NFL Player News

Given the Chiefs’ decision not to place Brown on injured reserve, we’d expect him to be back sometime within the first three weeks of the season. With that said, he appears to be on the outs for Week 1 against his former team, which elevates rookie Xavier Worthy into low-end WR2/high-end WR3 territory. Brown injured his shoulder in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jaguars and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks with the injury. Brown injured his shoulder on August 10, meaning we’re a little more than a week away from the four-week mark. The Chiefs’ Week 2 matchup against the Bengals goes down on September 15, which could be a realistic option for a return.

Thielen is out for Week 9 with a hamstring issue. With their season already over, the Panthers have no reason to rush him back and are better off getting some draft picks in exchange for the veteran wideout. The Steelers, in turn, are shamelessly trotting out Van Jefferson as their No. 2 receiver. Both Thielen and Mike Williams would be upgrades over Jefferson and neither will cost much to acquire. Thielen topped 1,000 yards for the first time since 2018 last year but has spent most of the 2024 season on injured reserve. He would be a lowly WR4/5 on Pittsburgh’s run-first offense if traded.

Legette was added to the injury report with the toe issue mid-week, causing some concern for his Week 9 availability. He was limited in Thursday and Friday’s practices before being listed as questionable. With Diontae Johnson traded and Adam Thielen still out, Legette is now the Panthers’ de facto WR1. His volume in that role should be enough to keep the rookie on the WR3 periphery for fantasy purposes. UDFA rookie Jalen Coker is the team’s No. 2 receiver.

Boyd was listed as questionable for Week 9 on Friday. The veteran slot receiver has yet to hit 50 yards in a week and has one game with more than three catches. He is buried in the WR6/7 ranks for Week 9.

Pollard did not practice once this week but still drew a questionable tag on Friday. With Tyjae Spears ruled out because of a lingering hamstring issue, the Titans took things down to the wire with Pollard despite his lack of a single practice rep. It appears to have worked as Pollard is in line to gut it out versus the Pats. With Pollard limited at best, it’s safe to assume we will see more of Julius Chestnut than usual. Chestnut is stepping into the No. 2 role sans Spears. Fantasy managers with a bench spot to spare could take a flyer on Chestnut before Sunday’s games.

Will Levis is listed as questionable after getting in three limited practices this week. The Titans are slow-playing his return as he works his way back from a sprained AC joint in his right (throwing) shoulder. Rudolph could earn another start if he defeats the Patriots today. Levis’s mistake-prone style cost the Titans several games in the first five weeks and he only got one win on the board. Fantasy managers can ignore this quarterback room for now, but Rudolph’s presence should create a higher floor for the pass-catchers, namely Calvin Ridley.

Robinson was held to three limited practices this week before being listed as questionable. He has played through injuries before and should have no problem doing so this week. Robinson has at least 15 touches in five of his seven games this year and is getting heaps of red zone carries on Washington’s suddenly elite offense. He sits in the middle of the RB2 ranks for his matchup with New York.

Jacobs missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on the field for a pair of limited sessions before being listed as questionable. He also told reporters on Wednesday he would be good to go come game time, so there never appeared to be any risk of him missing Week 9. With Jordan Love playing through a groin injury, expect the Packers to take the air out of the ball and lean on Jacobs versus Detroit. Jacobs will sneak into the RB1 ranks for Week 9.

At the very least, Russini reports Nacua took the team flight to Seattle. It’s obviously somewhat ominous that Nacua’s knee issue flared up less than one week following his return, but it’s clearly an issue the team and wideout are going to try to manage as they navigate the NFC West’s wild waters. Nacua can be considered a risk/reward must-start on the WR1/2 borderline.

The veteran wide receiver will make his season debut for the Chargers in Week 9 against the Browns. The team also gets back wide receiver Quentin Johnston and tight end Hayden Hurst, making Week 9 the healthiest their pass-catching corps has been since the start of the season.

The veteran injured his knee in the team’s Week 1 contest and has been held out ever since. His return comes just in time as the Seahawks look to upset the divisional rival Rams at home in Week 9 to claim control of a tight NFC West division.