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Sam Darnold Says He's Pushing to Play Sunday
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) said Thursday that he is "striving to" return Sunday against Washington, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. Darnold admitted he feared the injury he suffered on Seattle's opening drive could be a long-term issue, but a CT scan helped ease those concerns after it ruled out a fracture. He missed last week's win over Arizona before returning to practice Wednesday as a limited participant. Head coach Mike Macdonald said Seattle plans to ramp Darnold up during the week and make a decision on his availability by Friday. Darnold is clearly pushing to play, but the Seahawks still want to see how he responds as the workload increases.
Source: Gregg Bell
Source: Gregg Bell
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Brock Bowers Practices Again Thursday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was back at practice Thursday, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Bowers was limited Wednesday, so this makes two straight days on the field as he works back from a left meniscus trim on Sept. 8. He has missed the Raiders' first two games. Bowers did return to limited practice last Friday and went through a pregame workout before Sunday's win over the Chargers, but Las Vegas kept him inactive. Head coach Klint Kubiak said afterward that Bowers was "very close" to returning. Thursday's participation level has not been posted yet, so it is too early to say whether he will be full or limited. Still, another practice keeps a Week 3 return against New Orleans very much in play.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Malik Nabers Gets Encouraging News on Shoulder
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (shoulder) got some encouraging news from the X-ray he underwent after Monday night's loss to the Rams. Nabers told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News that the results were good, though he declined to say whether this is the same shoulder that has given him trouble before. Nabers said after Monday's game that the shoulder popped out and he put it back in before returning. He finished with one catch for one yard on four targets. The Giants projected Nabers as limited for Wednesday's walkthrough, so he is at least doing some work ahead of Sunday's game against Tennessee. There is still a shoulder issue to monitor here, but the X-ray results are a positive development.
Source: Pat Leonard
Source: Pat Leonard
Makai Lemon's Redraft Stock Keeps Sliding
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon has stayed involved enough to make his lack of targets stand out. The rookie played 48 offensive snaps against Tennessee but saw only one target, catching it for 14 yards. That came after three catches for minus-five yards on four targets in his NFL debut. Lemon has five targets and nine receiving yards through two games, while Dontayvion Wicks has turned seven catches into 147 yards and a touchdown. DeVonta Smith also commanded 13 targets in Week 2. Lemon's slow start is not about disappearing from the field. He played 35 snaps in the opener and 48 on Sunday, but Jalen Hurts simply has not looked his way very often. The hamstring injury that cost Lemon nearly three weeks of training camp probably did not help his early development, either. Philadelphia traded up to take him 20th overall, so there is still a strong long-term investment here. For redraft purposes, though, Lemon has fallen well behind the players fantasy managers can trust right now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joey Porter Jr. Denies Trade Request, Second-Opinion Report
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) denied two reports surrounding his situation Thursday. According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Porter said he is not seeking a second opinion on his back and did not request a trade from Pittsburgh. Porter has missed the Steelers' first two games after spending much of the summer dealing with the back issue. He was limited in Wednesday's practice, but Pittsburgh listed him as non-injury related/conditioning rather than with the back. The contract situation between Porter and the Steelers has added plenty of noise around his absence, which is why both denials are notable. For now, the football question is whether Porter can get through the rest of the week and make his season debut Sunday against Cincinnati.
Source: Mike DeFabo
Source: Mike DeFabo
Keon Coleman Not Seen Again on Thursday
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (ankle) was not seen during the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. If Coleman does not return to the field later on, it will be his second straight missed practice of the week, putting his availability firmly in question for the Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. And with receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) also up in the air, Buffalo's receiving corps could be thinned out this weekend for quarterback Josh Allen. Coleman, who had just one catch for one yard in the Week 1 win over the Houston Texans, quickly took advantage of Moore's in-game injury in last Thursday night's win over the Detroit Lions, catching all six of his targets for 63 yards. Not only is the 23-year-old now banged up himself, but Moore could return to action against the Chargers. The combination of the two has hurt Coleman's candidacy as a waiver-wire pickup.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
DJ Moore Not Seen on the Field on Wednesday
Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) was not seen on the practice field during the media-viewing portion on Thursday, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. In addition to Moore, Keon Coleman (ankle) was not seen after already missing Wednesday's practice. Moore injured his shoulder in last Thursday night's win over the Detroit Lions and did not catch a single pass, but he was limited in practice on Wednesday and reported that he "felt great." The 29-year-old was officially diagnosed with an AC joint sprain, and he is not in the clear yet to play in Week 3 against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. If Moore does play this weekend, the former first-rounder might not be at 100%. With both Moore and Coleman banged up this week, tight end Dalton Kincaid and receiver Khalil Shakir are becoming more interesting against the 0-2 Chargers. Kincaid should already be a must-start at the TE position. As of right now, Moore should be treated as a very shaky flex option with the weekend approaching.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Jalen Coker Using an Exercise Bike During Practice
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle), who was limited in practice on Wednesday, was seen riding an exercise bike with a sweater on to begin practice on Thursday, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Coker is likely to be listed as limited again, but if he can upgrade to a full practice on Friday, he could be cleared for the Week 3 tilt on the road in Cleveland against the Browns. The 24-year-old tweaked his ankle in the season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears but returned and went off for eight catches, 138 yards, and two touchdowns. Coker was active in the Week 2 blowout win over the division-rival Atlanta Falcons and once again had eight receptions on nine targets, but this time for only 66 yards. He is clearly still not over his ankle injury, but it does not seem like something that will keep him from playing or slowing him down in another potential blowup spot against the Browns. If Coker is active this weekend, fantasy managers need to find a way to get him in lineups.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
No Update on Saquon Barkley With Week 3 Looming
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Thursday that he did not have an update on running back Saquon Barkley (neck, shoulder), who missed some game time in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday after suffering a stinger, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. The Eagles have a practice on Thursday, so we will know shortly whether or not he was on the field. Although Barkley eventually returned to the game on Sunday, he finished with only four carries for nine yards and had one catch for an 11-yard gain. Meanwhile, backup Tank Bigsby had 13 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for five yards. The 29-year-old Barkley has a lengthy injury history, so the Eagles could mix in more of Bigsby to take some of the load off if Barkley is active this weekend for a matchup on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears on the road. Bigsby should have been one of the more popular waiver-wire pickups after Week 2, but he is still only rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues. He would have major fantasy upside if Barkley does miss any time in 2026, making him a valuable bench stash right now.
