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Ravens Work Out Brandin Cooks Amid WR Injuries
The Baltimore Ravens worked out veteran free-agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks on Thursday, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The Ravens' receiving depth is going to be tested early in the 2026 season after rookie Ja'Kobi Lane suffered a fractured wrist in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and top wideout Zay Flowers (hamstring) is also questionable to play in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. With both Flowers and Lane potentially out this weekend, Baltimore could be looking at a starting three-wide set of veteran Rashod Bateman, rookie Elijah Sarratt, and Devontez Walker. The soon-to-be 33-year-old Cooks has six 1,000-yard receiving seasons to his name in 12 NFL seasons, but his last one came in 2021 with the Houston Texans. Cooks played in 15 games with the Saints and Buffalo Bills last year and had only 24 catches for 279 yards and zero touchdowns. He could be a short-term solution for the Ravens for extra depth at the position, but if he signs, he will be a long shot to return significant value in fantasy football leagues, especially as soon as this weekend.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
More Recent News
Joe Burrow Limited for Second Day in a Row
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (back) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday for the second day in a row this week, according to Jay Morrison of BengalsTalk.com. Bengals came down with some back tightness after the Week 1 season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and although he has not been a full participant yet, the 29-year-old did more on Thursday and looks to be on track to be fine for the Week 2 tilt in Houston against the Texans this Sunday. The three-time Pro Bowler and former first overall pick out of LSU in 2020 went 25-for-35 passing in the season opener for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception to beat the Bucs 33-27. It was not a vintage Burrow performance, but it was solid enough, and Burrow will be a must-start again in all traditional fantasy football leagues if he is active this weekend against Houston, as expected.
Source: BengalsTalk.com - Jay Morrison
Source: BengalsTalk.com - Jay Morrison
Kyler Murray Limited Again on Thursday
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion) was listed as limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune. Murray suffered a scary concussion early in his Vikings debut in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers and was placed in the league's concussion protocol. Veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz tossed three touchdown passes and led the Vikings to a comeback last weekend, and he will be in line to start in Week 2 against the division-rival Chicago Bears if Murray does not get the green light to return this weekend. The Vikings have not ruled Murray out yet, but the overwhelming belief is that he will miss at least one game due to his head injury. The former first-rounder came into the 2026 campaign as a popular bounce-back candidate in his new digs in Minnesota, but he is off to a bad start due to injury. The good news is that head coach Kevin O'Connell plans to stick with Murray as the team's starting QB once he is cleared.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Alvin Kamara Said he Feels Great, Not Limited
New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) said he feels great and does not have any limitations in practice this week, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Kamara said that if he did not feel great, he would not be in a position to make his 2026 season debut this weekend on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. The 31-year-old five-time Pro Bowler missed most of training camp this summer with an MCL injury in his knee, which also kept him from suiting up in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions in overtime on Sunday. Kamara has been a full practice participant this week, but given how much time he missed in camp, it seems likely that he will be on a pitch count if he makes his debut this weekend, especially with Kendre Miller plenty capable of handling backup duties behind starter Travis Etienne Jr. Kamara's fantasy value has taken a huge hit in 2026 now that he is no longer the Saints' featured back, and at best, he will be an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 2.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Chris Olave's Hamstring Injury is Not Serious
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) left practice early on Thursday as a precautionary measure, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. It is nothing that is expected to be a problem for Olave. The Saints listed Olave as questionable after he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. This might have set off the alarm bells for many fantasy managers, but all signs point to the former first-round wideout being a full-go for the Week 2 contest on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens on the road. The 26-year-old had an excellent first game of the 2026 season in the team's Week 1 season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions in overtime, catching 10 of his 13 targets for 182 yards in a tough 31-30 loss. Olave showed last year that he has great chemistry with young quarterback Tyler Shough, setting career highs across the board in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 games. He will be a must-start this weekend in Baltimore in fantasy.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Facing an Uphill Battle for Playing Time
