Team news: Las Vegas Raiders | Page 37

Honestly, we have no idea. We’re throwing our hands in the air. The Patriots released Demaryius Thomas but are expected to bring him back. He’d be in the mix with Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers and NKeal Harry for that No. 3 role, as well. Julian Edelman is the only guarantee for Week 1. Josh Gordon will probably take on an almost full share of snaps as the No. 2, but he might need to work on his conditioning after missing training camp. Dorsett has the best rapport with Brady. Meyers had the best training camp. Harry has the most potential but hasn’t played or practiced in full since Week 1 of the preseason because of an injury. He’s a candidate for IR. Thomas had the best preseason game, putting up seven catches for 87 yards with two touchdowns in Week 4. Our best guess is Dorsett and Meyers share the No. 3 role and wind up with around the same amount of snaps in Week 1. If Thomas comes back, then maybe he and Dorsett share that role.

There is a lot of information to process here, but it looks like Gordon will be the team's WR2, at least once he's back in ideal shape. The WR3 role is up in the air but could have a fantasy impact with Gronk out of the picture. James White will also be a big factor in the passing game out of the backfield, but it looks like Dorsett and Meyers are guys to keep an eye on.

Worth noting fullback C.J. Ham has been the Vikings' lone third-down back for starting offense in limited preseason reps.

Related players: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison

Cook will be a three-down back, but they need a reliable third-down option, the tweet went on to say. That could be Ham, especially if the rookie Mattison isn't up to speed by the time the season starts.

The Vikings made a change in the backfield during their bye week when they claimed running back Ameer Abdullah off of waivers from the Lions.

Abdullah was a starter for most of his first three seasons, but fell out of favor in Detroit this year and played in just three games before losing his roster spot.

As the story said, it’s unclear how much playing time he can expect to see with Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray already on hand. The story added he could be used on kick returns.

The Lions are signing FA WR Bruce Ellington, formerly of the Texans, source said. To create space, they are waiving RB Ameer Abdullah.

Abdullah had a strong spring and summer and surprised many by making the team. But, he’s been mostly inactive this season. Rapoport went on to say Detroit had some trade talks before the deadline, but nothing came to fruition.

The Raiders' new kicker is rookie Daniel Carlson, per source.

The Vikings drafted him in fifth round before waiving him earlier in season.

The Vikings are expected to sign K Dan Bailey, source said. He’s back.

Related players: Daniel Carlson

Carlson gets the boot after winning the job in the preseason. Bailey should be a top fantasy kicker most weeks on a team with a nice offense.

Lions Inactives
Ameer Abdullah RB
Ezekiel Ansah DE
Jamil Demby OG
Andrew Donnal OT
T.J. Lang OG
Brandon Powell WR
Hakeem Valles TE

Related players: LeGarrette Blount

Blount (shoulder, questionable) was limited Friday after taking full reps earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 2. Blount supposedly suffered a knee injury in Week 1, but it’s his shoulder that had him on the injury report.