NFL Player News

CB Jimmy Smith, after missing the season’s first couple weeks with an ankle issue, will suit up against Detroit. Smith’s return is a boon for a Baltimore secondary that’s proven more vulnerable than usual. Fantasy managers should be confident in deploying the Ravens defense against Jared Goff and the Lions.

Dalton will get the nod after Bryce Young failed in spectacular fashion over the first two games of the year. The 36-year-old will give Young a chance to watch from the sidelines for a bit, but it still seems likely Carolina will turn back to Young to see what they have in Young before the 2024 season comes to a conclusion. Neither Dalton nor Young are good fantasy options for the rest of the year.

Instead, it will be Andy Dalton who starts at quarterback against Baltimore. Young was horrible in Week 2 in the 26-3 loss to the Chargers with just 84 yards and a pick on 26 attempts against Los Angeles. The first-overall pick will get a chance to watch against Baltimore and likely will get his starting gig back at some point, but this has been an objective disaster thus far. Carolina might as well start studying the film tape of Carson Beck and Shedeur Sanders even more closely now.

Achane came into that Thursday Night Football game highly questionable, but with Raheem Mostert (chest) unable to go, the speedy tailback received a career-high 29 touches; 22 of them on carries. Even if Mostert can go in Week 3 against the Seahawks, it seems very likely that Achane is going to receive the bulk of the carries against a Seattle defense that was shaky against the run in Week 2.

White suffered the groin injury in the first quarter and briefly left the game. He returned a few plays later and still managed to lead the team in rush attempts at 10. White has been dreadfully inefficient again this year, averaging just under two yards per carry on 25 attempts. The groin injury could give head coach Todd Bowles another reason to get rookie running back Bucky Irving more involved. White is a volume-based RB2 heading into his Week 3 matchup with Denver.

Johnson confirmed the diagnosis on his X — formerly known as Twitter — page. The injury occured in the third quarter when he collided with Will Levis, and he was carted off the field. Johnson will likely miss the rest of the 2024 season, and it’s a big loss for a team that doesn’t know when — or if — Haason Reddick will return to the club.

Gano injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff of New York’s Week 2 game against the Commanders and could not kick for the remainder of the contest. The team will likely host kicker tryouts in the coming days before their Week 3 game against the Browns.

Strong has handled kick return duties for the Browns and some backfield pass catching work behind Jerome Ford. If he misses Week 3, Ford and D’Ontae Foreman will split the backfield workload, with Ford as the clear top option.

Bell had three early receptions against the Jaguars in Week 2 before sustaining the hip injury and being carted to the locker room. Bell’s season is likely over, leaving Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore as the Browns’ top three wideouts.

Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said Vea is considered day to day ahead of the team’s Week 3 game against the Broncos. The last time he suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain, Vea missed one game. His injury is one of many on Tampa’s defense over the pat two weeks.

“I feel a confident player. From that standpoint, I’m encouraged,” Payton told reporters after Nix had another dismal outing, completed 20-of-35 passes for 246 yards and two interceptions in a 13-6 loss to the Steelers. Through two weeks, Nix ranks 29th out of 32 qualifying QBs in EPA per drop back. His deep ball has been severely lacking and even his intermediate attempts have been off the mark in his first two pro starts. Payton’s comments suggest Nix will have a long leash this season. Nix goes up against the Bucs in Week 3.