NFL Player News

Thomas had foot surgery this week and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. It’s quite the setback for the Giants, as whose pass-blocking is graded by Pro Football Focus as the 15th best in the NFL through Week 6. Thomas in the offseason signed a five-year, $117.5 million deal and was meant to be the anchor of New York’s offensive line.

After suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6, it looks like Ford is a long shot to suit up for Week 7 against the Bengals. D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong could lead the Browns backfield this week if Nick Chubb is not ready to return from his 2023 knee injury. The ineptitude of the Cleveland offense won’t offer much in the way of fantasy production until or unless Chubb comes back and takes on a major role.

Auman, a former Bucs beat writer who now covers the NFC South, said he would “caution” the Tampa Bay backfield “will be a rotation” going forward, with Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving remaining key parts of the team’s offense. “White is probably still the first one in if he’s back healthy, but he’d do well to be productive,” Auman said. “Irving and Tucker have set the bar high for the position and will now get their share as well.” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that Tucker’s Week 6 emergence could create a “three-headed” backfield. White, among the most inefficient runners in the NFL, is in real danger of losing valuable touches in the Tampa backfield.

Sermon banged up the shoulder in Week 6’s win over the Titans. With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) likely sidelined for another week, Tyler Goodson could be the team’s default lead back this week against the Dolphins. Goodson in Week 6 had 51 yards on eight rushes and functioned as the team’s primary pass-catching back. The Colts signed RB Salvon Ahmed as backfield depth in case Sermon is out against Miami.

Fowler said the decision to bench Watson would assuredly involve team owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry, meaning head coach Kevin Stefanski has no choice in confirming Watson as the starter week after week in a lost season. “My sense through all of this is the Browns are resigned to their fate, having no choice but to ride this out and hope things turn,” he said, adding coaches who have faced Watson in 2024 believe he’s “done” as an NFL quarterback. Fowler and ESPN’s Dan Graziano concluded there is no easy way out of Watson’s contract. Even sending an entire draft’s worth of picks to a team willing to absorb Watson’s remaining deal might not do the trick. We can expect Watson to remain under center for the rest of the 2024 season.

With Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin considering starting Wilson over Justin Fields in Week 7 against the Jets, DeFabo pointed out that Wilson has led the NFL in sacks taken in two of the past five seasons. “With an injured and inexperienced offensive line, the risk of sacks setting the Steelers back is real,” DeFabo said. “Wilson also leaned on his mobility in his younger days to extend plays and create outside of structure. The Steelers should not expect him to be this type of passer and will need to evolve the offense accordingly.” DeFabo added that Fields could still be used in certain packages as a rusher as the Steelers continue adding “new wrinkles” to the Fields-involved rushing attack. In such a scenario, Wilson would not be fantasy viable in any format.

According to McNeill’s agent, Mike McCartney, the Lions agreed to a four-year extension with McNeill. The former third-round pick has 10.5 sacks in 52 games through four seasons with the Lions. Currently starting on the team’s defensive line, McNeill has three tackles for loss through five games this season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports it is a four-year, $97 million deal, including $55 million guaranteed. The Lions lock up their big nose tackle for four more years before he hits free agency.

The Packers released Brayden Narveson in a corresponding move after he missed five of his 17 field goal attempts this season. They now add McManus, a 10-year veteran who spent last season with the Jaguars, his first nine with the Broncos, and made 81.4 percent of his career field goal attempts. McManus was under investigation of alleged sexual assault stemming from a 2023 incident, but the NFL concluded its investigation by determining there was insufficient evidence a violation of the personal conduct policy occurred. He re-joins the NFL with the Packers.

Callaway last played for the Saints in 2023, though he saw no touches and just 28 snaps in three games. The former undrafted rookie free agent had his best season in 2021, catching 46 passes for 698 yards and six touchdowns as a Saint. Callaway returns to the NFC South to provide receiver depth for the Bucs’ practice squad.

This is the second season in a row the Vikings have traded for Cam Akers, who has 40 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown this season. This indicates Aaron Jones (hip) may still be feeling the effects of the hip injury he suffered in Week 5, though he was practicing on Monday. Akers adds depth to a backfield with Ty Chandler as the primary backup.

Surtain was estimated as a non-participant for practice for the second day in a row. He exited Week 6 against the Chargers due to a concussion and seems to still be in the protocol. On a short week ahead of a Thursday game against the Saints, it does not look like Surtain is slated to play. The Saints are thin at wide receiver, so Bub Means may be the primary beneficiary here.