murray set to return for the Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hockenson has a chance to do some damage against a defense that has allowed 172 yards and two touchdowns to tight ends this season. The 29-year-old might be able to push himself into the low-end TE1 range for this weekend. He'll be worth a look for fantasy managers who need a tight end for Week 3.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Brock Bowers Expected to Make Season Debut in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is expected to make his 2026 season debut in Week 3 on the road against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 23-year-old star tight end missed the first two games of the year after having the meniscus in his knee trimmed right before the start of the regular season. Michael Mayer was an unspectacular TE2 streamer in his absence, catching nine passes for 55 yards in wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers. Bowers, the 13th overall pick in 2024, caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie and is expected to be the No. 1 option in the passing game for veteran Kirk Cousins now that he is on the verge of a return. Bowers has become riskier for fantasy purposes after missing time the last two years with knee issues, but when healthy, we all know that he has the potential to be the most productive TE in the NFL. If Bowers does not suffer a setback in practice this week, he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups for Week 3 in New Orleans.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Charlie Kolar Undergoing Forearm Surgery
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) is undergoing surgery to fix a broken forearm that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Kolar plans to make a full return after his four-week stay on short-term Injured Reserve. If Kolar's rehab goes according to plan after surgery, he could be ready to return when he is eligible for the Chargers' game on Nov. 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. In the meantime, with David Njoku (knee) also on IR for the Bolts, Oronde Gadsden now has a clear path to the TE1 role in a Chargers offense that is looking for answers after starting 0-2 in 2026. There was a bit of training camp hype for Kolar in Mike McDaniel's offense this year, but it did not come to fruition through two games, with Kolar sharing snaps with Gadsden and Njoku and catching three passes for 21 yards, with all of that coming on Sunday before he was hurt against the Raiders. Kolar still has a chance to make some noise when he returns from his forearm injury, but it is going to be tough in L.A.'s crowded TE room.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Packers Unsure of Jayden Reed's Chances of Returning This Season
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver Jayden Reed (neck) is back in Green Bay and is going through a series of tests, but he does not know about Reed's chances of playing again this season, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "It's way too early for that right now. He's got a lot going on," LaFleur told reporters on Tuesday. Not only will Reed most likely be out for Thursday night's game in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, but it sounds like the Packers think he could miss the entire rest of the 2026 season. The 26-year-old is no stranger to injuries, playing in just seven games last year. Reed caught four of his first eight targets through two weeks this year for only 24 yards. He was carted off the field in Sunday's Week 2 win over the New York Jets on a backboard and was taken to a local hospital, where he stayed overnight. This is a serious injury, so fantasy managers with Reed rostered should not expect a speedy return. His absence going forward will mean more targets for receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, as well as tight end Tucker Kraft.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Mason Taylor Likely to Miss Week 3 With Thumb Injury
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (thumb), who suffered a thumb injury in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, is considered week-to-week and is likely to miss the Week 3 contest this weekend against the Detroit Lions, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 22-year-old former second-rounder last year from LSU caught 44 of 65 targets for 369 yards and only one touchdown in 13 games as a rookie in a bad Jets offense, and he was expected to eventually take a back seat this year to first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq, who missed much of training camp following hernia surgery. When Taylor returns from his thumb injury, there is a good chance he will see his role shrink behind Sadiq. Taylor has only two receptions on three targets for minus-two yards through the first two weeks of his sophomore campaign. Sadiq, who is rostered in only 18% of Yahoo leagues, should become more attractive on the waiver wire this week with Taylor now banged up. The 21-year-old from Oregon is an elite athlete with more downfield pass-catching prowess and versatility. He already has five catches for 38 yards and has run in a touchdown in his first two NFL games.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Brandin Cooks Signing With 49ers' Practice Squad
Veteran free-agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks is signing with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad on Tuesday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Initially, Cooks will be on the practice squad to get up to speed for games. The 13-year veteran and former first-rounder from Oregon State is 189 yards short of 10,000 receiving yards for his NFL career. The 32-year-old is a well-traveled journeyman as well, having played for six teams already while recording six 1,000-yard seasons, including four straight years from 2015 to 2018 with the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Rams. The Niners' WR depth has been decimated, first with Ricky Pearsall (knee) going out for the year, and then rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) being lost for 10 weeks. Demarcus Robinson suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins, and veteran Mike Evans also injured his hip, although he is expected to be fine. Cooks might need some time to get up to speed while learning a new offense, but do not count him out as a potential deep-league streamer in the future in 2026, depending on the state of the 49ers' WR room by then.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Rico Dowdle Considered Day-to-Day With Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe), who was carted to the locker room on Sunday in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots with a toe injury, checked out relatively OK following tests, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Dowdle is considered day-to-day with a Week 3 matchup coming this weekend at home against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old should be available for this Sunday's game, but it could depend on how much he can do during practice from Wednesday through Friday. Before leaving on Sunday against the Pats, Dowdle had seven carries for only 22 yards and caught both of his targets for an additional 22 yards through the air. If Dowdle is limited at all or out in Week 3 versus the Bengals, backfield mate Jaylen Warren would become a clear RB2 for fantasy managers as Pittsburgh's primary back. In the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Dowdle averaged just 1.9 yards per carry for 15 yards on eight carries, adding two catches for six yards. It has been slow going so far for him in 2026 in his first year with the Steelers.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Vikings Sign Jaret Patterson to Practice Squad Amid RB Injuries
