Tonges injured his MCL in Week 1. His return timeline has not yet been reported. With Tonges sidelined, TE George Kittle’s ramp-up period could be expedited. Backup TE Luke Farrell should also see more playing time, though he is not fantasy-relevant. The 49ers correspondingly promoted WR KhaDarel Hodge to the active roster and signed TE
Jack Stoll.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports McDonald is expected to return this season. McDonald was a core special teamer last year. He suffered a knee injury on his second snap of Week 1.
That escalated quickly. On Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Mason’s “sore thumb” was being evaluated. Apparently, it had sustained a small fracture, which has now been “fixed,” ostensibly surgically, given O’Connell’s phrasing. Short-term injured reserve placement requires players to miss four games, but the Vikings are on bye in Week 6, so Mason will be eligible to return in Week 7. Mason led the backfield with 15 carries in Week 1, so his absence provides RB Aaron Jones with a touch-count boost. Veteran RB DeeJay Dallas operated as the RB3. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne was inactive last week, but should be active in Week 2 against the Lions. Speculatively stashing him could be worthwhile.
Murray was knocked out of Week 1 after just a few snaps when he took a late hit directly to his helmet from a Green Bay defender. A limited practice today means he is already making progress through the league’s concussion protocol. He is arguably on the positive side of questionable to start the week. Murray would be a borderline QB1 in versus Chicago’s awful defense if he clears the protocol ahead of Sunday. Carson Wentz will draw the start if Murray isn’t available.
Okonkwo left Week 1 in the third quarter with the hamstring issue and did not return. A DNP today puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 2. John Bates and Ben Sinnott each ran 10 routes on Sunday. They would likely split Okonkwo’s role if he can’t suit up, meaning their isn’t much fantasy value to be had here.
Delane left Week 1 with a right shoulder injury and did not return. He underwent X-rays after exiting the game and the results were negative. Reid specifically said he expects Delane to be available, but that doesn’t rule out a reserve role if the team wants to play it safe with the rookie. He is expected to practice today, presumably in a limited capacity.
It’s possible Flowers gets in some light work after the media portion of the practice, but this should go down as a DNP. Flowers left the Ravens’ Week 1 win over the Colts in the first half. He already had 150 yards and a touchdown to his name. The hamstring issue isn’t believed to be serious, but the team may want to take a cautious approach and hold him out for a week. With Ja’Kobi Lane out because of a broken wrist, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews would be the top targets for Lamar Jackson if Flowers is also sidelined.
Tracy has the flu, according to head coach John Harbaugh. He said the hope is that Tracy is back for tomorrow’s practice. Tracy was demoted from the RB2 role in Week 1 after losing a fumble on his second carry of the night. He did not play a snap on offense after the turnover. The missed practice time this week could be reason enough for the Giants to make him inactive in favor of Najee Harris on Sunday. Either way, Tracy is not worth stashing even in deep fantasy leagues.
McMillan missed Week 1 due to a knee issue, despite getting in three limited practices during the week. He was listed as doubtful and the team ruled him out ahead of kickoff. It seems like the team was taking a cautious approach with his return from the training camp injury, and he should be good for Week 2. McMillan is expected to take rookie Ted Hurst’s spot in the lineup at X. Hurst managed just three catches for 36 yards in the role. In his first game of the season, McMillan will be buried in the WR5 ranks for fantasy purposes.
Vrabel told reporters Henderson was expected to practice on Monday, so it sounds like the first steps in his return to play are going as planned. He will presumably be limited for today’s session. Rhamondre Stevenson was dreadfully inefficient in Week 1, averaging 2.8 yards per carry on 18 attempts. The Pats desperately need a spark on offense, and Henderson should give that to them once he’s healthy.
The fact that Bowers isn’t expected to practice today suggests Week 2 is not on the table. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim just before the start of the season and missed Week 1. According to Graziano’s sources, “The team felt he could have played last week if necessary.” That would have been an absurdly quick turnaround for a meniscus trim procedure, though Bowers is already known as a player who tries to push through serious injuries. Graziano added that the latest he thinks Bowers will play is Week 4, which is good news for fantasy managers. Michael Mayer will continue to start in his place until Bowers returns.
Louis suffered an MCL sprain in Week 1. He was initially expected to miss a few weeks, and now that number will be at least four while he’s on injured reserve. The team signed cornerback Jaylin Simpson to their active roster in a corresponding move.
Kincaid, according to Fowler, “could be the real key to elevating Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense this season.” Fowler added “multiple people with the team told me Kincaid is healthier than he was this time last year and is on no snap restrictions.” This is further confirmation that Kincaid won’t see the highly restrictive usage of the Sean McDermott era in Buffalo. Head coach Joe Brady is keen on using Kincaid both as an intermediate threat and a downfield option. Kincaid in Week 1 against the Texans led all tight ends in air yards (94) and ran a route on nearly 70 percent of the Bills’ drop backs. He could be an elite every-week option going forward.
