Fantasy News

DeVante Parker’s injury is a broken right middle finger, according to multiple reports.

Parker is week-to-week, but the team expects him back for the opener on September 9 against the Titans. It would be a major surprise if Parker plays anymore this preseason, and the opener is no lock; even if Parker is ready for the opener, there’s a chance he needs some time to get acclimated with the offense again after missing time. The good news is Parker can still run and stay in shape while he waits for his broken finger to heal. The talented fourth-year receiver’s ADP is probably going to take a big drop in the coming weeks, so he could deliver some value late in fantasy drafts.

8/14/18 - 11:27 AM ET

DeVante Parker is week-to-week with a hand injury, head coach Adam Gase has announced.

Gase said of Parker, “Right now, he wouldn’t be able to catch the ball,” which could mean the start of the season is in jeopardy. The former first-round pick has failed to separate himself in camp, so this is the last thing he needed in what could be a make-or-break year for him in Miami. In the mean time, free-agent signing Albert Wilson—who doesn’t have a defined role to this point—will perhaps have an opportunity to earn more playing time for the regular season alongside Kenny Stills and Danny Amendola. Suddenly, Parker is falling out of the mid-round conversation and might be just a late-round upside pick. This news is also a slight blow to Ryan Tannehill, and Mike Gesicki could become a bigger factor in the red zone. Hopefully Parker is ready for the season opener.

8/14/18 - 11:05 AM ET

Dolphins offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said the team drafted Mike Gesicki “to come catch touchdowns in the red area.”

For those unaware, the red area means the red zone. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald says the while Gesicki is buried on the depth chart, the team “loves” him and he should be considered the starter. Loggains said yesterday that Gesicki was going to a blocking drill while a passing drill was going on, and he said they sent him to the passing drill basically because they brought him in to be a weapon in the passing game. Miami is going to have Gesicki work on improving his blocking, but it appears they already have a plan for him as a passing-game weapon regardless of his strides as a blocker. Gesicki, a physical freak with exceptional ball skills that we thought should have been drafted in the first round, offers TE1 upside as a rookie.

Via: Miami Herald 8/14/18 - 10:36 AM ET

The Colts are happy with running back Jordan Wilkins.

Wilkins didn’t appear in the team’s opening preseason game until the fourth quarter, but he had an first-down to help clinch the game late, which impressed head coach Frank Reich and running backs coach Tom Rathman. Colts offensive coordinator Tom Sirianni called Wilkins “just a good football player,” which he noted is “one of the best compliments I think you can ever give as a coach.” With Marlon Mack (hamstring) week-to-week, Wilkins could get more first-team reps moving forward; if the rookie takes advantage of them, he could have a big role to start the season. Wilkins is a player to watch in the final two or three preseason games.

Via: Colts.com 8/14/18 - 08:56 AM ET

MarQueis Gray is in concussion protocol.

Gray is now unlikely to play in Friday’s preseason game versus Carolina. Gray is not on the fantasy radar, but he is a solid real-life contributor for the Dolphins. Hopefully this won’t impact his chances of making the final roster in Miami.

Via: Armando Salguero 8/14/18 - 08:51 AM ET

Kalen Ballage is in the concussion protocol.

Ballage likely suffered the concussion in practice, and now he’s unlikely to suit up for Friday’s preseason game versus the Panthers. This is a tough break for the rookie, as it probably puts a dent in his chances of carving out a sizable role to start the season. Hopefully he’s feeling better soon.

Via: Armando Salguero 8/14/18 - 08:48 AM ET

Panthers cornerback James Bradberry thinks Curtis Samuel has “taken a leap” this year.

It’s interesting to hear players talk about their teammates, as they practice together every day and would notice things others probably would not. Bradberry says Samuel was “really attacking the ball” in training camp, and Max Henson of Panthers.com calls Samuel’s performance “extremely encouraging.” After dealing with injuries as a rookie, Samuel could become an impact player in 2018 if he remains healthy. He’s looking like a good bet for a starting role as a top-three receiver for the Panthers.

Via: Panthers.com 8/14/18 - 08:40 AM ET