ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (toe) is "uncertain" for Week 1. "His injury typically is a multiple-week injury," Schefter adds. Not only does turf toe tend to be a multi-week injury, it's also an injury that can linger beyond that and impact a player's performance. It's a definite concern for McLaurin's 2023 fantasy outlook. We nudged him down the WR rankings.
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy is expected to miss "several weeks" with a "moderate hamstring injury," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Rapoport adds that Jeudy’s status for Week 1 is "in question" but that "there’s optimism it’s nothing long term." It's relatively good news after what sounded like a serious injury in Thursday's practice. Still, with Denver's season opener just 17 days away, fantasy drafters should plan on Jeudy missing at least one game -- and potentially more.
The Cardinals acquired QB Joshua Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Browns in exchange for a 2024 fifth-rounder. Dobbs joins Colt McCoy and Clayton Tune as the healthy QBs in Arizona. The Cardinals have yet to name a Week 1 starter, with QB Kyler Murray still on the mend. The Browns, meanwhile, look set to roll with rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson as QB Deshaun Watson's backup.
The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue writes that Rams RB Kyren Williams "could have a bigger impact" on the team's passing game in 2023. Williams has reportedly "excelled throughout training camp" in this capacity, and QB Matthew Stafford "seemed to get comfortable" targeting him as a receiver. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Rodrigue is the belief the Rams will "probably feature both [Cam] Akers and Williams," meaning that whatever hopes existed for rookie Zach Evans to seize a fantasy-relevant role are dwindling. Williams was used sparingly as a rookie last season, only seeing 50%+ of offensive snaps twice in 2022, but this potential uptick in usage could vault him into deep league PPR consideration. See where the Rams RBs appear in our current RB rankings.
"Do not underestimate the Vikings’ commitment to [RB Alexander] Mattison," The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes. "The team believes in him and it believes he is a key cog in their attempt at improved rushing efficiency. Mattison might not provide the explosive element that [RB Dalvin] Cook possesses, but the Vikings are committed to providing him an every-down workload." Mattison isn't the most exciting talent, but everything we've heard from Minnesota since Cook's departure is that Mattison is in for big volume this year. He's a solid pick in the fifth or sixth round of fantasy drafts.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Chargers WR Josh Palmer "appears" to be ahead of WR Quentin Johnston on the depth chart. "Palmer has been earning more first-team reps in three-receiver packages alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams," Popper adds. "Johnston is still in the very early stages of his development and has struggled with drops. His role early in the season will be geared toward specific concepts that allow him to play fast. Palmer, meanwhile, has the full trust of quarterback Justin Herbert and the coaching staff. He has been a regular playmaker in training camp." We certainly won't be shocked if Palmer out-snaps Johnston in Week 1. But we'd expect the rookie's role to grow throughout the season. Johnston remains an exciting fantasy pick, even though we won't be able to trust him in Week 1 lineups. Palmer, meanwhile, is a fine pick at the very end of best-ball drafts.
Broncos TE Greg Dulcich's preseason usage has been a bit worrisome. But The Athletic's Nick Kosmider still expects him to play a big role in the passing game this season. "The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder has been an active target in training camp, stretching the defense in all parts of the field," Kosmider writes. "The Broncos acquired veteran tight end Adam Trautman in a draft-day trade, and he brings experience with Payton’s offense. But Dulcich will remain the top tight-end target, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up as the team’s third-leading receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy." We're expecting Dulcich's production to be a bit volatile from week to week -- but very few TEs are consistent producers. Dulcich remains an intriguing fantasy pick at his reduced-cost 13th-round ADP.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring) told reporters on Thursday that he's on track to play Week 1. That's been our expectation all along. Kupp remains a top-4 player in our overall PPR rankings.
Broncos OC Joe Lombardi "indicated Javonte Williams' load could be limited a bit at the start of the season," according to the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson. Lombardi added that Williams will eventually settle into an expanded role. Williams has beaten all expectations by presumably being ready for Week 1, so it's no surprise that his volume will be limited out of the gate. Consider him a risky RB3 or flex play in Week 1 fantasy lineups. And we'll keep a close eye on how his usage trends.
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury in Thursday's practice and will undergo an MRI, HC Sean Payton said. Reports from practice made this sound like a significant injury, so be careful drafting Jeudy for now. We'll update his status as soon as we know more.
