NFL Player News

This news comes just hours after Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said players returning from injury would see “modified reps.” Cousins was fully cleared to return from his torn Achilles earlier today, and while he did log a full session on Thursday, it’s possible days off will be worked in as part of his “modified reps.” One thing that remains unknown is Cousins’ usage in the preseason. Morris said earlier that he wasn’t sure whether or not Cousins would appear in the preseason, but Cousins is already on record saying he’s asked to play in the preseason and was denied. That could change as the team progresses through training camp, but the Falcons’ primary concern is making sure Cousins is healthy and ready for Week 1 when they take on the Steelers.

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.

Diana Russini reported that Reddick is a long shot to play and Saleh confirms that report here. She added that she was told Reddick is operating with the “mindset that he will die on this sword.” Reddick initially wanted a new contract from the Eagles and the Jets traded for him anyway despite seemingly no intention of giving him a new deal. Reddick hasn’t appeared at the Jets’ facility for OTAs, mandatory minicamp, training camp or practice this week. Now that Reddick’s holdout will extend into the regular season, the question becomes when will it end.

Russini says the team is in wait-and-see mode regarding further information on the quarterback’s lower body injury, but she’s been told an ankle injury has already been ruled out. The Packers’ team flight home from Brazil is set to return Saturday afternoon and at that time Love will receive an MRI. Love certainly isn’t out of the woods yet. More will be known after he gets an MRI, but the worry is a significant knee injury. Any time Love misses would be catastrophic to the Packers skill players with Malik Willis and Sean Clifford as potential replacements in the immediate. Love was removed from the game after he suffered a lower body injury when Jalen Carter hit him low with five seconds left in the Packers’ 34-29 loss to the Eagles on Friday.

With MarShawn Lloyd out because of a lingering hamstring issue, Wilson served as Josh Jacobs’ backup versus Philly. Wilson didn’t see the field much but looked incredibly explosive on his limited number of touches. His first touch came on the Packers’ fourth drive of the night. He sliced through the Eagles’ linebackers for a 14-yard gain. Head coach Matt LaFleur stuck with him on the following two plays for gains of five and 18 yards. Wilson is purely a backup and won’t see the field enough to have stand-alone fantasy value, but he would be an instant RB2 if Jacobs were to miss any time while Lloyd is still recovering.

While Kraft’s stat line looks disappointing on the surface, his fantasy stock is on the rise after this game. Kraft drew the start and played ahead of Luke Musgrave despite entering the game as questionable because of a back issue. He ran more routes than Musgrave and saw one more target than him. Musgrave failed to catch either of his two looks in the passing game. Jordan Love left this game early with a possible ankle injury. Love missing time would delay any potential breakout for Kraft, but the second-year tight end made his case to be ranked among the TE2s whenever Love is back in the lineup.

Musgrave was easily out-snapped and out-produced by Tucker Kraft, who caught two passes for 37 yards. This was despite Kraft dealing with a back issue leading into this game. The Packers clearly view Kraft as the starter and Musgrave as a part-time backup. Fantasy managers can send Musgrave packing on the next run of waivers.