NFL Player News

The league’s concussion rules for players who have suffered previous brain injuries — like Tagovailoa — “puts return-to-play decisions entirely in the hands of medical experts, completely excluding teams’ coaches and football staffers from having any say in such matters.” Tagovailoa, 26, is reportedly not considering retirement after his fourth brain injury since the start of the 2022 season. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, meaning he’ll miss at least the next four weeks. It would not be surprising if he was held out for much longer, however.

Kupp suffered a serious high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Cardinals, and while he avoided injured reserve, it would be surprising if he returns to the field in the next couple weeks. That leaves the Rams offense without its top two wideouts and an injury-marred defense. Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter talked on the Rotoworld Football Show about what to expect from LA’s offense without Kupp and Puka Nacua.

Durant suffered an apparent toe injury in the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Lions, but played with a decreased workload for Week 2. He starts out the week not practicing, adding to the Rams’ injury woes. With Durant’s Week 3 also in jeopardy, the 49ers offense will have a plus matchup against a weakened Rams secondary. K Joshua Karty (groin) and TE Davis Allen (back) also did not participate, all sitting out practice with WR Cooper Kupp (ankle). The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue mentions CB Ahkello Witherspoon as an elevation candidate heading into Week 3.

Samuel is expected to miss a few weeks due to a calf strain, so it is no surprise that he did not practice. He can safely be put on fantasy injured reserve spots for a couple weeks, though the 49ers are not putting him on the actual injured reserve for the time being.

As expected, Kupp did not participate in practice after suffering an ankle injury Week 2. The Rams currently do not anticipate placing him on injured reserve, though he will be out an extended period of time. Kupp will miss Week 3 and later updates could give a clearer view of his recovery timeline.

By this point, Fant starting out the week limited due to his toe injury is becoming a trend. Don’t be surprised if you see him limited again next week, barring any setbacks he should still play Week 3. Pharaoh Brown (foot) was also limited, while special teamer Brady Russell (shoulder) missed practice. The Seahawks’ tight end room has been a bit underwhelming this season, with Fant being the best option as a back-end TE2.

Witherspoon has played in the Seahawks’ first two games, so a limited designation in a Wednesday practice for Week 3 is not a major concern. Just notable in case the Seahawks’ top corner indeed misses time. Safety K’Von Wallace (shoulder) missed practice, though the secondary was not nearly as depleted as the team’s front seven.

Mafe led a lengthy injury report for the Seahawks front seven. He was a new addition with a knee injury and would be a crucial missing part after starting the season with two sacks in two games. LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee) remains out with an MCL sprain while LB Jerome Baker (hamstring) and DE Leonard Williams (knee) also did not participate in practice. The good news is that LB Derick Hall (hip) was limited and LB Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) and DT Jarran Reed (knee) were full participants. It is still early in the week, but Mike Macdonald’s defense hopes to get back key contributors before Week 3 against the Dolphins.

Metcalf pops up on the injury report to begin Week 3 due to a hand issue. After a big 10/129/1 showing in Week 2, fantasy managers are likely not thrilled to see Metcalf dealing with a hand injury. Reports from practices later in the week will expand on the severity of Metcalf’s injury, but this is something to monitor for someone who is a fantasy WR2 when healthy. Fellow WR Tyler Lockett was limited with a thigh injury, though Lockett has played through it in each of the last two weeks. He and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will see even more usage should Metcalf remain out for Week 3.

Armstead’s inability to practice on Wednesday is a negative sign for his Week 3 availability and the Dolphins’ offense needs all the help it can get. His presence would help stabilize the offensive line’s left side in what is likely to be a trailing game script.

This is a great sign for Wilson’s Week 3 availability though with No. 2 RB Raheem Mostert (chest) also practicing in a limited capacity, Wilson is likely relegated to No. 3 duties. Wilson is just a bench stash at this point.