On Thursday, it was announced that the Browns are naming QB Joshua Dobbs as the backup to Deshaun Watson heading into the regular season. As a result, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will begin the year serving as the team's QB3. In three preseason games, Thompson-Robinson completed 30 throws on 46 attempts for 348 passing yards with two TDs and zero INTs. Dynasty managers stashing the rookie nicknamed 'DTR' on their benches or taxi squads will have to continue exercising patience for the ex-UCLA signal-caller. It's encouraging that DTR beat out Kellen Mond for the QB3 job, however, as the Browns waived Mond today. Keep him around in deep leagues.
Commanders HC Ron Rivera said Thursday that TE Logan Thomas is "progressing" in his recovery from a calf injury. He went down in early August but took part in individual drills on Thursday. Thomas remains the favorite to open the season as Washington's lead TE, but TE Cole Turner has made a push for playing time over the past few weeks.
Per multiple reports, Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy sustained a leg injury in practice on Thursday that required being carted off the field. Team beat writer Zac Stevens tweeted that Jeudy "pulled up after running full speed during a play" and "grabbed his hamstring immediately" before medical staff helped him onto a cart to transport him into the locker room. This offseason has one of dire straits for Denver's WR room. Veteran Tim Patrick ruptured his Achilles tendon at the end of July, and the Broncos waived fellow wideout K.J. Hamler with a non-football illness designation that same day. Add Jeudy's ailment to the pile, and it's an even bleaker picture. However, we'll update as more information becomes available before getting too hasty with looking forward. Rookie Marvin Mims is a name to remember for a possible bump in role should Jeudy miss extended time. Stay tuned.
Bears RB Roschon Johnson’s first-team reps have “increased every week since camp opened,” per The Athletic’s Adam Jahns. In addition, Jahns mentions D’Onta Foreman as a potential “surprise cut.” Khalil Herbert is locked in as the lead back right now. But Johnson is an intriguing late-round stash for an offense that should continue leaning run.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen "has been the focal receiver in [OC] Kellen Moore’s offense during camp," The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes. Moore has been moving Allen all over the formation, and QB Justin Herbert "has trusted Allen to go up and make a play on contested balls." Injury is the only thing that can stop Allen from turning in a big 2023 fantasy season in this high-scoring Chargers offense.
Jets WR Allen Lazard sprained the AC joint in his shoulder in Wednesday's practice, HC Robert Saleh said. Lazard is expected to be ready for Week 1, Saleh added. The Jets just lost WR Corey Davis to retirement, so they're thinned out at the position right now. We'll let you know when Lazard gets back on the field.
Eagles RB D'Andre Swift "is still one of many in the running back room, not the main guy," The Athletic's Bo Wulf writes. It's confirmation of how we've been projecting the Philly backfield all along. Swift is the best fantasy bet of the bunch, but he figures to lose too much work to RB Kenneth Gainwell and others to be a real fantasy difference-maker. Check out our full projections for the Eagles backfield.
The Cardinals are trading Isaiah Simmons to the Giants for a seventh-round pick. That marks a steep fall for the former first-round pick who is in just his fourth season, the final on his rookie contract. Arizona moved Simmons from LB to safety this offseason but clearly wasn't satisfied with him in the new role. We'll see whether Simmons can carve out a meaningful role with his new team, but odds stand against him rebuilding IDP value.
According to ESPN's Courtney Cronin, Bears HC Matt Eberflus said on Wednesday that RB Khalil Herbert "hasn't done anything to lose the job" of being the team's starter. Eberflus also mentioned that rookie Roschon Johnson "has done a nice job competing" but didn't say much about the other Chicago backs. This news certainly bodes well for Herbert's odds of carrying a majority of the workload this season. Of course, QB Justin Fields will have his share of rushing attempts that take away from him. But if Herbert continues to stave off his backfield competition, he'll be a solid RB3/flex candidate in lineups in 2023. See where Herbert slots in our current RB rankings.
This coming Tuesday, August 29, is a big day for Colts RB Jonathan Taylor. ESPN's Stephen Holder reports that the team has given Taylor until Tuesday to find a trade partner. Two teams have already submitted offers to the Colts, per Holder, although it's unclear if either is close to what the Colts are looking for. Tuesday is also when teams must decide what to do with players on the active/PUP list, as Taylor is. Taylor will either need to be activated to the 53-man roster, or move to reserve/PUP, which would cost him the first four weeks of the season. We'll have a much better idea of Taylor's 2023 fantasy outlook by the end of Tuesday. Stay tuned.
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