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a disastrous showing in his team's Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Tracy Jr. recorded just two carries and lost a fumble in the second quarter, which led to him being benched for the remainder of the game. While Tracy Jr. topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in both 2024 and 2025, he has a new coaching staff in 2026 and now appears to be behind both Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary on the Giants' running back depth chart. Once fellow Giants back Najee Harris is fully up to speed with the team, Tracy Jr. may fall to the RB4 spot and could even be a candidate to be released. At this point, a change of scenery would almost certainly be the best thing for Tracy Jr.'s fantasy value. Barring a trade, his release, or at least one injury in the Giants' backfield, Tracy Jr. should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rhamondre Stevenson Could Be Facing Reduced Workload in New England
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson played a workhorse role in his team's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, recording 51 rushing yards on 18 carries and five catches for 44 yards on six targets. However, Stevenson's role in the New England backfield could be changing heading into the team's Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After missing the opener with an ankle injury, second-year Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) has logged two full practices this week and looks to be on track for a return against Pittsburgh. Stevenson projects to be New England's lead back regardless of Henderson's status, so he still carries fantasy appeal. Still, the 23 touches he logged in Week 1 were more than he recorded in any game while sharing the field with Henderson in 2025. Heading into Week 2, Stevenson profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Matthew Stafford's Underwhelming Week 1 a Sign of Things to Come?
The reigning NFL MVP, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, delivered an underwhelming performance in his team's Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Stafford completed just 15 of 25 pass attempts for 155 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception. Stafford was a steady QB1 option for most of the 2025 season, so fantasy managers should not overreact based on one rough performance. At the same time, Stafford is beginning his age-38 season and always profiled as a likely regression candidate after his massive spike in touchdown rate last year. With his complete lack of rushing ability, Stafford needs to lead a high-powered Rams passing game to be of use to fantasy managers. Stafford remains a solid QB2 option in Week 2 against the New York Giants, but his stock is fading a bit coming off the Week 1 dud.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Marr Chase Says his Knee Feels Great
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase told The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway on Thursday that his knee feels great. Chase hyperextended his knee in a training camp practice on Aug. 25 and was on the injury report heading into the season opener, but he was active in the Week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 26-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro played 94% of the offensive snaps last Sunday, but he caught only two passes on four targets for 12 yards in a bust performance for the No. 1 WR off the board in most fantasy football drafts. Fantasy managers might have been wondering if Chase's knee was to blame. The former fifth overall pick from LSU says his knee is fine, though, so he should be expected to have a much better performance in Week 2 on the road against the Houston Texans. It is even better news that Chase has not been on the Bengals' injury report at all heading into this weekend. Start him with confidence.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Ladd McConkey Missing From Practice Again on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (rib) was working off to the side with a trainer again during practice on Thursday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. McConkey was forced out of the team's Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and has not practiced yet this week. The Chargers were calling McConkey day-to-day early this week, but with two missed practices under his belt, he is looking more doubtful than likely to suit up for a Week 2 divisional clash against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The 24-year-old's fantasy managers were happy with McConkey's 5-82-1 line on seven targets in the season opener, but they will not be thrilled if he is inactive this weekend. If that is the case and McConkey does not return to practice on Friday, both Quentin Johnston and Tre' Davis would become more interesting as deep-league flex plays against the Raiders. Tight ends David Njoku, Charlie Kolar, and Oronde Gadsden would also likely be more involved in the passing game as the Bolts' offense looks to bounce back from an ugly Week 1 showing against Arizona.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Chris Olave Added to Saints Injury Report with Hamstring Issue
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) was added to the team's Thursday injury report as a limited practice participant, per Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports. Olave was not listed on the injury report on Wednesday, which suggests he could have felt something in the hamstring during practice this week. The 26-year-old had a monster game in his team's Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, recording 10 catches for 182 yards on 13 targets. If he's unable to practice in full on Friday, Olave will likely enter the weekend with an injury designation. Should Olave be sidelined for the Saints' Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans wideouts Devaughn Vele and Bryce Lance, as well as tight end Juwan Johnson (illness), could all be in line for increased workloads.
