NFL Player News

NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell said that while the union has “not yet progressed to formal negotiations” with the league, discussions are underway to once again expand the regular season. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in May that any lengthening of the regular season would come at the expense of the preseason. “We would do it in the context of reducing the number of preseason games. We think that’s a good trade,” Goodell said. Though some players have expressed concern about an even longer regular season, it appears the union and the league are moving toward an 18-game season.

The team elevated quarterback Sam Hartman from the practice squad in an associated move, who is likely to serve as the emergency quarterback behind starter Jayden Daniels and backup quarterback Jeff Driskel. Mariota began the offseason in a competition with the first-round rookie before injuring his pectoral, prompting the move to injured reserve. Even so, the 30-year-old journeyman was a long shot to earn the starting job over the promising rookie.

This was always thought to be the outcome ahead of their Week 1 game against the Browns, with the roster transaction making it official. Lamb, fresh off a lucrative contract extension, will look to bolster his numbers after finishing as fantasy’s top wide receiver in 2023. That path starts against the Browns on the road.

Gaskin is expected to play primarily on special teams while offering some depth behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. The Vikings carried only two running backs on the 53-man roster through cut downs, making the recent signing of Gaskin and his ability to also contribute on special teams a priority.

Justin Fields is still expected to draw the start against the Falcons but the team can now take the decision down to the wire with the release of inactives an hour and a half prior to kickoff. Kyle Allen should serve as the backup to Fields for as long as Wilson remains out.

The team did designate him for return, meaning the veteran tight end will miss the next four games, at minimum. Carolina’s tight end stable is wide open at present, with Tommy Tremble ruled out and a pair of rookies and converted wide receiver Jordan Matthews left standing on the active roster for Week 1. Either way, expect the offense to flow through recent addition Diontae Johnson and running back Chuba Hubbard against the Saints.

A late addition to the injury report is potentially bad news for the Patriots safety’s availability this week. Peppers was a key part of the New England defense last season as he recorded 78 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass deflections, one force fumble and one fumble recovery. If Peppers were to miss Week 1, it would be a boon to the Bengals offense, which will potentially be short-handed.

Darden is a former fourth round pick by the Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’ll take the open roster spot the Browns had after waiving David Bell earlier this week. Darden is an additional weapon in the return game for Cleveland while Ford Jr. and Ifedi are depth pieces.

The Colts’ starting kicker Matt Gay has missed practice all week due to a hernia. That puts Shrader in line for his first career start in the Colts’ Week 1 matchup with the Texans. While that matchup carries one of the higher totals of the week and Shrader will be kicking indoors, using a kicker with more experience is the practical move for fantasy managers setting lineups in Week 1.

The deal is now official as the team announced the extension. Ramsey once again becomes the league’s highest-paid cornerback. The 29-year-old is now under contract with Miami through the 2028 season. Ramey is a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 2021 Los Angeles Rams. Ramsey had three interceptions in 10 games with the Dolphins last year. He’s listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for Miami’s Week 1 matchup against the Jaguars.

Pelissero notes that there’s still a wide range of outcomes based on additional scans, which Love will have done once the team returns from Brazil Saturday afternoon. Love isn’t completely in the clear just yet and more will be known after he receives an MRI, but the fact that initial tests show his ACL intact is a positive. Diana Russini of the Athletic previously ruled out an ankle injury for Love in a report on Twitter. Love was removed from the Packers’ 34-29 loss against the Eagles in the fourth quarter after he took a low hit and suffered a lower body injury. Malik Willis and Sean Clifford are the potential in-house replacements at quarterback for Green Bay.