NFL Player News

That’s definitely not how we expected this to end given how all reports this offseason have gone. Until Gronkowski is inevitably pulled out of retirement in Week 13 or whatever, he hangs it up with 9,236 receiving yards, 92 receiving touchdowns, and a dominant 11-season career that should make him an inner-circle Hall of Famer. Adam Schefter notes that he received a text from Gronk agent Drew Rosenhaus that says: “It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call. This is just my opinion but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.” Gronkowski’s retirement opens up space for Cameron Brate in the Tampa passing attack and should also boost the stock of Russell Gage. “I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had,” Gronkowski wrote on Instagram.

Nabers is good to go for the Giants’ Week 2 game against the Commanders and their dismal secondary. Fantasy managers should start him with complete confidence in the can’t-miss matchup. Giants coaches appear to have handled the situation very responsibly, which bodes positively for Nabers’ season-long outlook.

Sean McVay indicated Avila opted for an MCL repair in order to “accelerate his recovery.” The Rams hope to make a Super Bowl run this year despite their myriad offensive injuries.

Bosa was listed as limited for Wednesday’s practice but was then downgraded to a DNP on Thursday. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper noted that Bosa was working off to the side, not in uniform, for Friday’s practice. It sounds like the oft-injured defender is on the wrong side of questionable for Week 2, though his status is still up in the air. Even without Bosa, the Chargers should be able to contain Bryce Young, who is coming off a dreadful Week 1 versus the Saints. Cornerback Ja’sir Taylor is also listed as questionable.

Addison’s second NFL season is off to a brutal start, having already sprained both ankles. Jalen Nailor can be deployed as a deep-league flex option, though the third-year receiver remains a largely unproven player.

Palmer was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being listed as questionable on Friday, presumably after another limited session. Palmer was a mainstay in the Chargers’ receiver rotation last week before being ejected at the top of the fourth quarter. He would rank as a WR4 if active. Rookie Brenden Rice was a healthy scratch in Week 1 but could make the gameday roster if Palmer can’t suit up.

Odunze suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that was eventually revealed to be a low-grade MCL sprain. He was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday before returning for a limited session on Friday. Despite the upgrade on Friday, fantasy managers should have a contingency plan heading into the weekend. WDeAndre Carter would seemingly be in line for WR2 duties on Sunday if both Allen and Odunze are inactive. He would be a high-risk bet on routes and is only playable if both receivers are ruled out.

Allen missed Wednesday’s practice with the heel issue but head coach Matt Eberflus downplayed the absence, saying Allen was resting and would be evaluated on Thursday. He was then held out of practice on Thursday and Friday, giving him three straight DNPs leading up to his questionable status. Allen, who logged 11 targets in his first game with the Bears, is genuinely questionable for Week 1. Rookie Rome Odunze is also questionable. Needless to say, DJ Moore is in for a monstrous workload in Week 2.

Wilson adds, Scruggs’ “groin injury is not regarded as serious or long-term.” The injury is unfortunate, nonetheless. The Texans’ offense was hampered by an oft-injured offensive line last year. Scruggs, himself, missed the season’s first 11 weeks due to a hamstring strain. Hopefully, Scruggs can avoid setbacks in his recovery.

Wilson is not yet a high-impact rotational player and losing valuable in-game repetitions will not help his development. Hopefully, he can return soon. Backup rookie G Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) will be a game-time decision but fellow rookie LB Tommy Eichenberg (knee) will make his NFL debut.

Head coach Kevin Steichen said Downs would be a game-time decision and simply told reporters, “We’ll see” about his status. It sounds like Downs could be held out one more week as he recovers from the high ankle sprain he suffered in training camp. If he is ruled out ahead of kickoff, Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will start in three-receiver sets once again. Pierce caught three balls for 125 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, though Mitchell nearly hit on multiple big plays as well. Both receivers will be boom/bust WR5s versus the Packers.