September 18, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Will Shipley (rib/oblique) returned to practice Thursday for the first time since suffering his Week 1 injury. The second-year back flashed in the opener with three carries for 26 yards, showcasing his big-play potential before exiting. While Shipley logged just 30 carries as a rookie, his role behind
Saquon Barkley is expected to expand this season. If he can stay healthy, Shipley profiles as the primary change-of-pace option in Philadelphia's backfield and a valuable handcuff for fantasy managers rostering Barkley.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Martin Frank
September 18, 2025
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III could be set for a big Week 3 performance against the Saints. He broke out for 105 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries last week, though
Zach Charbonnet actually led the team with 15 rushing attempts. With Charbonnet (foot) sidelined in practice and questionable for Sunday, Walker may be in line for a heavy workload. Facing a Saints defense ranked 18th against the run and giving up 111.5 yards per game, Walker profiles as a RB1 if Charbonnet is limited or out.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Seahawks.com
September 18, 2025
With
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) sidelined, Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is set for an expanded role in Week 3. He now slots in as the change-of-pace option behind
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and could see steady early work, especially if QB
Jayden Daniels (knee) is limited against a fierce Raiders pass rush led by Maxx Crosby. Still, fantasy expectations should be tempered -- Las Vegas has allowed just 3.2 yards per carry and 70.5 rushing yards per game, making Rodriguez more of a deep-league stash than a plug-and-play option this week.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Commanders.com
September 18, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins wasted no time making his presence felt, racking up 61 yards on 10 carries with three receptions for another 10 yards in his debut. The strong showing has vaulted him to the top of the Browns' depth chart, and fantasy managers should take note. With a potential 15-20 carry workload lined up against the Packers, Judkins has immediate RB2 upside and belongs in starting lineups. His explosive playmaking could not only elevate Cleveland's backfield but also open up more opportunities for veteran quarterback
Joe Flacco.
--Shaun AlbinSource: clevelandbrowns.com
September 18, 2025
Baltimore Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely (foot) is on the practice field for the team's first practice of the week on Thursday, according to Bo Smolka of Press Box. Likely will probably be listed as limited, but it's a good sign that he's making progress after being limited last Friday. The 25-year-old is probably facing an uphill battle to be active on Monday night in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions, but he's getting closer to making his 2025 debut. If you're not stoked on your TE options in fantasy, Likely is worth a pickup now if he's available in your league's waiver wire. Fellow tight end
Mark Andrews has been uncharacteristically quiet in two games with Likely sidelined, catching only two of his four targets for seven yards, with the Ravens scoring over 40 points in both of their games. With Andrews struggling, Likely could certainly take over TE1 duties in Baltimore once he's back to full strength.
--Keith HernandezSource: Press Box - Bo Smolka
September 18, 2025
When asked if Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (back) is no longer on a snap count, head coach Matt LaFleur said, "We'll see." Parsons, who was listed as questionable on the injury report in the first two weeks of the season, is not on the injury report this week as the team prepares to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. Despite being eased into action in his first two games with the team, the 26-year-old has still made an impact, recording three tackles (one solo), 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and four QB hits in wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. It's unclear if Parsons will remain on a snap count in his third game of the season, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should have him in their starting lineups against the Browns and immobile veteran quarterback
Joe Flacco.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
September 18, 2025
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye said on Wednesday that he needs to get wide receiver
Stefon Diggs the ball more, while also acknowledging that he needs to "focus on finding open receivers," according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. "I haven't heard Stefon (Diggs) say one thing about 'I need the ball more.' That is not something that I've ever heard," offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. Through the first two weeks of the 2025 season, Diggs' 89 receiving yards rank him third on the team, although he's first in targets (12) and first in catches (10). The 31-year-old veteran is being involved, but it sounds like Maye is looking for more. It's what Diggs' fantasy managers want to hear, and he could be due for a big game in Week 3 against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has looked long in the tooth.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) is missing a second straight practice on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Daniels suffered a knee sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday night and is trending toward missing the Week 3 contest this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 24-year-old has a shot to return to practice on Friday, but the Commanders are expected to err on the side of caution with the second-year signal-caller. Veteran backup
Marcus Mariota is preparing to start this weekend, and it was telling that Washington had him available to speak to the media on Wednesday, and not Daniels. Fantasy managers should be preparing as if Daniels will not be available for Week 3. Don't be so sure that he'll make it back for Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, either.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 18, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs (ankle) is practicing on Thursday after he picked up a DNP in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's James Boyd. It's unclear if Downs was limited or a full-go, but the fact that he's back on the practice field gives fantasy managers hope that he'll be able to play in Week 3 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The 24-year-old caught just two of three targets for 12 yards in the season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins, but he bounced back with six catches for 51 yards on eight targets in the Week 2 victory over the Denver Broncos. If he's active, Downs will be an intriguing WR4/flex play in fantasy again this weekend against a Titans defense that has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to the position through the first two weeks.
