Fantasy News

Trayveon Williams (foot) will miss the rest of the preseason.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says the team might be able to get Williams back for Week 2 of the regular season. This is tough luck for the rookie sixth-round pick, but it sounds like he might make Cincinnati’s 53-man roster top open the year.

8/18/19 - 12:56 PM ET

The 49ers have signed Nick Williams to a one-year deal.

Linebacker Malcolm Smith was released in a corresponding move. Williams isn’t expected to be a fantasy factor if he makes the 53-man roster, but he can potentially fill in for Trent Taylor as he recovers from a broken foot.

8/27/19 - 04:06 PM ET

The Raiders released Doug Martin, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

This is a bit of a surprise, as the former All-Pro was a great veteran presence in the locker room for first-round rookie Josh Jacobs. Perhaps this move was made at Martin’s request, as he wasn’t expected to get a ton of playing time behind Jacobs. Keep an eye on Martin as a potential early-down option for the Texans—he’s worth taking a chance on with a late-round fantasy draft pick if you’re drafting today.

Via: Tom Pelissero 8/25/19 - 12:02 PM ET

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t think Keke Coutee will be ready for Week 1.

O’Brien says he’s “not hopeful” about the second-year receiver being ready to go for the season opener against the Saints. Houston plays on Monday night in Week 1, so fantasy owners really can’t rely on having Coutee in lineups unless he shows major progress in the next ten days. DeAndre Carter will likely be the next man up in the slot for the Texans, and he could provide some fantasy value in PPR leagues in particular while Coutee is out.

8/27/19 - 03:19 PM ET

James Washington lost 12-15 pounds in the offseason.

On the television broadcast for Pittsburgh’s preseason game against Kansas City, Steelers reporter Missi Matthews says that Washington lost 12-15 pounds from last year by working on his dad’s farm during the offseason. Washington is basically built like a running back, but he does look slimmer this year, and losing the weight should help him feel better and move better. He’s having another really nice game tonight so far, following up last week’s outstanding performance. Veteran Donte Moncrief is currently starting at receiver for the Steelers and did tonight alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Washington looks to have the confidence—and has the talent—to be a major factor for his team’s passing attack in 2019.

8/17/19 - 09:17 PM ET

DeSean Jackson suffered a broken finger, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport says the injury was to Jackson’s left ring finger, he’s not expected to miss any time, and that “the team is not concerned.” Jackson probably isn’t going to be as comfortable as normal, but this doesn’t sound like it’ll keep him out for Week 1 against the Redskins. We’ll see if he’s listed on the injury report next week.

Via: Ian Rapoport 8/27/19 - 03:10 PM ET

Andrew Luck is retiring from the NFL, according to ESPN.

This is up there with the most stunning news in the history of sports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says he informed the Colts that he is retiring and that there will be a press conference tomorrow to make it official, adding that “Luck is mentally worn down, and now checking out.” Luck will turn just 30 years old this September, and he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history with an all-around skillset that made him a generational prospect and the No. 1 pick out of Stanford in the 2012 draft. It’s difficult to believe Luck is actually done for good, but the injuries have taken a toll on him these last four years. Luck’s entire 2017 season was eliminated by shoulder issues that were a culmination of years of injuries, and now he’s dealing with a mysterious calf/ankle issue that might have been an issue between he and the organization—perhaps if he can get back to 100% while retired, he’ll eventually come out of retirement. If Luck is indeed done with the NFL, his career ends with 23,671 passing yards, 171 passing touchdowns, and 83 interceptions along with 332 carries for 1,590 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. If you throw out the 2017 season in which he did not play a snap, Luck’s 171 passing scores are the second most in NFL history for a player’s first six NFL seasons (behind Dan Marino), and he was on the Hall of Fame track before this sudden retirement. This is probably the most stunning retirement in sports history aside from Michael Jordan retiring from the Bulls (and eventually returning) in 1993. From a fantasy perspective, Jacoby Brissett is a capable option that played 16 games for the Colts in 2017, but no Luck is an obvious downgrade for all the skill position players in Indy’s offense—and this is a massive blow to the Colts in real life.

Via: Adam Schefter 8/24/19 - 09:29 PM ET