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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Saturday, September 19

Nico Collins Expected to Miss Two Games Due to Hamstring Strain

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is expected to miss two games after being diagnosed with a low-grade hamstring strain suffered in Wednesday's practice. Collins has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals and is likely to sit out Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. In his absence, Houston will rely on Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne, and Lewis Bond.

Kayshon Boutte Looks to Expand Role Amid Nico Collins Absence

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Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, acquired by the Houston Texans from the New England Patriots in a late-August trade for safety Jaylen Reed, is positioned for an expanded role. With top wideout Nico Collins expected to miss two games due to a hamstring strain, Boutte joins a group featuring Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne, and Lewis Bond to help fill the void in Houston's offense.

Rashod Bateman Steps Up as Primary Target With Zay Flowers Sidelined

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Rashod Bateman is positioned to lead the Baltimore Ravens receiving corps as the primary outside threat in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. With star wideout Zay Flowers ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Ja'Kobi Lane on injured reserve, Bateman will shoulder an increased workload alongside Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester.

Mark Andrews Emerges as Top Target Option for Ravens in Week 2

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Tight end Mark Andrews stands out as a strong target option for the Baltimore Ravens in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. With wide receiver Zay Flowers sidelined by a hamstring injury and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane on injured reserve, the Ravens' passing game is heavily depleted, making Andrews a reliable starter and focal point for the offense.

LaJohntay Wester Projected for Slot Role Amid Ravens Injuries

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LaJohntay Wester is expected to handle slot receiver duties for the Baltimore Ravens in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. With Zay Flowers ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Ja'Kobi Lane on injured reserve, the Ravens' receiving corps is exceptionally thin, opening opportunities for Wester alongside primary outside options Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker.

Devontez Walker Expected to Lead Ravens Receiving Corps in Week 2

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Devontez Walker is projected to step into a primary outside wide receiver role for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. With star wideout Zay Flowers sidelined due to a hamstring injury and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane on injured reserve, Walker joins Rashod Bateman and slot receiver LaJohntay Wester as key targets in a depleted Ravens passing attack.

Ja'Kobi Lane Remains on IR as Ravens Receive Corps Thins Out

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Rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane remains on injured reserve with a wrist injury as the Baltimore Ravens face depth challenges at the position. With starting wide receiver Zay Flowers ruled out for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints due to a hamstring injury, the Ravens will lean on Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and LaJohntay Wester to carry the receiving load.

Zay Flowers Downgraded to Out for Sunday's Game Against Saints

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has been officially downgraded from doubtful to out for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints due to a hamstring injury. Despite returning to a limited practice on Friday, he misses his first contest after exiting last week's win over Indianapolis with five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and LaJohntay Wester will lead the receiving corps.

Puka Nacua Questionable for Monday Night Football with Hip and Groin Soreness

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the New York Giants after missing consecutive practices due to hip and groin soreness. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed the issue is separate from his training camp psoas injury and noted Nacua could not reach full speed. Nacua caught 5 passes for 74 yards in Week 1, and the team is exercising caution.

Kaelon Black Highlighted as Top Touchdown Best Bet for Week 2

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San Francisco 49ers player Kaelon Black has been highlighted as one of the favorite betting picks to capitalize on his matchup and find the end zone during Sunday's NFL slate of games, offering high-impact upside for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

Joe Giles-Harris Elevated from Practice Squad for Week 2 Game

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The Cincinnati Bengals announced the standard elevation of linebacker Joe Giles-Harris from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. As a standard practice squad elevation, Giles-Harris will automatically revert to the practice squad on Monday following the conclusion of Sunday's game.

Josh Johnson Elevated to Active Roster as Bengals Quarterback Depth

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The Cincinnati Bengals elevated veteran quarterback Josh Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster as a standard elevation ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. With starting quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with back tightness, Johnson provides experienced depth alongside Joe Flacco. He is set to automatically revert to the practice squad on Monday following the game.

Joe Burrow Expected to Start Against Texans Despite Back Soreness

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to start against the Houston Texans despite dealing with back tightness and soreness that limited him earlier in the week. Head coach Zac Taylor expressed full confidence in him after a full practice on Friday. As a precaution, the Bengals elevated veteran Josh Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster as depth behind Burrow and Joe Flacco.

George Pickens Eyeing Bounce-Back Week 2 Performance Against Commanders

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens aims for a Week 2 breakout against the Washington Commanders following a quiet season opener where Dallas wideouts combined for just 94 yards. Pickens holds a notable size advantage over Washington's secondary and is slated to capitalize on a favorable matchup against cornerback Mike Sainristil. Analysts and betting previews highlight his strong end-zone potential, projecting him to surpass 70 receiving yards as Dallas establishes downfield passing.

Stefon Diggs Fined $14,926 for Goalpost Celebration Against Eagles

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs was fined $14,926 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct after jumping onto the field goal post and wrapping his legs around it following his first touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. The celebration drew a penalty that nullified a two-point conversion attempt in a tight 24-22 loss. Diggs admitted his mistake, stating he simply forgot current league celebration rules.

Jahmyr Gibbs Fined $23,027 by NFL for Helmet Infraction in Week 1

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs received a $23,027 fine from the NFL for an impermissible use of the helmet violation during his 1-yard touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints. The unpenalized collision occurred when Gibbs lowered his helmet into the chest area of cornerback Quincy Riley. The league enacted this safety rule in 2023 to curb dangerous helmet-to-helmet and forcible hits involving ball carriers.

DK Metcalf Under Pressure to Bounce Back Against New England Patriots

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf looks to bounce back in Week 2 after a rough season opener where he caught just 4 of 10 targets for 40 yards and faced crowd boos following a key drop and two penalties. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers defended Metcalf, attributing several missed connections to uncalled pass interference, and committed to keeping him heavily involved as the team visits the New England Patriots for an important early test.

Aaron Rodgers Expresses Full Confidence in DK Metcalf for Week 2

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed firm confidence in receiver DK Metcalf following a frustrating Week 1 performance against the Atlanta Falcons. Rodgers completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown while noting uncalled pass interference and drops impacted the passing game. Despite Metcalf facing fan boos, Rodgers emphasized he plans to keep targeting him heavily in their upcoming Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots.

T.J. Watt and Steelers Defense Prepare for Patriots Clash

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Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt delivered a game-winning defensive score in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and now prepares to face quarterback Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in Week 2. Alongside defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's new schemes, Watt's defensive pressure aims to flummox the Patriots offense in Foxboro. Additionally, Watt will serve as a color analyst for CBS on select broadcasts.

Drake Maye and Patriots Brace for T.J. Watt and Steelers Defense

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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye prepares to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, looking to avoid a repeat of last season's struggles when the defense forced five turnovers in a 21-14 loss. Maye will contend with first-year defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's schemes and star linebacker T.J. Watt. The defending AFC champions enter the matchup as five-point favorites seeking a strong home performance at Gillette Stadium.