Source: Audacy Sports - Jeff Nowak
Source: Audacy Sports - Jeff Nowak
Jalen Coker Still Limited but Expected to Play
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) remained limited at Thursday's practice, according to Joe Person. Coker has now been limited on back-to-back days, but Carolina still expects him to play Sunday against Atlanta. Head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that the plan was to ramp Coker up through the week and "cut him loose" Friday after he was able to get a few team reps. Coker rolled his ankle during the Week 1 loss to Chicago, then stayed in the game and finished with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was in a walking boot Monday, though Coker called that precautionary. The second straight limited practice shows the ankle is still being managed, but nothing the Panthers have said so far points to a setback. Friday's session should tell us whether Coker is ready for a normal workload in Atlanta.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
DK Metcalf Will Continue to be Fed the Football
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf only caught four of the 10 passes that quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw his way for 40 yards in the team's Week 1 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons, but that is not going to stop Rodgers from feeding Metcalf, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. In addition to the dropped passes, Metcalf was flagged twice for offensive pass interference. "I'm not worried about DK at all, man," Rodgers said. "I love DK. He's one of my closest friends on the team, and I'm going to keep feeding him." DeFabo points out that the Metcalf-Rodgers connection is "one of the most important relationships" on the team. The duo must improve upon their weak season-opening performance on Sunday if they want to make any noise in 2026. Going into the Week 2 matchup in New England against the Patriots, Metcalf should be viewed as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex with a potentially bigger target share if Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) is limited or out. Pittman was limited in practice on Wednesday and was held out on Thursday.
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
Elijah Arroyo Could Be Limited to a Reserve Role in Seattle
Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo was barely utilized in his team's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, failing to earn a single target. A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Arroyo earned some buzz during the offseason, and there was a belief in some circles that he could move into a larger role in the Seahawks offense in his second season. However, it was Seattle tight end AJ Barner who dominated playing time against New England, playing 88% of the Seahawks' offensive snaps compared to just 22% for Arroyo. Even if Arroyo works his way onto the field more in the coming weeks, the Seattle passing game will be without starting quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) for at least Week 2 and potentially longer. Arroyo maintains some long-term upside, but he should likely be off the radar of redraft managers for the time being.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MarShawn Lloyd Earning the Confidence of Packers' Coaching Staff
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told the media on Thursday that running back MarShawn Lloyd has "shown a lot of confidence" that he can handle the team's primary backfield duties. Lloyd had a quiet game in Green Bay's Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, recording 13 carries for 37 yards. However, Lloyd led the Packers backfield in touches and could have an extended run as Green Bay's RB1 while star Packers back Josh Jacobs remains on the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List due to an offseason arrest. Fellow Packers running back Chris Brooks out-snapped Lloyd against Minnesota and could be the team's preferred passing-downs back, which limits Lloyd's fantasy upside to some degree. Still, Lloyd profiles as a flex option for fantasy managers heading into Green Bay's Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets.