UPDATE: Downs was able to practice in full on Thursday.--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
September 18, 2025
Indianapolis Colts rookie tight end
Tyler Warren (toe) is returning to practice on Thursday after he was a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Warren could wind up as a limited participant on Thursday, but the important thing is that he's back on the practice field, giving him a chance to play in Week 3 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. In the one-point win over the Denver Broncos in Week 2, the 23-year-old played a healthy 93 percent of the offensive snaps and caught four of his seven targets for 79 yards. Through his first two NFL games, Warren has 11 receptions for 155 yards on 16 targets. The Colts have made it no secret that he's a big part of their game plan, making him a top-five fantasy TE if he's active this weekend against the 0-2 Titans.
UPDATE: Warren was limited on Thursday.--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said the challenge for rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be "playing without the ball." "Every time he's touched it, good things happen," but Kingsbury stressed that pass protection or just running his routes properly is a "big deal." However, the OC said he's "impressed by his work ethic." Washington's top pass-catching back, veteran
Austin Ekeler, is out for the year after tearing his Achilles in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Croskey-Merritt has averaged an impressive 7.1 yards per carry on his 14 rushing attempts in his first two NFL games, but he's failed to reel in his two pass-game targets, and it sounds like he has work to do before being trusted in obvious passing situations going forward.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. will have a role with Ekeler out, but it might be
Jeremy McNichols who gets the first shot in passing situations, starting in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - John Keim
September 18, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent defensive end Clelin Ferrell to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Ferrell will help fill in as a pass-rusher for the Chargers after they placed Pro Bowler Khalil Mack (elbow) on Injured Reserve after he dislocated his elbow in the Monday night win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Ferrell, the former fourth overall pick, has plenty of NFL experience, starting 57 career games. The 28-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Washington Commanders and racked up 26 tackles (11 solo), 3.5 sacks, nine QB hits, and a forced fumble in 14 regular-season games (10 starts). Ferrell was cut by Washington at the end of training camp this summer, but he'll return to the AFC West with the Chargers and will likely fill a rotational role as the Bolts look to replace Mack's production over at least the next four games.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
September 18, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow (toe) is scheduled to have surgery on Friday if the swelling in his injured toe goes down, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Burrow will have a procedure to fix his Grade 3 turf-toe injury, according to sources. The surgery may be pushed back a few days. Once he goes under the knife, he'll be facing a three-month recovery. The Bengals are keeping the door open for the 28-year-old signal-caller to return this season, but if Burrow does make it back, it won't be until at least mid-December, leaving a small window for him to contribute for fantasy managers who make a run into the playoffs. In the meantime, backup
Jake Browning will lead Cincy's talented offense. Browning has the skills to be a serviceable QB streamer in fantasy with one of the best 1-2 punches at the receiver position in the league, but he's also no Joe Burrow.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 18, 2025
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback
Mac Jones' performance in the Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints "doesn't really affect" whether
Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) will play in Week 3 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Basically, when the Niners feel comfortable enough putting Purdy back out there, he'll be out there. Jones went 26-for-39 for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 26-21 win over New Orleans, but make no mistake, there is no QB controversy in the Bay Area. Purdy is the starter once he recovers from turf-toe and shoulder injuries. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and has a chance to serve as Jones' backup this Sunday against Arizona. Jones will start at least one more game this weekend, where he'll be in play as a low-end QB in superflex leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Eric Branch
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) is "preparing mentally" on Thursday ahead of the Week 3 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. "Marcus is taking the reps and Jayden is preparing mentally," Kingsbury said. When asked for a specific update on the health of Daniels, Kingsbury didn't have one, but he did say the team has full confidence in backup
Marcus Mariota. Daniels suffered a knee sprain in last Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers and will not practice before Friday, at the earliest. While Washington hasn't ruled Daniels out this weekend, all signs point to them erring on the side of caution and holding him out. Fantasy managers should have already picked up a backup QB this week if Daniels was the only signal-caller on your roster going into the week.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Nicki Jhabvala
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