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Caleb Douglas Still Not Practicing
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) was not seen participating in the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday for the second straight day, according to David Furones of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Douglas is dealing with an ankle injury that kept him from playing the final quarter of the Week 2 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and his status is now up in the air for this weekend versus the Kansas City Chiefs at home on Sunday. Fellow rookie receiver Chris Bell (knee) is also banged up, but he at least appeared to be limited on Thursday. If the 23-year-old Douglas cannot play against KC, Jalen Tolbert, who has been a healthy scratch for the first two weeks, and Malik Washington would likely be quarterback Malik Willis' top pass-game targets. Douglas, a third-rounder from Texas Tech, caught only two passes for 19 yards in the Week 2 loss to the Niners, but he had five catches on seven targets for 94 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and he has intriguing upside that makes him worth stashing on the bench in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Source: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Kyle Juszczyk Fined by NFL for "Chugging Beer"
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk has been fined $14,926 for engaging in an offensive demonstration in Sunday's 35-13 win over the Dolphins. Juszczyk scored a third-quarter touchdown and celebrated by simulating the sharing of a drink with teammate Deebo Samuel Sr. "Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste," the NFL wrote in the fine letter made public on Thursday. Juszczyk has appealed the fine, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. An injury-depleted 49ers team will host the Cardinals in Week 3 in a divisional matchup in which they are favored by more than a touchdown, potentially giving the 14th-year fullback another chance to find the end zone.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Bucky Irving Facing a Potential Pitch Count
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving has arguably been the team's most dynamic offensive player through the first two weeks of the season, but offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told reporters on Thursday that the third-year back "is on a bit of a pitch count due to the longevity of the season." Robinson also said the team wants to ride the hot hand, which, so far, has clearly been Irving. The Buccaneers added veteran Kenny Gainwell on a two-year, $14 million free agent contract, but through two weeks, Irving has handled over 78% of the team's running back rush share while running 18 more routes and earning more than twice as many targets. Irving is the fantasy RB15 through two weeks, and while his success has depended largely on his heavy usage in an offense that ranks near the middle of the league in terms of efficiency and results, fantasy managers can continue to feel good about starting him until the team's actions match Robinson's messaging.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Emeka Egbuka's Fantasy Struggles Have Continued in 2026
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggling offensively to start the year, and the ball spread fairly evenly among receivers, tight ends, and running backs, second-year wideout Emeka Egbuka has accumulated only 79 receiving yards through two weeks. Following a historically strong start to his rookie campaign, the 2025 first-round pick has now failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in 10 straight games, clearing that mark only once in his last 14 outings. He has maintained a respectable 7.1 targets per game over that stretch, but with quarterback Baker Mayfield topping 250 yards and two touchdowns only once since the start of the 2025 season, something he did seven times in 2024 alone, the quality of opportunity has seen a dramatic dip. The Buccaneers face the Vikings in Week 3, and while Brian Flores' aggressive blitzing defense has gotten results through two weeks, the unit is still susceptible to an underneath passing attack, presenting Egbuka with the opportunity to volume his way back to fantasy viability in full-PPR formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zay Flowers Still Not Practicing Thursday
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) missed the team's Week 2 loss to the Saints, and his Week 3 availability is trending in the wrong direction after he missed his second straight practice on Thursday. Flowers was knocked out of the season-opener with a hamstring injury after recording a career-high 150 receiving yards in just one half of play. Despite running only 11 routes this season, he still sits as the fantasy WR18 through two weeks, and while it's looking unlikely that he'll be available for the team's Week 3 tilt with the Cowboys, to be played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Flowers has proven to be a must-start player whenever he is again made available.
