Team news: Chicago Bears | Page 12

Carroll: RB Ken Walker is still tender after hernia surgery and there's no timetable for his return.

Related players: Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas

As the tweet went on to say, and as we reported after the surgery, Carroll previously said he expected Walker back for Week 1, so that seems like a potentially significant update that doesn't sound great for fantasy owners. Walker is missing valuable time with the team and so it looks like Penny will have much of the lead back work with Homer and Dallas serving as change of pace or passing down backs.

Per the article, "At this point, Kmet is the No. 2 pass-catching option in the Bears offense behind No. 1 receiver Darnell Mooney. Fields trusts him, but so does [offensive coordinator Luke] Getsy."

Related Players: Equanimeous St. Brown, Byron Pringle, Velus Jones

It's not as if the team has many other options, but regardless, finding a tight end with a legitimate target floor is difficult to find in fantasy. Cole Kmet was involved in the screen game during the Bears' second preseason game, an area of the field that he was not utilized in during the last coaching regime; his four targets on screens in 2021 ranked 25th amongst NFL tight ends.

Josh Palmer is making a strong case to be the third wide receiver behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and make a big jump in Year 2. Palmer is shining in practices and building a solid rapport with Justin Herbert, creating separation with great routes and catching everything thrown in his direction. Palmer has has an all-rounded skill set to thrive as the Z receiver, with his impressive route running, reliability, and ball skills.

As the story said, the Chargers did not make any significant additions to their wide receiver room this offseason, and a big part of that was their belief in Palmer. The 2021 third-round pick did not start to see the field until the midway part of the season, but he flashed every time he was on. Palmer ended up catching 33 passes for 353 yards with four touchdowns in 2021. It may be tough for Palmer to earn targets with Allen and Williams in the lineup, however.

Unsurprisingly after Sam Darnold's lackluster 2021 and the trade for Mayfield, it looks like the latter is in the driver seat as the team's QB1.

Related Players: D.J. Moore, Robbie Anderson

Per the article, “He’s definitely improving,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said of Mayfield. “He gets more and more of a feel of what he can do at the line of scrimmage. What he’s done in 10 days is pretty impressive — or 10, 11 practices. He’s making really good jumps.” Mayfield would add stability to the skill position group like Darnold would not. This is good news for the WR group.

Palmer has been hounding Keenan Allen —who he may replace in 2023— about route running heading into his sophomore season.

Related Players: Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton

It looks like a lock that Palmer will have the WR3 role in Los Angeles and could play a massive role if Keenan Allen were to miss any time. Palmer filled in for Allen during Week 15 of last season, securing a 5-66-1 line during his rookie season. The article would go on to mention that the team could save almost $15 million in cap space if they were to move on from Allen after this season.

Seahawks star RB Chris Carson is retiring from the NFL due to a neck injury, sources say.

Related players: Rashaad Penny, Ken Walker, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer

Seattle will officially release him with a failed physical designation. Under the CBA, that allows Carson to receive several million in injury protection benefits. Seattle does right by him, according to Rapoport. There were rumblings of this as far back as last year, given the nature of the injury. From a fantasy standpoint, this officially clears the way for Penny and Walker to take over a majority of the RB workload.

Bears beat reporter Courtney Cronin gave a detailed look at the new Bears offense being installed, and a lot of it revolves around QB Justin Fields and moving. “I don't want to get too much in detail with it, but Justin’s on the move a lot, and I think he does well with that,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “That’s been exciting to see, and you see the types of throws he can make with his legs and on the run and off-schedule.”

Cronin also touched on Fields and Eberflus' relationship getting stronger and his ability to pick up the offense. “We have to be on the same page, always,” Getsy said. “That’s where I feel like he’s grown, is communicating with me so well now, things that he’s feelings, things that he sees and so that part of it has just been tremendous for a young guy to be able to do that.”

Second-year tackle Teven Jenkins also commented on how the offense looks from his point of view. “It is a big difference,” Jenkins said of the scheme. “It’s a lot faster pace, a lot more up-tempo, getting around, setting edges, all that stuff. How that affects you is you got to slim down a little bit more, get faster, speeding up in certain areas.”

The article also focuses on RB David Montgomery and his role in the new offense.

The Bears offense is one of the biggest question marks for fantasy players ahead of 2022 drafts. Even if the coaching staff is just blowing smoke towards reporters, what the offense is doing in OTAs is at least foundational for expectations this season.

The Chicago Bears are signing TE Ryan Griffin to a one-year deal.

Related Player: Cole Kmet

After once being the butt of the league with a gaggle of tight ends vying for playing time, Griffin is now in line to be Chicago's TE2 behind Cole Kmet. Griffin has been mildly successful when given a chance and could steal targets from Kmet. Both are to be drafted later or not at all depending on league size.

The Los Angeles Chargers and TE Gerald Everett have agreed to a two-year deal.

Related Players: Donald Parham, Tre McKitty

The Chargers did not have a proven tight end on their roster with Jared Cook a free agent. Everett is good enough to run as the lead tight end but should also see Parham and McKitty get enough work to make Everett more of a TE2.

Lions HC Dan Campbell told reporters Wednesday that RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder) will play Weeks 17 and 18. "We'll shut him down after Green Bay,” Campbell said.

Related Players: Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds

The Lions backfield situation is officially too murky to feel good about any of their options.