Fantasy Football News | Page 823

It's not the worst case scenario for the Carolina Panthers, but it is still very much a gut punch. On a Sunday that saw top talent around the league lost to injury -- several of them being major in nature -- running back Christian McCaffrey joined the list when he was knocked out of the Week 2 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an ankle injury. Those wondering if the All-Pro will be available for Week 3 need wonder no more, with unpleasant news arriving on Monday. McCaffrey is expected to miss multiple weeks with the injury, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, which makes him a candidate to land on injured reserve.

Related players: Mike Davis, Trenton Cannon

Davis and Cannon are expected to take over the workload for McCaffrey. Davis even stood out in the passing game after McCaffrey exited so he'll likely be a popular pickup this week on the wires. The story said another option for the Panthers could be free agent Devonta Freeman, but the Pro Bowler's price might suddenly be going up following an injury-ravaged NFL weekend. Freeman was said to be visiting the Giants after the loss of Saquon Barkley. Either way, Davis is a must-add.

Actually, Jonnu Smith and quarterback Ryan Tannehill have been bringing on-field energy since the offseason, even when most weren’t.

While the pandemic forced most NFL teams and players to rely completely on virtual meetings in lieu of minicamp and organized team activities, which were canceled, Tannehill and Smith happened to be in the same part of the country at the time. The pair were able to get in some valuable one-on-one time while working at a park in South Florida, learning each other’s tendencies and developing the type of on-field chemistry that can be built, well, only on the field.

The chemistry is starting to show. Smith, who finished Sunday’s game with four catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns, replaced Delanie Walker as the team’s top tight end. Smith will likely start to get noticed on if he's on the waiver wire in your league.

Giants WR Sterling Shepard, knocked out yesterday with a toe injury, is believed to be dealing with turf toe, source said.

Related players: Darius Slayton, Golden Tate

He’ll have an MRI today, but that’s an ailment that generally causes a WR to miss some time, Rapoport went on to say. Looks like Slayton and Tate could be the Giants top two wideouts. The Giants are also dealing with the loss of RB Saquon Barkley.

Saquon Barkley is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and the Giants are looking for running back help from outside the organization.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that they will have Devonta Freeman in for a workout this week.

Freeman said last week he was waiting to sign as four teams were interested. Freeman waited things out and now the Giants could be the best fit for him. The Giants may also be motivated buyers after Barkley went down with a suspected torn ACL on Sunday, the story said. Freeman may not be able to produce at Barkley’s level, but the Giants may see him as an upgrade on the Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman combo that currently leads their backfield. Gallman was a surprise scratch in Week 2.

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn on Tyrod Taylor: “If he’s 100 percent ready to go, he’s our starter.”

Related players: Justin Herbert

Taylor was a late scratch in Week 2 giving way to the Herbert. All Herbert did was throw for 311 yards and a TD, also getting Keenan Allen involved in the passing game with a 7-96-0 line. Even Austin Ekeler was involved in the passing game with a 4-55-0 line. We'll see what the ultimate decision is for Week 3, but it seems like Herbert should be the guy going forward.

Patriots RB James White (personal reason) will not play Sunday against the Seahawks and is inactive.

New England Patriots inactives, SNF

OLB Josh Uche
OT Korey Cunningham
QB Jarrett Stidham
RB James White
TE Dalton Keene
DB Myles Bryant

In tragic news, White’s father was involved in a car crash and did not survive and his mother was also in that accident and is in critical condition. White was made aware of the news and made the decision not to play, which is completely understandable. Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead will help lead the running back room in Seattle.

Courtland Sutton (knee/leg cramping) won't return to Sunday's game against the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Related players: Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, Tim Patrick, DaeSean Hamilton.

Sutton had been dealing with a shoulder issue as well. Jeudy, Hamler, Patrick and Hamilton would be next up if Sutton has to miss more time. He was out for Week 1.

Raheem Mostert sustained a mild MCL sprain during Sunday's 31-13 road victory against the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Backfield mate Tevin Coleman, who also hurt his knee Sunday.

Related players: Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson

Mostert departed the game in the second quarter, but not before accumulating 107 yards from scrimmage on 10 touche. Coleman had 12 yards on 14 carries. Because of those injuries, McKinnon (three rushes for 77 yards and a score) and Wilson (two runs for three yards) rounded out the 49ers' healthy running backs, the story said. Remember, the team signed McKinnon to be the go-to back a couple of years ago before getting hurt, so he could be finally getting his chance if Mostert and Coleman miss time.

Jimmy Garoppolo picked up a high right ankle sprain during Sunday's 31-13 road win against the Jets, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Related players: Nick Mullens

In the aftermath of the game, coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers won't make a decision on Garoppolo's status for next Sunday's game versus the Giants until the end of the week, the story said. As the story also added, high-ankle sprains typically require missed time, so Mullens may be poised for his first start since the 2018 campaign.