The Minnesota Vikings plan to sign free-agent running back Jaret Patterson to their practice squad, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Patterson, who spent last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, will provide depth for the Vikings' backfield after they placed Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve. Veteran Aaron Jones Sr. handled the bulk of backfield work in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday, but they do not want to put too much on his plate, and they also do not think that rookie Demond Claiborne is quite ready for an expanded role as an RB2. The only other option on their current 53-man roster is veteran DeeJay Dallas. The 26-year-old Patterson, a former undrafted free agent from Buffalo, had 41 rushing attempts for 159 yards and one touchdown while adding three catches for eight yards in six games (one start) for the Bolts last year. Patterson will be a long shot for any fantasy relevance this year, even with Mason currently on IR.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Jayden Reed Missing Another Practice
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (neck, back) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Tuesday for the second straight day on a short week as the team prepares to play on Thursday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, according to the team's official website. Per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, Reed is back in Green Bay after staying overnight in the New Jersey area on Sunday due to a back/neck injury that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets. All signs are pointing to Reed missing Thursday's game, but we are awaiting word from head coach Matt LaFleur on how much time he might have to miss. The 26-year-old former second-rounder from Michigan State caught his only target for four yards before leaving on Sunday and had three receptions on seven targets for 20 yards in the season-opening loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Reed's injury should only strengthen the Year 2 breakout case for former first-rounder Matthew Golden going forward, especially with Green Bay's WR room very thin behind Golden and Christian Watson.
Source: Packers.com
Source: Packers.com
Broncos Try Out Three Running Backs Amid Roster Injuries
The Denver Broncos tried out running backs Jaden Nixon, Sam Scott, and Marcus Yarns on Tuesday, per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. With Broncos backs RJ Harvey (hamstring) and J.K. Dobbins (leg) both dealing with injuries that have their status for Week 3 in question, it appears the team is looking to add some depth at the position. None of the three -- Nixon, Scott, or Yarns -- has recorded an NFL carry to this point in their careers. If Harvey and/or Dobbins are unable to play in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams, rookie back Jonah Coleman and pass-catching specialist Tyler Badie would likely handle Denver's backfield duties. Still, the fact that the Broncos hosted a running back workout on Tuesday may indicate that the team has some concern over the status of Harvey, Dobbins, or both.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Pat Freiermuth an Under-the-Radar Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Week 3
Across his first two games of 2026, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has recorded nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The 27-year-old's numbers regressed across the board in 2025, but he appears to be re-emerging as the TE1 in Pittsburgh under a new coaching staff in 2026. In Week 3, Freiermuth has a favorable matchup on paper against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati allowed 14 targets to Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz in Week 2, and Freiermuth recorded six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets across two games against the Bengals last season. Especially if Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) remains sidelined, Freiermuth could be a worthy tight end streamer for fantasy managers in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacoby Brissett Back in the Streaming Conversation Heading into Week 3
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough game in his team's Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, completing 17 of 28 pass attempts for 95 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, the 33-year-old was far more productive in Arizona's Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 277 passing yards and a touchdown. Perhaps most encouragingly for fantasy managers, Brissett has averaged 39.2 pass attempts per game since taking over as the Cardinals' QB1 early in the 2025 season. With that type of pass volume, Brissett could bounce back with a productive game in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. In his lone start against San Francisco last season, Brissett threw for 452 yards and two touchdowns on 57 pass attempts. For deeper-league fantasy managers who may have lost a quarterback to injury in Week 2, Brissett could be a worthy streamer to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Brooks Still Worth Stashing Despite Underwhelming Production?
Across the first two weeks of the 2026 season, Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks has recorded 55 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches. While Brooks' numbers are underwhelming, he's led the Green Bay backfield in snaps in both of the team's games so far and appears to be locked in as the preferred option on passing downs. The Packers haven't exactly gotten inspired production from fellow running backs Kaleb Johnson and MarShawn Lloyd, which could lead to Brooks seeing a few more opportunities on the ground. Green Bay also has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. For as long as Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt list, Brooks could be worth stashing off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Not Looking to Manufacture Touches for Marvin Harrison Jr.?
When asked if the Arizona Cardinals planned to manufacture touches for struggling wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., head coach Mike LaFleur did not really sound interested, according to Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. "I know it's like, 'Well, just get some easy completions to get going,'" LaFleur said. "And that's fine. You also have Trey McBride, who's one of the best underneath guys in the world. And there's only about 60, 65 plays a game. And you've gotta run the ball. And you've got Kendrick, who works underneath pretty well, too. So everyone's kind of got their role." The 24-year-old Harrison's role might continue to be as a barely targeted former first-round bust in Arizona with Bourne emerging as a trustworthy option for quarterback Jacoby Brissett alongside McBride and Michael Wilson. Harrison has only one catch on four targets for 33 yards through two games and is a must-bench going into the team's Week 3 tilt against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
