Team news: Carolina Panthers | Page 48

Dan Graziano: Vikings QB Sam Bradford is not expected to play Sunday. Knee didn't respond well to practice work this week. Next steps beyond this week are unclear.

Related players: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph

Ian Rapoport confirmed the report. This is an obvious downgrade for the entire Minnesota offense and the Buccaneers defense now looks like a good streaming option in Week 3. Graziano's mention of the "next steps" being "unclear" is not a good sign for Bradford's short-term availability.

Vikings starting QB Sam Bradford remains questionable for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, but the Vikings promoting a practice squad quarterback makes it seem Bradford is not a 100 percent lock to be ready for Sunday.

Bradford popped up on the injury report this week with swelling in the knee in which he's had his ACL surgically repaired twice.

Related players: Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph

Bradford is a streaming option in 1QB leagues in Week 2, after a QB3 performance in Week 1 against the Saints. If you are considering starting him on your team, make sure you have an alternative ready to go. The Vikings do have a 1:00 ET start Sunday, increasing the options if Bradford isn't able to go. If Bradford doesn't play, that obviously would downgrade his skill position players too with Case Keenum at back-up quarterback. Be sure to check back for updated rankings before 1:00 ET Sunday if Bradford is ruled out for this week.

When in doubt, always give it to wide receiver A.J. Green. When you pick a six-time Pro Bowler, how can you go wrong? Especially in this training camp. Want to hear something scary? Talk to enough people at Paul Brown Stadium and they’ll tell you his seventh camp is the best one he’s ever had.

“I would agree with that,” said quarterback Andy Dalton after Wednesday’s practice, the last full-scale workout before Saturday’s game.

The story said Green has put a lot of work into the little details of his game. It should encourage those looking to target Green in fantasy drafts. We rank Green fourth among WRs on our list.

I won’t rule WR Rodney Adams out of earning this role at some point this season with the Vikings, but I wouldn’t make him the favorite for the third receiver.

Laquon Treadwell has done nothing but impress since the offseason program began and I think he’s got a stronghold on the No. 3 spot.

I also wouldn’t count out Michael Floyd as the receiver who sees the third most snaps and/or targets by the time we get to the home stretch of the regular season. A big opportunity for Adams will be on special teams, where the kickoff return role is an open competition heading into training camp.

Related players: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen

Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen look to have the top two spots while some talented players battle it out for the third spot. Treadwell, of course, was a first round pick in 2016 so one would think the Vikings would love to see more production from him this season.

Laquon Treadwell was in the team's top three-receiver sets during the Vikings' first open OTA on Wednesday, working with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. And after practice, Shurmur sounded impressed with what he's seen from Treadwell since the Vikings welcomed players back into their building last month.

"He’s had a great, in my opinion, five-and-a-half weeks," Shurmur said. "He came back and he was really on point with what he’s supposed to be doing mentally. He’s been out here competing and doing a nice job running routes and catching the ball. Understanding where he fits in the running game and who to block. To this point, we’ve been really pleased with his progress based on a year ago."

Treadwell caught just one pass as a rookie, though it sounds as if he has made a lot of progress as he heads into his sophomore season. Given his disastrous rookie year, we wouldn't expect him to outproduce either Diggs or Thielen, but he'll have a chance to contribute as the team's WR3 if he can beat out Jarius Wright and Michael Floyd.