NFL Player News

Cooper (6’2/230) arrived in College Station as a four-star recruit during the tumultuous 2020 pandemic campaign and took a redshirt before assuming a more prominent role the following year. His redshirt freshman year started slowly with Cooper recording just six stops and seven missed tackles through the first five games. He flipped the switch down the stretch though, posting 22 stops and just two missed tackles in his last seven contests to garner SEC All-Freshman Team recognition. He slid into a starting role in 2022 and was productive enough to accrue 61 tackles, 8.0 RFL and five PBU for a decent 66th% PFF defensive grade. However, that was just a warm-up act for his terrific 2023 with Cooper accumulating 17.0 TFL, 56 stops (5th in P5) and 27 pressures (7th in P5) while earning First Team All-American accolades for his accomplishments. His 91st percentile PFF defensive grade was the highest mark of any linebacker in the nation, with Cooper emphatically staking his claim as the top linebacker in the SEC. The Covington, LA product dazzled Combine onlookers with a blazing 1.54s 10-yard split (95th%) and 4.51s 40-yard dash (97th%). Cooper’s 34” arms are unnaturally long for off-ball duty, but his 7.20s 3-Cone is a middling 58th% time and he chose not to bench. Cooper Led LBs in sacks thanks to advanced quickness and get-off off which helps to offset his height. Despite verified elite athleticism, he could use another 5-10 pounds to handle the rigors of the NFL game. Very crafty when diagnosing run concepts and works around blocks efficiently, but isn’t going to stun blockers with his power. Born hitter with sideline-to-sideline speed and range who wants to deliver a crushing blow every play. Cooper is one of the premier linebackers in the 2024 group and is well-equipped to be a key cog in the middle of an NFL defense.

Bateman was added to the injury report as a ‘DNP’ Friday but was listed as a full participant in the team’s Saturday walkthrough, ultimately removing any game status against the Chargers. Expect the veteran field stretcher to be on the field on Monday night.

McConkey managed just one limited session in preparation for the team’s Week 12 game against the Ravens in the Harbaugh Bowl after sustaining a shoulder injury in Week 11. Final determination of McConkey’s status will come 90 minutes prior to the team’s Monday Night Football kickoff, meaning fantasy managers may want to consider alternate options for Week 12.

Hurst was added to the team’s injury report Friday with a new hip injury after playing only 24 combined offensive snaps since Week 6 while dealing with multiple injuries. Will Dissly will maintain his primary tight end role for the Chargers against a Baltimore pass defense allowing 10.8 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Thibodeaux returns to a roster now thrust into complete rebuild mode after the team released quarterback Daniel Jones earlier in the week. At this point, the Giants are playing to evaluate the future of the franchise.

Dean returns to the active roster after missing the minimum four games with a hamstring injury. The Buccaneers are not yet out of playoff contention, making Dean’s return off the utmost importance for a defense allowing the third most passing yards per game.

Cooks saw his 21-day practice window opened prior to Week 11 but managed only limited showings in practice this week, ultimately failing to do enough on the practice field to warrant a return to the active roster ahead of the team’s Week 12 game against the Commanders. The Cowboys are in a complete state of disarray with tight end Jake Ferguson also ruled out after sustaining his second concussion of the season in Week 11 and alpha wide receiver CeeDee Lamb struggling through multiple injuries, including a painful AC joint sprain.

The same goes for right guard Zack Martin, who is dealing with both ankle and shoulder injuries and was previously listed as doubtful. The Cowboys find themselves in the middle of a lost season with mounting injuries on both sides of the ball, not exactly a recipe for success against one of the most competitive teams in the NFC.

Russini cites conversations with sources with the Jets and around the league in her reporting. This comes on the heels of an ESPN report that indicated Rodgers likely wouldn’t be back with the Jets in 2025 under a new regime. With a new front office and head coach, it only makes sense that the organization will be moving on from the 40-year-old quarterback. The question remains of what team would be willing to acquire the former four-time MVP after an unequivocally disastrous stint in New York.

The full quote reads, “the way [Purdy’s elbow] responded this week, it’s really up in the air for next week, so we’ll have to see on Monday.” Shanahan also said that the team thought Purdy just needed to rest after viewing Monday’s MRI results. The elbow’s inflammatory response on Thursday reportedly “surprised” Purdy so the team opted to play things conservatively by shutting Purdy down for the rest of the week. Purdy notably “can’t remember a play that [the injury] specifically happened on.” Fantasy managers should make backup plans for Week 13 accordingly.

The deal runs through the end of the 2024 NFL season and contains $2 million in guaranteed money. This is a great move for the 9-1 Chiefs, who are almost assuredly headed to the playoffs once again. Humphries played well as a pass blocker last season before tearing his ACL in Week 17.