Stefanski on Wednesday wouldn’t rule out any of his four quarterbacks of the apocalypse, including rookie QB Jack Strand, who flashed in preseason action against second and third-team defenses. Rush as abysmal in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Steelers. He was 10.5 percent below his expected pass rate, throwing for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. There’s almost no way Strand would be a downgrade for Week 2 if he gets the nod. Michael Penix (knee) will continued to be sidelined and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) is questionable at best. Strand should be picked up in superflex leagues.
Stribling will be sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a serious ankle injury in Week 1’s win over the Rams. It’s a disappointing start for the rookie, who can safely be dropped in most fantasy leagues. Deebo Samuel, who led the Niners in slot routes last week, could see an uptick in playing time and targets over the next month. Samuel had 48 yards on six receptions against the Rams. He should be rostered in 12-team PPR formats ahead of the Niners’ Week 2 game against the Dolphins.
This comes as the Niners placed rookie WR De’Zaun Stribling (ankle) on injured reserve, meaning he’ll be sidelined for at least four weeks. Hodge isn’t likely to see many snaps or routes this week against the Dolphins and should remain on waiver wires.
It’s a very different report than the one we got from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who said Darnold — injured on the first drive of the regular season — could be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. In any case, Drew Lock is set to start for Seattle this week against the Cardinals. In Week 3 the Seahawks will face off against the Commanders. Expect the Seattle offense to be among the run-heaviest units for as long as Lock is under center. The Seahawks in Week 1 produced 176 total team air yards, the third fewest of the week.
Fowler said Penix, still recovering from his 2025 ACL injury, “wants to be fully confident before stepping onto the field. And my understanding is the Falcons are leaving the comfort level part of his recovery up to him.” “Penix is coming off his third ACL reconstruction, which is a lot of ACL reconstructions,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano added. “I believe it takes a lot of mental work to convince yourself it’s OK to go back out there and play. If Penix needs more time, I’m sure the Falcons will give it to him, though I believe we will see him on the field at some point this season.” That would leave Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s presumed starter if Tua can play through the oblique strain that sidelined him in Week 1 against the Steelers. If Tua can’t go, the Falcons could be forced to start Cooper Rush for another game or two. Rush, who had the lowest drop back EPA of any QB in Week 1, makes Drake London and Kyle Pitts iffy starts in 12-team fantasy formats.
Green suffered the elbow injury in Sunday’s win over the Browns and will miss at least the next four weeks. Meanwhile, the Jaguars added DE BJ Ojulari to the team’s practice squad ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Broncos.
Allen was arrested for DWI in late August and could face a suspension from the NFL. When that suspension could come down is anyone’s guess. For now Allen will continue playing significant snaps for the Colts. In Week 1 against the Ravens, Allen caught all six of his targets for 32 yards while running a route on 73 percent of the team’s drop backs.
Valdes-Scantling worked out with the Chargers earlier Tuesday and now signs with the team’s practice squad. The 31-year-old spent the offseason with the Cowboys and has been a journeyman since his first four seasons with the Packers, also spending time with the Chiefs, Bills, Saints, 49ers, and Steelers over his career. The Chargers add Valdes-Scantling as depth with Ladd McConkey dealing with a rib injury and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) heading to injured reserve.
Luvu left the Commanders’ Week 1 loss to the Eagles with an apparent groin injury. Fowler reports the veteran linebacker is not expected to have a long-term absence, but the fact that avoiding injured reserve was even mentioned indicates Luvu is in danger of missing Week 2. Rookie first-rounder Sonny Styles will pair with Leo Chenal in the middle of the Washington defense while Luvu misses time.
Murray is a former first-round pick of the Chargers, spending four seasons in Los Angeles before splitting the last two seasons with the Titans and Cowboys. He has started 83-of-90 career games and brings experience to the middle of a Texans defense that just placed Henry To’o To’o on injured reserve. Murray will start out on the practice squad but it would not be a surprise to see him get some regular season snaps soon.
Lane fractured his wrist in the Ravens’ Week 1 victory over the Colts, catching one pass for 11 yards in his rookie debut. The 22-year-old operated as a top-three receiver in the Ravens offense and was set for a sizeable role prior to the injury. He was seeking multiple opinions on the injury as of Monday, but Zenitz now reports Lane is expected to have surgery on his wrist very soon. Zenitz adds that the hope is for the rookie to be able to return in a month. Injured reserve will be a consideration for Lane, which would be a four-game absence at the minimum.
With Jake Tonges dealing with an MCL injury, the 49ers added Stoll to the practice squad for depth. Stoll spent last season with the Saints, catching six passes for 46 yards in 15 games. He initially signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent an 2021 and has not surpassed 200 yards receiving in a single season over the course of his career. Stoll’s specialty is blocking and we could certainly see him blocking in the 49ers’ run game if Tonges is out for a while and George Kittle still working his way back to a full workload.