NFL Player News

Hoffman (6'3/316) saw his initial waiver request shot down in the spring but has appealed that decision. The junior transferred from Coastal Carolina to Virginia Tech over the winter to be closer to his mother, who is fighting brain cancer. While this would seem like a slam dunk for a waiver -- no arguing the hardship, here -- the NCAA apparently denied the initial waiver because Virginia Tech was not close enough to Hoffman’s mother to warrant a reprieve. We’re talking approximately five miles outside of the 100-mile radius between school and family home which would have cleared the waiver. At this juncture, it’s unlikely that Hoffman will be available for Virginia Tech’s opener against Boston College on Saturday.

Mallory was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State but was one of the final roster cuts at the end of training camp.

Gay also made it clear that he’ll “leave it up to the trainers,” which means we may need to wait another day or two to figure out for sure if he’ll kick in Week 3. The 30-year-old claims the quad issue is something that came as a result of his hernia surgery.

Winfield, who injured his foot after Week 1 and missed Week 2’s win over the Lions was limited to running with trainers on the side field on Thursday. Obviously, him being able to do anything is a step in the right direction but being unable to practice with the team on Thursday will make it tough for him to suit up on Sunday. The Bucs secondary is really banged up, but cornerback Jamel Dean did return to practice and that might be enough against a Broncos pass offense that seems anemic in 2024.

Neither did DT Calijah Kancey (calf), and OT Luke Goedeke (concussion) was limited to side work with trainers. Not having Vea and Kancey would be a major issue for the Bucs’ run defense; however, they’re facing a Broncos offense that seemed incapable of moving the ball through the first two weeks. As it stands, this is a slight upgrade for Javonte Williams and a slight downgrade for the Bucs defense but doesn’t figure to drastically change the complexion of the game.

He followed up by saying that the team will take it -day-by-day with him, but the early reports were that Engram would be week-to-week, and these comments from Pederson today don’t instill optimism that Engram can suit up this week. Given that the Jaguars play on Monday night, fantasy managers should be making other plans for their tight end spot in Week 3.

Jackson will serve as the fourth edge rusher for the Panthers on game days. The 26-year-old was originally drafted by the Eagles in the 6th round of the 2021 NFL Draft and was cut by Philadelphia in August. He didn’t appear in a game last season but has 18 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble in his first two seasons in the NFL.

Leota was released on Tuesday despite currently leading the Panthers with one sack on the season. He could get another chance on the active roster at some point this season.

The 27-year-old cornerback had been on the practice squad, but when the Texans placed TE Brevin Jordan on the IR, a spot opened up on the 53-man roster for Ross. Ross was a practice squad elevation on Sunday against the Bears and played on 83 percent of the team’s special team’s snaps, so that will be his primary function in Houston.

One of Schefter’s sources said they “wouldn’t be surprised” if Love plays while another called it “50-50 at best right now.” Love returned to practice on Wednesday as a limited participant. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters it would be “ideal” for him to practice before returning a few days earlier. Fantasy managers holding onto Love should still enter the weekend with a backup plan, but it does appear as though Love is truly questionable for Week 3, unlike last week.

Kupp suffered a serious high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Cardinals, and while he avoided injured reserve, it would be surprising if he returns to the field in the next couple weeks. That leaves the Rams offense without its top two wideouts and an injury-marred defense. Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter talked on the Rotoworld Football Show about what to expect from LA’s offense without Kupp and Puka Nacua.