Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper landed the game-winning touchdown among two receptions for 26 yards during Sunday's hard-fought victory against the Titans. Cooper's snap count percentage increased by 26% as he capitalized on his increased involvement alongside primary pass-catchers like DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, making a strong case for continued playing time.
Undrafted wide receiver Cody White emerged from the practice squad to haul in two key second-half touchdowns, helping power the Las Vegas Raiders to a 26-14 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers. White caught a 13-yard diving score in the third quarter and an uncontested 11-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter, cementing his status as a significant game-day contributor.
Rookie fifth-round cornerback Hezekiah Masses drew his first NFL start in place of the inactive Darien Porter and made the most of it by intercepting Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert twice in a 26-14 victory. Masses secured his first interception off a bobbled ricochet from tight end David Njoku in the first quarter and added a second pick in the fourth quarter to help seal the Raiders' second win.
CeeDee Lamb was highlighted among the NFL's highest-graded performers for Week 2 by Pro Football Focus following strong individual showings across completed games, maintaining an edge in expected fantasy points over teammates like George Pickens within the Cowboys' evolving offensive scheme.
Deone Walker was recognized among the league's highest-graded performers by Pro Football Focus following standout performances across the first 15 completed games of NFL Week 2, earning defensive player of the week honors and joining top players like Brock Purdy, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb, and Patrick Mahomes.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy carved up the Miami Dolphins secondary, completing 18 consecutive passes after an early incompletion to finish with 275 yards and two passing touchdowns, earning the week's highest PFF grade of 96.6 and offensive player of the week honors. Purdy also led the 49ers in rushing with 30 yards and a score on the ground, orchestrating a dominant 35-13 home win to maintain a 2-0 record.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley hurt his left shoulder on the first play of Sunday's win over the Titans. He managed to return for 11 more snaps in the second half, finishing the game with just four carries and a catch for 20 total yards. Barkley initially had a stinger scare that left him questionable in the first half before returning to action, though the Eagles' run game largely stalled without his usual production and he is heading for an MRI.
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Patrick Paul put together an encouraging performance in a 35-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, earning the team's highest Pro Football Focus grade at 75.5, including an impressive 82.0 pass blocking mark. Holding his own against a ferocious 49ers defense, Paul solidified his stock as a key piece of Miami's future upfront ahead of his contract's final year.
Miami Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson endured a very difficult outing in a 35-13 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, earning a poor 45.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. Jackson openly admitted he needs to be better after the game. With backup Caedan Wallace waiting in the wings, Jackson's starting job could be in jeopardy as speculation mounts regarding his long-term future with the franchise.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph will remain sidelined and is not ready to return to practice this week as he continues navigating a lingering knee injury, head coach Dan Campbell announced. Although a new NFL rule allows players on the PUP list to practice, Joseph's return timeline remains uncertain while the team focuses on safely building sufficient strength around his knee before clearing him for football activity.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch will remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will not return to practice this week, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Recovering from a torn Achilles sustained late last season, Branch is not eligible to play until the Lions' Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, though Campbell noted he is progressing closer to a return than teammate Kerby Joseph.
Rookie interior offensive lineman Jager Burton stepped in at left guard for the Green Bay Packers after injuries sidelined Aaron Banks and Donovan Jennings. While facing tough matchups against players like T'Vondre Sweat, Burton showed solid pass protection and held his own as an NFL player in relief duty, making a strong case to earn a permanent starting role on the injury-battered offensive line.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson played all 58 offensive snaps, leading his team through a frustrating 24-17 home loss to the New Orleans Saints. Jackson and the Ravens offense face major questions moving forward after failing to protect a lead, with Derrick Henry restricted to just five carries in the second half and the team dropping to a 1-1 record on the season.
With starting quarterback Caleb Williams listed as week-to-week due to a right hamstring injury, backup Tyson Bagent is in line to start for the Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. While Bagent is not considered a viable QB1 fantasy option against Philadelphia, he has past starting experience and nearly engineered a game-winning touchdown drive in relief duty.
DeVonta Smith unsurprisingly led Philadelphia receiving in Sunday's win over the Titans, racking up 10 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown while earning high PFF grades for Week 2. That standout performance included four receptions on the game-winning scoring drive, anchoring an Eagles passing attack where Dontayvion Wicks added a 5-74 receiving line and Darius Cooper hauled in the game-winning touchdown among two receptions for 26 yards.
Following injuries to J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, rookie running back Jonah Coleman stepped up in a 20-3 win over the Jaguars, racking up 58 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 13 touches. Highly praised by Sean Payton throughout the preseason and praised for his high football IQ and smart late-game clock management, Coleman has quickly become the top waiver wire target for fantasy managers as a high-priced priority addition.
Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson snagged a pair of scoring passes in Sunday's win over the Commanders, catching four balls for 43 yards total. He ranked fourth on the team in catches, second in yards, and tied for fourth in targets with four. However, that productive scoring output masked a playing-time issue that figures to challenge his fantasy outlook moving forward.
Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was once again iced out of the Baltimore Ravens' defensive game plan during their 24-17 home loss to the New Orleans Saints, seeing just one snap on defense. The Ravens appear to be opting for three-safety looks and giving their young slot cornerbacks, like rookie Chandler Rivers, reps over Awuzie as they adjust their secondary rotation.
Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley was protected by his starting offensive line for most of the 24-17 defeat against the New Orleans Saints, except for the final 13 snaps. Stanley was forced to exit the game early due to a toe injury and was replaced by Carson Vinson, marking the only injury casualty for the Ravens' offense during the disappointing home loss.
With Saquon Barkley sidelined by a left shoulder stinger on the first play, Tank Bigsby led the Philadelphia rushing attack with 33 yards on 13 attempts and the team's lone rushing score in a win over the Titans. Bigsby also caught both of his targets for 5 yards. As Barkley undergoes evaluation with an early-week MRI, Bigsby shapes up as a vital waiver wire target and potential lead back if Barkley misses upcoming action.