Source: Jamison Hensley
Source: Jamison Hensley
Chig Okonkwo Remains Out of Practice on Thursday
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) remains sidelined at practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. Okonkwo suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles and did not play in Sunday's loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. With two missed practices already this week, it is looking like Okonkwo will not be ready to return for the Week 3 matchup at home against the Seattle Seahawks. With Okonkwo sidelined last weekend, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff combined for two catches and 20 yards, while John Bates was not targeted at all. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has already been ruled out for Week 3 after dislocating his left elbow, so the Commanders' offense will be led by veteran Marcus Mariota against a strong Seahawks defense. Fantasy managers should be avoiding Washington's TE situation altogether this weekend with Okonkwo looking likely to miss a second straight game.
Source: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
Source: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
Judge Denies Request to Seal Records in Josh Jacobs Case
The Wisconsin judge presiding over Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs' criminal case has denied the victim's request to permanently seal records, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Judge Marc Hammer has instead turned the matter back over to the Hobart/Lawrence police department, which will now determine whether it is considered fair to release those records. Both Jacobs and the victim will still have an opportunity "to appear" if a decision is made to release the records. Jacobs remains on the Commissioner's Exempt List, and with the NFL attempting to obtain key video evidence from the case, Thursday's ruling could make that a possibility. The Packers face the Falcons on Thursday night, with the backfield expected to be split again among MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Kaleb Johnson, who has emerged as potentially the most viable option from a fantasy perspective.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
Michael Pittman Jr. Practicing Again on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) continued to work in practice on Thursday for a second straight day, according to Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh. Pittman ended last week with two missed practices because of his foot injury and was ultimately ruled out for the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. The 28-year-old appears to be on the right track towards returning this Sunday to face the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but he might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid going into the weekend with a questionable tag. In his debut with the Steelers in the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the former second-rounder from USC caught all three of his targets for 58 yards and no touchdowns. Pittman's return should be good news for DK Metcalf, who struggled in his absence against a star cornerback last weekend. If Pittman continues to improve and is cleared to play against Cincy, fantasy managers should treat him as a WR4/flex option.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Rico Dowdle Out of Boot, Still No Practice on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) did not participate in the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, but he was out of his walking boot, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. It is good news that Dowdle is no longer in a boot, but his status for the Week 3 divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals is very much up in the air. The 28-year-old will definitely need to practice in some fashion on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is also banged up, but he was taking part in practice on Thursday and should be available to play this weekend. If Dowdle is not cleared to play against the Bengals, Warren will basically become a must-start RB2 in fantasy football lineups, with rookie Eli Heidenreich being elevated to the RB2 role in a Steelers offense that has not looked great at all under new head coach Mike McCarthy through the first two weeks of the season. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, but it looks like it will be very difficult for him to make it three straight in 2026.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Nico Collins Not at Practice on Thursday, Slated to Miss Week 3
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) remains absent from practice on Thursday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Per KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, Collins is trending toward missing a second straight game in Week 3 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain that he suffered in practice last week. Fantasy managers need to keep the Texans' No. 1 wideout on the bench again this week and hope he can return for a Week 4 matchup at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 4. In last week's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals with Collins sidelined, newcomer Kayshon Boutte was more involved, catching three of his five targets for 37 yards, but it was tight end Dalton Schultz who was the biggest beneficiary, catching 12 of 14 targets for a team-high 140 yards. Xavier Hutchinson saw the second-most targets (nine), and Jared Wayne surprisingly had seven targets in the passing game. Schultz will be in must-start status this weekend in Indy if Collins is ruled out again, with Boutte being on the flex radar for a second straight game.
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
A.J. Brown Could Miss 6-8 Weeks
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on WEEI on Thursday that New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) could miss anywhere from six to eight weeks with the high-ankle sprain that he suffered in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. With that said, Schefter reports that Brown has been moving around well and could be a candidate to return on the early side of the six- to eight-week timetable. The Patriots placed Brown on Injured Reserve, so he will be forced to miss at least four games. Fantasy managers should not be expecting Brown to return immediately when he is eligible to return, based on this report from Schefter. Quarterback Drake Maye failed to throw a touchdown pass in the Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, with receiver Romeo Doubs benefiting the most from Brown's absence with three catches for 96 yards. Tight end Hunter Henry will also continue to be more intriguing as a TE streamer in fantasy as long as Brown is out, with veteran receiver Mack Hollins also worth rostering for bench depth going forward.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Kenny Gainwell has Been a Bust Through Two Weeks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell has not had the type of impact with his new team that fantasy managers who drafted him thought he would have through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. In losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Gainwell has only seven rushing attempts for 25 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and has caught four of five targets for eight yards through the air in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's scheme. The 27-year-old caught a whopping 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games last year in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers with quarterback Aaron Rodgers checking down to him more often than not. There is still time for Gainwell to get more involved in Tampa, but his slow start is a reminder that he is not in Pittsburgh anymore. The Bucs could look to get Gainwell more involved as a pass-catcher as they search for their first win in Week 3 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings, but he has quickly fallen out of favor in fantasy leagues and should be considered a volatile RB3/flex in PPR formats this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
More News About Sam Darnold