Source: Green Bay Packers
Source: Green Bay Packers
Kyle Monangai Limited for Second Straight Practice
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) remained limited at Thursday's practice, according to Bears Communications. That makes two straight limited sessions after the injury popped up on Wednesday's report. Monangai is coming off an explosive opener, rushing 10 times for 100 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for another 24 yards against Carolina. He also played 32 offensive snaps, compared with 43 for D'Andre Swift, although some of that work came after Chicago had taken control of the game. Swift remained limited Thursday with ankle and knee issues of his own, leaving both Bears running backs on the injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with Minnesota. Monangai showed enough in Week 1 to remain an interesting flex option if active, but the back-to-back limited practices add some uncertainty to that outlook.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Cyrus Allen Drawing Continued Confidence From Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cyrus Allen barely played in the season opener, but offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy made it clear Thursday that the rookie is still very much in the team's plans. Allen logged just one offensive snap against Denver and drew a target on the play, but Bieniemy told Charles Goldman that the fifth-round pick needs to "stay the course" and said he's confident Allen will help Kansas City win games this season. That's encouraging after Allen generated plenty of buzz during training camp and the preseason. The Chiefs aren't rushing him into a bigger role, but the coaching staff clearly hasn't cooled on what he showed this summer. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton are still handling most of the receiver work, so Allen may need some patience. Still, Bieniemy's comments are a good reminder that his Week 1 usage doesn't necessarily tell us where his role is headed. He's a name worth keeping on the radar, especially in deeper and dynasty formats.
Source: Charles Goldman
Source: Charles Goldman
D'Andre Swift Limited Again on Thursday
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (ankle, knee) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday for the second straight day. Fellow backfield mate Kyle Monangai (hamstring) was also limited for a second straight day on Thursday. Chicago's backfield is uncertain for Sunday's Week 2 divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings, but we should have a better idea of the RB picture after Friday's practice. It is possible that both Swift and Monangai practice in full on Friday and are removed from the final injury report. While Monangai had a big touchdown run in the team's Week 1 season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers, Swift handled a team-high 18 carries for 124 yards and scored three times on the ground to make a statement to begin the 2026 campaign. He added one catch on his lone target for a gain of 10 yards. If Swift is cleared to play this weekend, he will be a must-start in fantasy lineups as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Oronde Gadsden Expected to See More Work
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden should see more work in Week 2 after barely being part of the offense in the opener. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel told Kris Rhim that Gadsden "isn't doing anything wrong" and added, "I'd expect to see more of him." Gadsden played 10 offensive snaps against Arizona but still caught both of his targets for 32 yards, including a 26-yard gain. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar each played 30 offensive snaps, so there is still plenty standing between Gadsden and a full-time role. The encouraging part is that McDaniel doesn't sound like the small Week 1 workload was punishment for poor play. Gadsden caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, and Los Angeles clearly still has use for that receiving ability. He remains more of a deeper-league option for now, but Thursday's comments make the Week 2 snap count worth watching closely.
Source: Kris Rhim
Source: Kris Rhim
Kenny Gainwell's Week 1 Role Looks Less Valuable
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell was on the field plenty in Week 1, which almost makes his usage more concerning. He played 26 of 57 offensive snaps against Cincinnati, but finished with five carries for 15 yards and one catch for three. Bucky Irving played 35 snaps and saw 15 touches, including all seven of his targets. That's a rough split for Gainwell after he caught 73 passes in Pittsburgh last season and came to Tampa Bay expected to help on third downs. The Bucs even used both backs together on four plays, so his lack of work wasn't simply because Irving kept him off the field. Gainwell still has a role, but Week 1 didn't show much standalone fantasy value. Six touches on a 46% snap share is the part that stands out, especially with Irving handling the passing-game work that looked like Gainwell's clearest path to weekly usefulness.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Hunter's Fantasy Stock Keeps Sliding
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter barely had an offensive role in Week 1. He played four snaps on offense in the 34-10 win over Cleveland and 29 on defense. Hunter touched the ball on two of those four offensive plays, catching his only target for eight yards and adding three yards on one carry. The bigger issue is getting onto the field. Jacksonville had already been leaning Hunter toward cornerback late in camp, and the opener made that concern very real for fantasy managers. Parker Washington caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Jakobi Meyers also scored. Both were on the field for more than 60% of the offensive snaps. Hunter was at 7%. Brian Thomas Jr. also remains ahead of him in the receiver mix. There may still be packages for Hunter on offense, but four snaps is nowhere near enough to support consistent fantasy value. His stock is still sliding after Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More News About Brandin Cooks
