Team news: New Orleans Saints | Page 28

Lions RBs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Jamaal Williams (chest) were limited Friday according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Neither is considered an issue ahead of Monday's game against Green Bay.

The only way to feel good about either popping up on the injury report is if they're set to play Monday without an injury designation.

Marcus Mariota took a designed quarterback run 31 yards on third-and-1 early in the game, but was unable to play for the rest of the contest.

Related players: Derek Carr, Nathan Peterman

While Mariota is Las Vegas’ backup quarterback, Gruden apparently had significant plans for the 2015 No. 2 overall pick saying, “Yeah, we lost a big part of our offense,” Gruden said. “Hopefully it’s not going to linger on.” Peterman is next up on the depth chart.

Lions RB Jamaal Williams will reportedly be the starter at running back against the 49ers, while D’Andre Swift will be limited.

Tom Pelissero notes the limited role on passing down for Swift simply stems from his limited practice time during the week and is nothing disciplinary. The Lions reportedly love what they have in Williams and he is expected to carry the load against the 49ers. Swift gets a downgrade for Week 1 but it’s a tough matchup regardless against what should be a very good 49ers defense, even with Javon Kinlaw inactive.

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup suffered a strained calf in Thursday's 31-29 loss to the the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. Gallup is expected to miss 3-5 weeks.

Related Players: Noah Brown, Cedrick Wilson

Gallup was having a solid game as the third passing option prior to the injury. Cedrick Wilson replaced Gallup and is the likely candidate to do so as long as Gallup is injured.

Saints QB Taysom Hill did individual drills with the tight ends Wednesday according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football.

Related Players: Adam Trautman, Juwan Johnson

The Taysom Hill shenanigans will continue in 2021. His inclusion in non-QB offensive situations hurts Trautman and Johnson and will cap their ceilings if Jameis Winston remains the Saints quarterback.

Saints are releasing RB Latavius Murray, per source. They asked for a pay reduction yesterday and he refused. Murray is coming off his best season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per catch.

Related players: Tony Jones, Alvin Kamara

Jones has shot up the depth chart this summer, and with the release of Devonta Forman and now Murray, it looks like Jones is the team's RB2. Kamara owners take note. Jones could have standalone value as well. Over the past two seasons, when Kamara is active and healthy (29 games), Murray has averaged 9.9 touches for 48 yards and 0.24 touchdowns per game. In the two games that Kamara missed, Murray averaged an eye-popping 31.0 touches for 153.5 yards and 2.0 touchdowns. Jones should at least get a similar workload.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said on 97.1 The Ticket this morning that RB D'Andre Swift (and DL Michael Brockers) will be ready to go Week 1.

Related players: Jamaal Williams

Swift did not play this preseason because of a groin injury and several Lions coaches have said they were worried about his early season workload, Birkett went on to say. He added that always seemed like a nudge to get and keep him on the field. It remains to be seen what Swift's workload will be, but it's very likely Williams will also have a role.

More RBs on the market:

Saints have released running back Devonta Freeman, per source.

Related players: Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Tony Jones

This isn't necessarily a surprise, but there were those who thought Murray would get cut due to his cap hit. But Murray survives as of now, however, his role is still in doubt as many predict Jones will be the RB2 behind Kamara. The Saints RB2 at least as some standalone fantasy value, but the real value would come with a Kamara injury, so this is a key handcuff situation to monitor.

The New Orleans Saints have named Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Related Player: Taysom Hill

Winston won the job after a strong performance this past Monday during the Saints' preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Winston is John Paulsen's QB29 at the moment. His passing floor and ceiling were always higher than Hill's, but the role Hill plays in the Saints offense still makes him a potential streamer in Superflex and 2QB leagues.