ESPN's Rich Cimini on Wednesday predicted that Jets TE Tyler Conklin will catch "at least 60 passes" this year. Cimini said the free-agent addition had an impressive summer and expects him to emerge as a "safety blanket" for Jets QBs. That's not a huge reception total over a 17-game season, but only 13 TEs reached 60 catches last year. So it would be a fantasy-relevant level. Consider this at least the latest indication than we should bet Conklin over new teammate C.J. Uzomah among Jets TEs.
Vikings TE Irv Smith is not listed on the Week 1 injury report. He missed about 3 weeks in August after undergoing thumb surgery but has been practicing for about 2-and-a-half weeks now. He'll be out there for Sunday's opener vs. the Packers.
Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice. HC Todd Bowles said a few days ago that Gage is "on track" to play vs. the Cowboys on Sunday night, but it'd be nice to see him get in a full practice after missing about 3 weeks in August with a hamstring injury.
Giants WR Kadarius Toney is not listed on the Week 1 injury report. The mercurial WR missed a bunch of time in August with lower-body injuries but is ready to go for Sunday's opener vs. the Titans.
Packers TE Robert Tonyan (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice. His status for Sunday's opener vs. the Vikings remains uncertain -- but it at least looks like he's close to making it back from last October's torn ACL.
Packers WR Christian Watson (knee) put in a full practice on Wednesday. He'll be available for Sunday's opener vs. the Vikings -- but we'd be surprised if the rookie played a big role after missing 3 weeks of camp.
Packers WR Allen Lazard did not practice on Wednesday and is on the injury report with an ankle. He seems to be in real danger of missing this weekend's opener vs. the Vikings, but we'll get another update on his status tomorrow. Lazard's absence would leave Romeo Doubs, Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb as Green Bay's top 3 WRs.
Raiders TE Darren Waller isn't listed on the Week 1 injury report. He missed most of August with hamstring and/or contract trouble, but neither issue is a concern moving forward.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (calf) put in a limited practice on Wednesday. We suppose it's good news that he was able to get in some work, but he's been dealing with this calf issue for over a month now. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) put in a full practice on Wednesday. It's confirmation that he's ready to rock for Sunday's opener vs. the Cardinals.
Cardinals WR Rondale Moore is not listed on the Week 1 injury report. Whatever he was dealing with at the end of August is evidently no longer an issue. Moore is in a nice spot on Sunday in a likely shootout vs. the Chiefs and with no DeAndre Hopkins.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (quad) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He missed most of August and evidently still isn't at 100%. But a limited workout early in the week puts him on track to play vs. the Patriots on Sunday. We'll get another update on Waddle's status tomorrow.
Dolphins RB Chase Edmonds (groin) was limited in Wednesday's practice. It's the first we've heard of the injury. We're still tentatively expecting Edmonds to play vs. the Patriots on Sunday, but we'll keep an eye on his status over the next few days. Edmonds' absence would turn Raheem Mostert into Miami's lead back.
Patriots RB Ty Montgomery (knee) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. That gives him a shot to play vs. the Dolphins this weekend. We'll get another update on Montgomery tomorrow.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hamstring) put in a full practice on Wednesday. It's confirmation that he's on track for this weekend's opener vs. the Lions. Sanders should be Philly's lead ball carrier but could lose goal-line and pass-catching work. Consider him a RB3 out of the gate.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (shoulder) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice. He was non-committal on his availability for this weekend's opener vs. the Bengals when asked earlier in the day, but the fact that he was able to do something this early in the week is an encouraging sign. Check back tomorrow for another update.
Bears WR Velus Jones (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. The rookie's availability for this weekend's opener vs. the 49ers is in doubt -- but he shouldn't have been in your plans anyway. WR Byron Pringle, who missed time in August, isn't on the Week 1 injury report.
Saints WR Michael Thomas (hamstring) put in a limited practice on Wednesday. "We'll see, but he's progressing," HC Dennis Allen said afterward. Thomas seems genuinely questionable for this weekend's opener vs. the Falcons. We'll update his status again tomorrow.
Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) is out for Thursday night's opener vs. the Bills. He didn't practice all week, so a Week 2 return doesn't look particularly likely. Jefferson's snaps are expected to be picked up by a committee of WRs Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek and Brandon Powell. None is a viable fantasy play outside of DFS showdown contests. WR Cooper Kupp, WR Allen Robinson and TE Tyler Higbee should be the clear focal points of the Rams' passing game against Buffalo.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) put in a limited practice Wednesday. The team has yet to say whether he'll play in the opener. QB Lamar Jackson told reporters after practice that "hopefully he'll be out in a couple of weeks." That comment came after Jackson said he wanted Dobbins to "slow down" with his work to return. We certainly won't take this as an official status report. But the QB's words point to Dobbins likely missing at least 1 game. We'll keep tracking the RB's progress.
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