Player Notes

  • Keim: Commanders want to rely on strong run game
    ESPN’s John Keim reports the Commanders “want to rely on a strong defense and run game to reduce the burden” on Jayden Daniels.

    Advice: The team has not yet committed to Daniels — the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — as their Week 1 starter, though it would be a massive upset if Marcus Mariota got the opening day call for Washington. Keim expects Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury to lean heavily on the rushing attack, which will be led by Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson. Ekeler is most likely to be the primary pass-catching back while Robinson functions as the team’s early-down back. A lack of passing volume could be an issue for Washington’s pass catchers. Terry McLaurin could still see a solid target share, however, as offenses that use lots of run-pass option plays tend to target their WR1 heavily. Rotoworld Today, 10:00 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    103rd
  • Looking good for RB2 job
    Gray is in good position to handle a bigger role in his second NFL season, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

    Advice: New lead back Devin Singletary is unlikely to dominate backfield snaps the way Saquon Barkley did last season, leaving more work on the table for Gray and other backups. A 2023 fifth-round pick, Gray played in 13 games as a rookie, taking 23 touches for 70 yards on 65 snaps. Competition for backup roles behind Singletary doesn't appear especially fierce in New York, with Gray joined by fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy, veteran journeyman Deon Jackson, fourth-year pro Gary Brightwell and a couple of young UDFAs (Jashaun Corbin, Dante Miller). Rotowire.com Today, 7:48 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    2136th
  • Expected to contribute this year
    GM Nick Caserio said Tuesday that he expects Pierce to be "a big part" of the Houston offense this upcoming season, Tyler Milner of Sports Radio 610 reports.

    Advice: The 2022 fourth-round pick ran for 939 yards in 13 games his rookie season but then managed just 416 yards in 14 games last year. Pierce nosedived from 4.3 YPC to 2.9, losing his starting job to Devin Singletary in the process. Singletary is with the Giants now, but Pierce nonetheless appear destined for a backup role after the Texans traded for Joe Mixon and gave him an extension. The team then waited until the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft to select a running back, taking a player (Louisville's Jawhar Jordan) who six months older than Pierce and might only be used as a kick return specialist. In other words, Pierce has a nice opportunity to keep the second spot on the depth chart despite his subpar performance last season, though Dare Ogunbowale remains a threat to get playing time in obvious pass situations. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:11 pm
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    198th
  • Pittsburgh declines 2025 option
    The Steelers declined their 2025 option on Harris' contract, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

    Advice: This comes as somewhat of a surprise after Harris has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since being selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Most impressively, Harris has never missed a game at a position that sees so many injuries. He's been a model of toughness and durability, even if the stats haven't particularly jumped off the page with a career 3.9 yards-per-carry average. Harris, however, did rush for a career-best eight touchdowns last season, averaging a three year-best 4.1 yards per carry. Harris is now tentatively schedule to hit free agency next March, though Adam Schefter of ESPN notes that the Steelers aren't ruling out reaching a deal with the 26-year-old running back before then. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:01 pm
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    69th
  • Berry: Chubb (knee) ‘progressing nicely’
    Browns GM Andrew Berry said Nick Chubb (knee) is “progressing nicely” in his recovery from his knee injury.

    Advice: Berry also noted that Chubb “still has a long way to go.” Chubb continues to work his way back from a brutal knee injury he suffered in Week 2 against the Steelers. The Browns didn’t address running back in the draft but did add veterans D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines earlier this offseason. Reports on Chubb have often been good, with the last coming a few weeks ago when the team announced he had resumed running. Whether or not Chubb is ready for training camp is to be determined, but all signs continue to point in the right direction. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:18 am
    Nick ChubbCle - RB
    Bye
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    87th

NFL Roster Changes

Date
Player
Change
May 2
Activated
May 2
Activated
May 1
Deactivated
May 1
Deactivated
May 1
Zay JonesJax - WR
Bye
Deactivated
Apr 30
Deactivated
Apr 30
Kaden DavisAri - WR
Bye
Deactivated
Apr 29
Deactivated
Apr 29
Bye
Deactivated
Apr 29
Deactivated

Injury Reports

PlayerInjuryStatusView Team Depth Chart
Jimmy Garoppolo LAR - QBSuspensionSUSPLAR
Aaron Rodgers NYJ - QBAchillesQNYJ
Ashton Dulin Ind - WRKnee - ACLQInd
Darius Slayton NYG - WRThumbQNYG
Dorian Thompson-Robinson Cle - QBHipQCle
Kalif Raymond Det - WRKneeQDet
Dwayne Washington Den - RBIllnessQDen
Josh Whyle Ten - TEKneeQTen
Will Mallory Ind - TEHamstringQInd
Nate Sudfeld Det - QBKnee - ACLQDet