4 days agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) doesn't have a break to his clavicle area after undergoing a CT scan on Monday, according to a source. Aiyuk's ability to suit up for the Week 3 game against the New York Giants on Thursday night on a short week will be all about pain tolerance. The Niners listed Aiyuk as a non-participant on their estimated injury report on Monday, and he may not practice much, if at all, leading up to Thursday night's game. But if the 25-year-old is able to play through the pain, he could still be active against a suspect Giants secondary. It remains to be seen how effective Aiyuk will be if he plays at less than 100 percent, though. Aiyuk's Week 3 status could come down to a game-time decision on Thursday.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Santa Rosa Press Democrat - Jack Hammer

4 days agoNew York Giants running back Matt Breida might be the obvious choice to serve as the team's leading rusher if Saquon Barkley (ankle) misses any time after spraining his right ankle in the Week 2 winread more...

4 days agoNew York Giants rookie running back Eric Gray didn't get much work in the backfield during training camp this summer, but that could change if the Giants seek a change of pace if Saquon Barkley (ankle) misses any time after spraining his right ankle in the Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Gray impressed as a punt returner on Sunday, picking up 14 yards in the fourth quarter to help set the offense up with good field position. The 23-year-old is shifty in the open field and could be a weapon in the passing game. However, he could be a liability in pass protection in his first NFL season, which could limit the amount of touches he gets behind Matt Breida if Barkley misses time. The fifth-rounder dressed for the first two games, but all 20 of his snaps so far have come on special teams.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton

4 days agoDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that the coaching staff may need to simplify the offense a bit in order to help quarterback Russell Wilson be more consistent. "I think, No. 1, the first thing that we always try to look at — but we have to do a better job of as coaches — is reduce the verbiage," Payton said. The Broncos offense wasn't getting to the line of scrimmage in a timely manner in their Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders. It's something Wilson and the offense also struggled with in 2022, but the 34-year-old did have his best game in a Broncos uniform on Sunday, going 18-for-32 for 308 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. However, he also lost a fumble and was sacked seven times, with his last TD pass being a miracle Hail Mary that somehow succeeded. Despite the better performance fantasy-wise in Week 2, Wilson remains a QB2 in fantasy heading into Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Denver Post

4 days agoSeveral NFL teams have checked in with the Los Angeles Rams about a potential trade for running back Cam Akers, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns, among others, according to sources. It's still possible the Rams outright release Akers for salary reasons, but the team is actively shopping him and he's more than likely played his last game in LA. Akers had three straight 100-yard rushing games with three touchdowns to close out the 2022 season. The Browns just lost star RB Nick Chubb (knee) for the rest of the year, and the Ravens lost J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) in Week 1, so they are both obvious landing spots for Akers. Depending on where the 24-year-old ends up, he could be back on the fantasy radar again in short order in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Schultz

4 days agoCleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford will step in as the team's featured ball carrier after the season-ending knee injury sustained by Nick Chubb in Week 2, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. However, the team is still looking to add a player to its running back room consisting of Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. Ford remains a top waiver wire option after posting over 100 yards in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he should retain plenty of value whether the team adds a notable running back or not. Signing a free agent like Kareem Hunt or Leonard Fournette or trading for Cam Akers are potential options for Cleveland.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Mary Kay Cabot

4 days agoVeteran cornerback Anthony Brown was signed to the San Francisco 49ers' active roster on Tuesday. Brown was released from the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad on September 14, so he quickly found a new home. The 29-year-old defensive back suffered a torn Achilles in Week 13 of last season with the Dallas Cowboys but looks to make an impact for the 49ers in short order. Brown posted nine interceptions and 59 passes defended in 94 games for Dallas after being selected in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter

4 days agoCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson drew two facemask penalties in the Monday Night Football loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but will not face disciplinary action from the NFL for making contact with an official. Watson pulled a referee to the side on Monday night while talking to members of the Steelers sideline. The 28-year-old could be fined for his facemask penalties but is in no danger of facing a suspension, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Tom Pelissero

4 days agoNew York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle in the comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Numerous reports have put a two-to-three-week timeline on his return, but Giants head coach Brian Daboll has not ruled him out for the Thursday Night game against the San Francisco 49ers and said the running back is feeling much better. That said, it still seems improbable that Barkley, who has dealt with a ton of lower body injuries during his career, will play on such a quick turnaround. Assuming he's out, Matt Breida should be the primary ball carrier, with Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray possibly mixing in. Against a strong 49ers defense, Breida would have a low floor and is not worth starting in 12-person leagues.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Raanan

4 days agoCarolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (fibula) suffered a fractured fibula in the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday. The 29-year-old underwent surgery to repair the injury and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season. Thompson has been a reliable run-stopper for Carolina since entering the league in 2015 as a first-round pick. In his absence, Kamu Grugier-Hill will start at linebacker. Carolina's run defense could take a step back moving forward.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport

4 days agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Allen Robinson II secured two of his three targets for 12 yards in a 26-22 victory against the Cleveland Browns. Robinson, who led the team in targets and receiving yards in Week 1, was expected to see additional opportunities with Diontae Johnson (hamstring) sidelined in Week 2, but the veteran was unable to make an impact on Monday night. Pittsburgh's inefficient offense certainly didn't do him any favors as the team turned the ball over or punted on nine of its 14 possessions. Although Robinson should continue to operate as the Steelers' WR2 for at least the next three games with Johnson on Injured Reserve, it's difficult to project him for any worthwhile fantasy production. The 30-year-old will hope to be more involved in a Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

4 days agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers defense was dominant in a 26-22 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. Pittsburgh recorded six sacks, an interception, and two touchdowns while recovering all three of the fumbles it forced. The Steelers got off to a hot start when linebacker Alex Highsmith intercepted Deshaun Watson for a 30-yard touchdown on the first drive of the contest. Later, Highsmith forced a fumble that five-time Pro-Bowler T.J. Watt recovered and returned for a score that would eventually prove to be the game-winner. Pittsburgh's defense bounced back in a big way after surrendering 30 points to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Fantasy managers should continue to have confidence in the Steelers D/ST, especially in a Week 3 bout with the Las Vegas Raiders.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

4 days agoCleveland Browns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin was once again a non-factor on offense for the Browns in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Goodwin played five more offensive snaps (15) than he did in the season opener, but he was targeted just two times by quarterback Deshaun Watson and didn't catch either pass. In his two games so far for the Browns, the 32-year-old speedster is still looking for his first reception while being targeted four times. Goodwin is currently well behind Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, David Njoku and Donovan Peoples-Jones in the pecking order on offense and is well off the fantasy radar as a deep threat right now.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com

4 days agoPittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled both of his field goal attempts and went two-for-two on extra-point tries in a 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Boswell was busy on Monday night as Pittsburgh's offense was largely unable to capitalize on defensive stops. Still, it's hard to expect sustained production from a fantasy kicker on a team that struggles to score. Fantasy managers should continue to look elsewhere, even with Pittsburgh getting a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

4 days agoCleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant put up a donut in the score column in Monday night's 26-22 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Bryant was unable to haul in either of his two targets in the game after catching two of his four targets for five yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, David Njoku caught all four of his targets on Monday for 48 yards. Bryant's first target of the night deflected off his hands and went for a pick-six to Pittsburgh's defense to open the scoring. The 25-year-old played 27 offensive snaps to Jordan Akins' nine, but he's still well behind Njoku in the tight end pecking order in Cleveland and can be ignored for fantasy purposes.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com