Steelers WR Chase Claypool suffered an apparent lower body injury in Tuesday’s practice. It sounds like he went down hard after trying to catch a downfield pass. Per beat writer Ray Fittipaldo, Claypool went straight to the locker room to get checked out. We’ll let you know when an update is available.
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it's a "minor" ankle sprain and that Claypool "should be fine." That matches with reports from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the WR avoided significant injury. We're not adjusting Claypool downward at all.
The Eagles waived RB Kerryon Johnson. The former Lion recently suffered a knee injury that's believed to be a sprain. For now, Philly will move forward with Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard behind Miles Sanders.
Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith (leg) returned to practice on Tuesday. He ended up missing about 2 weeks. WR Marquez Callaway impressed in Smith's absence, but we're curious to see how things shake out between those 2 now over the next few weeks.
Vikings TE Tyler Conklin left practice Monday with a hamstring injury. Beat writer Ben Goessling tweeted Tuesday that it’s a “mild” issue for the 4th-year TE. Certainly not the worst-case scenario. Conklin doesn’t profile as a standalone fantasy option, but his progress (and presence) might take some shine off Irv Smith’s ultimate upside. HC Mike Zimmer talked up a bigger role for Conklin in June.
Broncos RB Melvin Gordon (groin) returned to practice on Tuesday. He missed the team's preseason opener but should be fine going forward. Gordon remains the favorite to open the season as Denver's lead back, but rookie Javonte Williams is breathing down his neck after a strong showing in his preseason debut.
Raiders TE Darren Waller returned to practice on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Tashan Reed. Waller ended up missing about 2 weeks with what was reportedly a minor ankle injury. Barring a setback, it shouldn't be an issue come Week 1.
The Jaguars have released Tim Tebow. He was a disaster in the preseason opener. Hopefully this is the last time we write about Tebow.
Texans insider Aaron Wilson hears that WR Anthony Miller "could" be back from his shoulder injury for Week 1 or 2. The MRI on that shoulder revealed a "slight" dislocation but no structural damage. So Miller avoided a serious injury, but he'll miss valuable reps with his new team over the next few weeks. He's a long shot for early-season fantasy value. Keke Coutee is in line to open the season as Houston's slot receiver.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson returned to practice on Monday, just 10 days after spraining the AC joint in his shoulder. It sounds like he was limited, but just the fact that he was out there is confirmation that he'll be good to go come Week 1.
Bills WR Stefon Diggs missed his 5th straight practice with a knee injury on Monday. Per The Athletic' Joe Buscaglia, HC Sean McDermott said he expects Diggs to miss more time but isn't worried about his status for the start of the season "at this point." We're not moving Diggs in the rankings right now but will keep a close eye on his status.
Texans RB David Johnson played behind RB Phillip Lindsay in Week 1 of the preseason, getting out-snapped 8 to 2 with the 1st-team offense. Both of Johnson's snaps came on 3rd down, while Lindsay played all the 1st- and 2nd-down snaps. Johnson seems to have accepted that he'll be playing a reduced role this season. “Obviously, as it’s going on, in the moment it’s tough,” Johnson said. “But I think in the long run, it will just help out the team as a whole.” We're still expecting Johnson to handle the majority of the pass-catching work out of Houston's backfield, which gives him some PPR value. But Lindsay looks like the favorite to lead in carries.
Jets HC Robert Saleh said WR Elijah Moore (quad) won't practice this week but will hopefully be back on the field next week. Saleh added that he's "not worried" about Moore's Week 1 status. The rookie lit up the practice field throughout the spring and early part of training camp. So as long as he's setback-free when he returns, Moore should still play a big role right out of the gate.
Bills RB Zack Moss (hamstring) returned to practice on Monday. He ended up missing a few practices -- and the preseason opener -- with the bum hamstring. Hopefully Moss plays in the 2nd exhibition so we can see what Buffalo's backfield usage looks like.
The Cardinals on Monday activated RB James Conner from the COVID list. He had landed there Aug. 12 as a high-risk close contact. Conner's return after just 4 days says he never tested positive for the virus. That he was deactivated as a close contact, though, also indicates Conner hasn't been vaccinated. So he's good to go for now. We'll see whether this issue pops back up for him at any point.
The Jets have activated DT Quinnen Williams off the PUP. Williams opened training camp still working back from his offseason foot fracture. There's still time for him to round into shape before the Sept. 12 opener. We'll keep an eye out for any recurring or compensatory issues with Williams from here.
Eagles RB Kerryon Johnson is week to week with a knee injury, according to NBC Philly's Dave Zangaro. Johnson already seemed to be behind RB Jordan Howard on the depth chart -- and this injury might kill his chances of making the final roster. Johnson is off the fantasy radar right now.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (knee) was back on the practice field on Monday. Beat writers noted that he only went through individual drills, so he still seems limited. But the rookie is clearly on track to be fine for Week 1 and still has a good chance to open the season as Philly's #1 WR.
Ravens WR Marquise Brown (hamstring) remained sidelined for Monday's practice. He's now been out for 18 days with this hamstring injury. We're still almost 4 weeks out from the season opener, so Brown has time. But he's a risky fantasy pick until we see him back on the field.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes Chargers TE Donald Parham is "going to have a big and influential role" in the offense this season. "He is lining up mostly detached from the formation, both out wide and in the slot," Popper writes. He goes on to add that Parham is still #2 on the depth chart behind TE Jared Cook -- but that "the Chargers have been featuring a heavy dose of two-tight end sets with both Cook and Parham on the field together." Parham will probably need to move past Cook to be a reliable fantasy play this year. But that's certainly within the realm of possibility. He's an intriguing late-round flier.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes rookie Josh Palmer has a "stranglehold" on the Chargers' #3 WR job. "The Chargers found a smart and savvy pro-ready player in Palmer," Popper writes. "Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson provide more speed than Palmer. But I expect Palmer to see more playing time based on his production this summer." The 3rd-round rookie had a nice debut in the preseason opener, catching 6 balls for 36 yards on just 17 snaps. We'll continue to monitor this situation, but Palmer is worth a look at the tail end of fantasy drafts.
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