NFL Player News

The NFL’s preseason rushing leader caught the eye of Rotoworld’s Chris Wesseling last week, showing more burst than presumed third-stringer Alfonso Smith ever has at this level. Up to 231 yards at 7.0 per clip after a strong training camp, Powell is doing is best to push Smith off the roster -- even if his production has come primarily versus players that will be cut next week.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner was removed from the report and will play. Payne did not practice at all this week, putting him on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend. However, with a Super Bowl berth on the line, he will be doing everything in his power to get on the field. Payne has four sacks and five TFLs this year.

Zaccheaus went down with the groin issue last week. He left in the first half of the Commanders’ win over the Lions but returned for some snaps in the second half. Washington limited his reps on Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading him to a full session on Friday. With Dyami Brown emerging as the team’s apparent No. 2 receiver, Zaccheaus is only a dart-throw play for Sunday’s slate of games.

Ertz was given Wednesday’s practice off but returned for a full session on Thursday. He is good to go as the Commanders look to pull off the upset against Philly. Ertz is heavily involved in the Commanders’ passing attack and will need to step up in the short and intermediate areas of the field this week. He is a solid DFS option for the final main slate of the year.

No surprises here as the Eagles have been managing Brown’s knee issue for weeks. It hasn’t given him any issues recently and he even told reporters earlier this week that he was feeling better. The Eagles will likely stick with their run-heavy approach this week. However, if the Commanders can push them on offense, Philly will be forced to throw more, keeping Brown in play as a high-ceiling DFS option on the short slate.

Peppers previously spent time on the Commissioner Exempt List in relation to these incidents, sideling him for sevens games. He also missed time late in the season with a hamstring issue. All in, Peppers appeared in just six games in 2024. He tallied two pass breakups and one interception. He is under contract with the Patriots for two more seasons

This is a positive development for the Titans’ new front office. Fuchs gets a hands-on opportunity to scout the incoming rookie class following a down year for the Titans’ offensive line. Fuchs spent 30 seasons coaching at the college level, developing an exceptionally impressive resume, before the Titans brought him onboard in 2024.

Spector most recently played in Week 16 and technically remains on injured reserve. The backup run-defender provides helpful depth but should not be considered a needle-mover.

Dawkins practiced on Thursday and Friday and should have no limitations on Sunday. It is great news for Josh Allen, who faces a stout Chiefs defense, featuring a talented pass rush.

Johnson promisingly practiced in full on Friday after being downgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The top-tier slot cornerback is good to go, which is good news for a Bills secondary that will be without S Taylor Rapp (back/hip). Its No. 1 perimeter cornerback Christian Benford (concussion) is listed as questionable after failing to progress through the NFL’s concussion protocol. He was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday before being downgraded to a non-participant on Friday. The Bills will likely have just 3-of-5 secondary starters active on Sunday.

The Bills’ secondary is in rough shape. S Taylor Rapp (back/hip) has already been ruled out and Benford’s worsening practice participation following last week’s concussion bodes poorly for his availability. Benford still has a chance to pass the NFL concussion protocol’s five phases but it appears as though he may be backsliding. Benford is one of the NFL’s best perimeter cornerbacks. He effectively dissuades quarterbacks from targeting his coverage and efficiently breaks up would-be completions.