NFL Player News

It’s a nice addition for the barren New England offense. Williams will function as a big play target for Drake Maye, who operated with one of the league’s worst wideout rooms in 2024. Williams (5’11/190) only appeared in six games as a freshman at UNLV because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he immediately looked like the best player on the field. He posted a 35/426/2 line as a true freshman. That was 21 more receptions and 280 yards more than the team’s second-leading pass-catcher. The Rebels’ passing attack never took off and Williams amassed just 1,142 yards and seven touchdowns across 19 injury-plagued games over the next two years. Williams then transferred to the pass-crazed offense of Washington State. He set career highs across the board with a 61/843/6 line in 2023 and then doubled down with 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns on 70 grabs in 2024. Williams ran a 4.4 Forty at the combine and his speed is apparent on tape. He separated on intermediate and deep routes with ease. Only 16 percent of his career targets were contested and that number fell to 14 percent at Washington State. Williams looks the part of a future WR2 in the pros, though his undersized build could limit his ceiling as an outside receiver.

The good news is that the 31-year-old tight end is no longer listed with a calf injury. It ends there. Engram has caught 4-of-6 targets for 33 yards through two games, making him difficult to roster given the injury concerns and questionable upside. Should Engram get right in a week or two, it is possible for him to return TE1 value. Fantasy managers are encouraged to explore the waiver wire for superior bench stashes though. Ravens TE Isaiah Likely (foot) notably has a chance to return this week.

Watkins is listed as a limited participant, which suggests the once-hyped rookie wide receiver strained his calf in practice. It’s a brutal development for a young player who just rehabbed an ankle injury. Watkins is seemingly unlikely to suit up in Week 3 against the Cardinals.

Last week, when Jennings was only dealing with a shoulder injury, he sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. He then improbably caught 5-of-10 targets for 89 yards and one touchdown. Jennings is tough to trust, given the new injury, but we expect a similar practice participation situation to unfold tomorrow. He is a boom-bust WR3 for the time being.

Purdy was asked if he could end up playing this weekend, and he responded by saying that the decision will come down to how he is feeling come “game time.” That’s a bit surprising, but it sounds as though Purdy may actually suit up this weekend. His continued limited participation only furthers the notion. His mobility may be impeded if he is active, however, and he is also still nursing a left shoulder injury.

Witherspoon is rehabbing an MCL contusion, and was unable to play in Week 2. Rookie S Nick Emmanwori remains sidelined by a high-ankle sprain and fellow S Julian Love is sidelined by a hamstring injury. The Saints’ speedy wide receivers could have a productive day against the Seahawks’ banged up secondary in Week 3.

Horton is on track to play, though returning to full participation today would have been nice to see. The Seahawks’ rookie speedster had a productive outing on four targets last week, though that sum is likely his projectable ceiling, at least in the short term. He could play efficiently against the Saints’ defense.

Charbonnet is now firmly on the wrong side of questionable. The Seahawks will likely be without their No. 2 running back, setting up Kenneth Walker III for a large workload against the Saints in Week 3. The Seahawks list RB George Holani in the No. 3 role, behind Charbonnet.

Oliver is nursing an ankle injury and Milano is rehabbing a pectoral injury. Their absences thin out the Bills’ interior defense, and Dolphins RB De’Von Achane fared well against this unit last year. He’s primed for another big game here. The Bills’ passing offense will survive Samuel’s absence. He has not yet suited up on game day this season.

The 33-year-old tight end will try again next week. He remained limited through all three practices this week, which seemingly gives him decent odds of suiting up against the Jets in Week 4. The Dolphins’ injury-depleted secondary should allow the Bills to throw the ball efficiently, albeit in a likely run-heavy game script.

The Dolphins are 12.0-point road underdogs, signaling a likely pass-heavy game script for Miami. Although we would prefer that the Dolphins score touchdowns in bunches, a tilted game script that features their speedy pass catchers will suffice. Waddle is a borderline WR2/3 for this week’s Thursday Night Football game.