Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 14

No practice again for today for a second straight day for Packers’ WR Christian Watson and RB Aaron Jones, who are dealing with hamstring injuries.

Related Players: A.J. Dillon, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed

Though no one benefitted from a huge target share in Week 1, Doubs accounted for two-of-three passing touchdowns from Jordan Love, after reports from camp pegged him as the quarterback's favorite target. Reed had a huge 18.4 aDOT in the kickoff game, filling into the deep-threat role. Dillon should slide into the RB1 role if Jones were to miss time, making him a very solid fantasy RB2.

LaFleur said they're still evaluating RB Aaron Jones (hamstring).

Related players: A.J. Dillon

The post went on to say, "the encouraging thing is he was able to jog off the field" and that they didn't need him the rest of the game. This falls in line with a news story we posted from earlier today when Jones downplayed the injury. Obviously these injuries can be tricky, so Jones owners will want to follow this closely to learn more about his Week 2 status.

Kyren Williams out-touched Cam Akers 14 to 11 until the Rams took a 24-13 lead.

Our very own John Daigle also pointed out Akers recorded 11 touches (all carries) to Kyren's 1 over the last 9:09 of the fourth quarter to ice the game. Williams ran 30 routes (73%) to Akers' 4 (10%). Williams could be one of the bigger fantasy-related stories of Week 1, at least at the running back position. Williams finished with a rushing line of 15-52-2 while Akers ended with 22 carries and just 29 yards before adding a TD to help owners salvage some fantasy production. Williams will likely be a heavily-targeted free agent pick up this week in your league.

Aaron Jones downplaying severity of his hamstring issue. Said after game it feels "great," claims he could've gone back in game.

Related players: A.J. Dillon

The post said the team thought maybe Jones was dealing with a cramp. Jones described the injury as a 'bite' and said he could have gone back in the game if the Packers didn't have a big lead. It will be something to monitor this week if you're a Jones owner.

The Vikings and T.J. Hockenson agreed to terms on a contract extension that makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends. Hockenson hasn’t participated in training camp while dealing with some ailments and awaiting a new deal. Now he’ll be back in drills and have time to ramp up for Week 1 against the Buccaneers.

Many have surmised that Hockenson's physical setbacks this summer probably had more to do with the contract extension than his back. Now back with the team, there is no reason to be concerned about a possible holdout, as fantasy drafters should continue to view him as a top-five option.

The Miami Dolphins weren't the only team interested in acquiring Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts. The Green Bay Packers were also in talks with the Colts and had legitimate interest in trading for the star running back. Indianapolis moved forward after its self-imposed deadline of Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET came and went without receiving what the team deemed an acceptable offer for Taylor, who requested a trade last month and was authorized by the Colts last week to seek out a trade partner.

Related Players: Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Evan Hull, Zack Moss

This saga is far from over, as Taylor is still eligible to be traded despite remaining on the PUP list. The running back will miss at least the first four games of the regular season, regardless of who holds his contract. Taylor heading to Green Bay would be near-catastrophic for fantasy purposes, as we're already dealing with a split that chews into both Jones' and Dillon's fantasy value.

The Dolphins would be easier to stomach for those of us who have been draft best ball teams all Summer, as all of their RB options have been going deep in the double-digit rounds.

The Vikings are waiving rookie seventh-round pick RB DeWayne McBride, per source.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Those taking McBride in dynasty leagues this spring were probably hoping for a role in the Vikings backfield after the team released Dalvin Cook. McBride actually had a good summer and scored two preseason TDs, according to the post. But the Vikes are poised to give the RB1 job to Mattison with Chandler emerging as the team's RB2.

From the outset, Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings staff are very committed to Alexander Mattison being the guy.

Related players: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride

Silva's post quoted Connor Allen. Allen's post from a podcast went on to say that Mattison has also been active as a receiver. Mattison doesn't have much behind him on the depth chart either, and he's shaping up to be a make or break fantasy target at the RB spot. Our John Paulsen went on to break down Mattison's potential for 2023: With Dalvin Cook out of the way, Mattison has a great chance to finish as a fantasy RB1. In the 14 games that Mattison has seen at least 10 carries, he has averaged 18.1 touches for 88 yards and 0.57 touchdowns. The resulting 13.0 half-PPR points per game are about what Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones averaged as low-end RB1s in 2022. Even better–in his seven starts from 2020-21, he averaged 23.3 touches for 118 yards and 0.72 touchdowns per game. That production would have beaten out Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb last season.

Trade: The 49ers are sending their former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a mid-round. Lance now gets a fresh start in Dallas.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, Cooper Rush, Will Grier

All things considered, this feels like a great deal for all teams involved. Regardless of what we think about the 49ers sacrificing so many picks to grab Lance in the first place, it didn't make any sense for them to keep him, as he has apparently become a third-stringer. The Cowboys had to give away only a fourth-round pick for what could be an exciting backup option, and Trey Lance gets a new start after what presumably has been a rough first couple of years in the league.

In fantasy terms, Lance at least becomes a hold in deep 2QB dynasty leagues.