NFL Player News

The Cardinals signed and then cut him within the first two weeks of August. Denver also added Pope earlier this offseason after Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles, but they also waived him after a week. If he sticks with the Rams, Pope profiles as a depth piece for a solid offensive line.

Downs missed the first two weeks of the season while recovering from a high-ankle sprain he suffered during training camp. He returned to practice in a limited capacity last week and was considered a game-time call for Week 2. The Colts ultimately held him out to let the injury fully heal before letting the young receiver back on the field. Downs’ return will take snaps off the table for one of Alec Piere or Adonai Mitchell. It’s not clear who will see their snaps reduced and it could be both players. Downs will rank as a risky WR4 for his 2024 debut. Mitchell and Pierce are both no-floor WR5s.

Hunt, 29, signed with the Chiefs this week after the team lost lead back Isiah Pacheco to a broken leg. The former Chiefs and Browns back probably won’t see more than a handful of touches if he suits up against the Falcons on Sunday night. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele will likely split backfield touches in Pacheco’s absence, with Perine positioned as the pass-catching RB.

Fox Sports’ Greg Auman said it was hard to say if White was a full participant. That he was practicing at all after leaving Sunday’s game with a groin issue is a good sign he’ll suit up in Week 3 against the Broncos. Bucky Irvin would see an increased role against Denver if White is limited or sidelined in Week 3.

Njoku will miss a second game with an ankle injury he picked up in Week 1. Jordan Akins will continue operating as Cleveland’s No. 1 tight end. In Week 2 against the Jaguars, Akins ran a route on 20 of the team’s 38 drop backs and caught his only target for ten yards.

The league’s concussion rules for players who have suffered previous brain injuries — like Tagovailoa — “puts return-to-play decisions entirely in the hands of medical experts, completely excluding teams’ coaches and football staffers from having any say in such matters.” Tagovailoa, 26, is reportedly not considering retirement after his fourth brain injury since the start of the 2022 season. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, meaning he’ll miss at leas the next four weeks. It would not be surprising if he was held out for much longer, however.

Latu is dealing with a hip injury he sustained in Week 2 against the Packers. The Colts defense, one of the worst in the NFL in the early season, can ill afford to lose Latu, the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Colts take on the Bears in Week 3.

Johnston has asserted himself as the clear WR1 in the run-first LA offense. He has seen 25 percent of the Chargers’ targets and 40 percent of the team’s air yards through Week 2, and scored two touchdowns on Sunday against the Panthers. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, per Popper, has encouraged Johnston to not be dragged down by the outside criticism that dogged him during his miserable rookie campaign. The Chargers have set up Johnston to use his after-the-catch ability this season. His rate of crossing routes has increased from 9.9 percent in 2023 to 19 percent in 2024, according to Popper.

Minshew connected with Bowers on a couple late scramble drills in the Raiders’ Week 2 upset win over the Ravens. Bowers caught all nine of his targets for 98 yards and almost scored a touchdown against Baltimore. He now leads the Raiders with 15 receptions through two games. Minshew, per Vegas beat writers, demonstrated chemistry with Bowers throughout the summer — a connection that has translated to the regular season. The team has used Bowers in creative ways. In Week 2, he had 15 snaps at tight end, six snaps as an outside receiver, and 20 snaps in the slot. As the 1B option behind Davante Adams, Bowers has a real path to the TE1 overall in fantasy formats.

Smith is a four-year veteran who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, notably a torn meniscus that kept him out for the full 2021 season. Initially drafted by the Vikings, Smith spent last season with the Bengals and slashed 18/115/1 in 12 games. He will now try to latch on with the Texans, joining their practice squad. The Texans also added Scott Quessenberry to the practice squad with center Juice Scruggs banged up.

Buckner suffered an ankle injury Week 2 against the Packers and though X-rays came back negative, he will need at least four games off to heal. With Buckner being one of the Colts’ best defensive players, their defensive front has gotten weaker. He had 1.5 of the Colts’ four sacks this season and anchored a defense that was already allowing over 150 rushing yards per game. Taven Bryan and Grover Stewart will need to step up to replace Buckner’s production. DE Genard Avery was signed to the 53-man roster in a corresponding move.