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Sam Darnold: Could practice this week
Sunday, September 20, 2026 9:30 AM
Darnold (glute), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Arizona, is "recovering faster than anyone had anticipated" and has a "pretty good chance" of practicing at some point during Week 3, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Drew Lock will get the starting nod for Seattle in Week 2 while Darnold tends to the right glute injury he sustained in the Sept. 9 season-opening win over the Patriots, but Darnold looks like he'll be back under center for the Seahawks sooner rather than later. Rapoport relays that it might be "a little bit of a stretch" for Darnold to play Week 3 against the Commanders, but the 29-year-old's outlook could change depending on how extensively he's able to practice leading up to that contest. At this time, the Seahawks' Week 4 matchup with the Chargers appears to be a likelier target for Darnold's return to the lineup.
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Brock Bowers: Trending toward Week 3 return
Sunday, September 20, 2026 9:24 AM
Bowers (knee), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chargers, is expected to sit out Week 2 but appears likely to make his season debut Week 3 in New Orleans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Bowers underwent a meniscus trim of his left knee Sept. 8 but appears to have bounced back well from the procedure and is progressing as expecting. The tight end was able to clear a major hurdle in the recovery process by returning to practice Friday, albeit as a limited participant. Michael Mayer is expected to operate as the Raiders' top tight end in Bowers' stead for a second straight game Sunday, but Bowers should be on track to play Week 3 so long as he can upgrade to full participation in practice by next Friday.
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Shedeur Sanders: Could get look as starter Week 3
Sunday, September 20, 2026 8:31 AM
The Browns plan to re-evaluate their quarterback situation following Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, with Sanders being next in line to start if Cleveland elects to bench starter Deshaun Watson, Ian Rapoport of ESPN reports.
After winning the battle for the starting job during the preseason, Watson will direct the offense for a second straight game to begin the regular season, but he heads into Sunday's contest with limited job security. In the Browns' 34-10 season-opening blowout loss to the Jaguars, Watson struggled to move the ball throughout the afternoon, completing 16 of 22 attempts for 205 yards and an interception while throwing his lone touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. If Watson bounces back with a strong performance against Tampa Bay, he'll likely retain the starting job heading into the Browns' home opener Week 3 versus the Panthers, but another poor showing could set up Sanders to take over as the team's top quarterback.
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Keenan Allen: Facing league suspension
Sunday, September 20, 2026 7:19 AM
Allen "is facing a minimum three-game suspension" in connection with his August arrest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Allen was formally charged with two misdemeanors last week after being arrested on DUI charges in late August, and the NFL could levy a suspension of three games or more for his actions. Per the report, "Allen is not expected to miss playing time while the case proceeds through the courts."
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Michael Penix: Could start in Week 3
Sunday, September 20, 2026 7:13 AM
Penix (knee) may start Thursday's game against the Packers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Penix was ruled out for Week 2 on Friday, so Cooper Rush will start for the Falcons for the second time in as many games. However, Penix has been practicing fully for two weeks, and if he feels confident that he is ready to play on his surgically-repaired left knee, he could take over as Atlanta's starter in Week 3.
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Jalen McMillan: Should play on snap count
Sunday, September 20, 2026 7:05 AM
McMillan (knee) is set to play Sunday against the Browns but "is not expected to have a full-time role just yet," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
McMillan was listed as questionable for Week 2 despite practicing fully all week, and although it appears he will be able to make his season debut Sunday, it seems he will not receive a full complement of snaps. Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin figure to remain the primary wideouts for the Buccaneers, with McMillan, Ted Hurst and perhaps Tez Johnson splitting the rest of the duties in some fashion.
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Kaelon Black: On track to play Sunday
Sunday, September 20, 2026 6:55 AM
Black (groin) is on track to play Sunday against the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Black popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited participant due to a groin injury, and he was given a questionable designation after getting in another limited session Friday. While there is reason to believe he will take the field Sunday, his availability will not be confirmed until the 49ers release their inactives 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Puka Nacua: Looking like game-time call
Sunday, September 20, 2026 6:50 AM
Nacua (hip) is considered by the Rams "to be a pre-game decision" for Monday's game against the Giants, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Nacua sat out practice both Friday and Saturday with what was officially listed as a hip injury and what head coach Sean McVay said was "soreness in his groin," leaving his status up in the air for Week 2. Nacua was given a questionable designation, and while it seems he will have a chance to take the field Monday night, fantasy players will want to have another option at the ready in case he is unable to give it a go.
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RJ Harvey: Unlikely to play Sunday
Sunday, September 20, 2026 6:44 AM
Harvey (hamstring) "is unlikely to play" Sunday against the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Harvey was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday after sitting out Wednesday's session, but it appears he will not be able to give it a go in Week 2. The Broncos and Jaguars will not kick off until 4:05 p.m. ET, so unfortunately for fantasy players Harvey's availability for Sunday's game will not officially be revealed until after the early wave of games gets underway.
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Chris Olave: Expected to play Sunday
Sunday, September 20, 2026 6:38 AM
Olave (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, is on track to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Olave took a designation into Sunday after closing Week 2 prep with a pair of practices due to the hamstring injury he sustained during Thursday's session. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Olave made the trip to Baltimore with his teammates, and barring a setback in pregame warmups, he'll be formally cleared to play upon the release of the Saints' inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Underhill adds that Olave isn't expected to face any limitations in terms of snaps.
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