Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 5

Ricky Pearsall has been easy to pick out in San Francisco 49ers practices.

For one, he’s been the team’s most prominent receiver on the field for most of the spring. Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show on Day 1 of the mandatory minicamp on Tuesday as he continues to hold out for a multiyear contract extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing

Barrows went on, “It’s been fun to watch both of them,” Shanahan said of the Purdy-Pearsall connection. “Brock doesn’t always get to watch how the route gets there. But he knows when guys end up in the right spot. That’s when quarterbacks get comfortable, and I think he can make that throw with Ricky right away. He’s been getting to the right spot. And when he has made a mistake, he understands it and corrects it. I think that so far those guys have had a lot of fun working together.”

Pearsall will be very interesting in fantasy should Aiyuk or Samuel miss any time. As it stands, he only profiles as a late-round dart throw

Restricted free-agent WR Jauan Jennings is signing a two-year deal with the 49ers worth up to $15.4 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed.

Jennings did not sign his free-agent tender and instead did this deal, which is akin to a one-year extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Ronnie Bell, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing

The 49ers are doing all they can to insulate Brock Purdy with weapons, and that should continue to be the case, assuming they don't move on from Samuel or Aiyuk before next season. Jennings doesn't have any standalone fantasy value as it stands, but boosts the offense as a rotational WR3/4.

CeeDee Lamb's absence has opened up opportunities for the Cowboys' young wide receivers, such as Jalen Tolbert, their third-round pick in 2022. After releasing Michael Gallup earlier in the offseason and not addressing the position yet with a known commodity in free agency or early in the draft, Tolbert has the chance to take the No. 3 role behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks.

Related Players: Ryan Flournoy

Tolbert has had modest numbers through his first two professional seasons and was inactive for nine games during his rookie year. If he locks in the WR3 job he could be an interesting dart throw late in drafts.

Former Cowboys WR Michael Gallup plans to sign a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Related Players: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker

This is a great landing spot for Gallup to try and work his way back into the fantasy consciousness. It feels like ages ago, but the former Cowboy was a consistent producer in the 2019-2020 seasons before being sidelined with a calf strain through much of 2021. Gallup could find his way into 3WR sets with some consistency after the team left the NFL Draft without a new WR.

Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup. Move to eventually save $9.5M in 2024 cap space as a post-June 1 cut.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, Martavis Bryant, KaVontae Turpin

Gallup has sadly fallen off since tearing his ACL in 2021 and has failed to eclipse 40 receptions in either of the last two years. The once-promising wide receiver will have a chance to find a role with a new team and could contribute as a perimeter option in 2024.

Veteran RB Austin Ekeler is signing with the Commanders on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million.

Related Players: Brian Robinson, Chris Rodriguez

The Brian Robinson bellcow role lasted about two hours, but the Commanders backs have company now. Ekeler had clearly lost a step last season, but a veteran pass-catching presence in the backfield will be an obvious plus. Ekeler should carve out a role that puts him in RB2 conversation, while Robinson holds onto a goal-line role that makes him almost as fantasy viable.

Former Commanders' running back Antonio Gibson is expected to join the Patriots.

Related Players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Eliott, Brian Robinson, Chris Rodriguez

The Patriots backfield looks like it's going to be an absolute nightmare for fantasy purposes, as part of one of the worst offenses in the league. Gibson shouldn't be more than a late-round dart.

This should leave Brian Robinson as the bellcow in Washington.

The Commanders placed RB Chris Rodriguez Jr (ankle) on IR. Ends his season early.

Related Players: Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, Derrick Gore

After a key injury to Brian Robinson, we got to see a little bit more of the rookie, including a two-touchdown in Week 16, which was nice for dynasty owners who took a stab in rookie drafts. There's a chance that Antonio Gibson gets a huge workload ahead of a touch matchup against the 49ers in Week 17.

Via Alec Lewis of TheAthletic.com, O’Connell also mentioned that receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder) are both day-to-day.

Related players: K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell

Addison left last week's game and didn't return. With T.J. Hockenson lost for the season at TE, the Vikings will need all hands on deck as they sit at 7-8 on the season. There is also a report that any of their three QBs could get the start in Week 17. If Addison can't go, Osborn could be in line for more targets. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding this offense right now.

Commanders ruled out RB Brian Robinson for Sunday’s game vs. the Jets.

Related Players: Antonio Gibson, Chris Rodriguez

Chris Rodriguez took a surprising amount of early-down work last week, and should have a decent RB3 role, particularly in Standard or point-per-carry leagues. Gibson should maintain the pass-catching role and be an asset in half-PPR leagues as an RB3 in his own right.