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LaJohntay Wester: Prepping for role in slot
Friday, September 18, 2026 5:09 PM
Wester is preparing for a larger role in the likely absence of Zay Flowers, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans due to a hamstring injury, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.
Wester caught 252 passes during his college career at Florida Atlantic, but he's largely been a return specialist since the Ravens took him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He should get some of the slot snaps in 11 personnel, which is where Flowers was dominating during last week's win over the Colts before a hamstring injury forced him to the sideline late in the second quarter. After finishing his rookie season with zero targets on 58 offensive snaps, Wester played 20 snaps last week and caught both of his targets for 15 yards.
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Kaelon Black: Questionable for Sunday
Friday, September 18, 2026 5:05 PM
Black (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Black made a surprise appearance on Thursday's practice report as limited due to a groin issue, and he wasn't able to do enough Friday to enter the weekend without a designation for Week 2 action. His status may not be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Black is inhibited or sidelined, Jordan James would be the primary reserve RB behind starter Christian McCaffrey.
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Rashod Bateman: Looks like de facto No. 1 receiver
Friday, September 18, 2026 5:03 PM
With teammate Zay Flowers (hamstring) listed as doubtful, Bateman has a big opportunity Sunday against the Saints, ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reports.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson told reporters that Bateman, "is actually going to get a lot more targets, I believe." The Ravens may not have any other choice after losing Flowers and Ja'Kobi Lane (IR - wrist) to injuries during a Week 1 win over Indianapolis. Bateman played 80 percent of Baltimore's snaps in the contest, including 85 percent before halftime when Flowers and Lane were still in the game. He'll likely handle another lofty snap share this Wednesday, and his target rate may rise with Flowers' usual snaps/routes being split between lesser players like Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester and Chris Moore.
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Zach Charbonnet: Closing in on return to practice
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:50 PM
Coach Mike Macdonald said Friday that the Seahawks are drawing closer to setting a date for Charbonnet (knee) to resume practicing, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Because Charbonnet resides on the reserve/PUP list, he won't be eligible to practice until at least Week 5 prep, which would still be about a week and a half shy of being nine months removed from the torn left ACL he suffered Jan. 17. Once Seattle decides to open his practice window, he then will have three weeks to prove his health before either being activated or otherwise shut down for the rest of the season. As a result, he likely won't practice when he's first eligible to do so, but Macdonald's comments at least are an encouraging sign that Charbonnet is expected to return at some point in the regular season. Rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price, George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will continue to hold down the fort at running back for the Seahawks for as long as Charbonnet is sidelined.
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Ladd McConkey: Listed as questionable to face Raiders
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:31 PM
McConkey (rib) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders, ESPN's Kris Rhim reports.
McConkey missed the fourth quarter of last week's game and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but a return to practice Friday gives him a shot to play this Sunday. If it comes down to a game-time decision, fantasy managers should have an alternative ready from the late-afternoon games or primetime contests (the Chargers are scheduled for a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff). Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris will both get plenty of snaps at wide receiver if McConkey ends up on the inactive list.
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Samaje Perine: Cleared to play Sunday
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:20 PM
Perine (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Houston.
Perine missed practice Thursday and Friday, but he's apparently made enough progress with his illness to convince the team that he'll be fine to play. He took five carries for 20 yards and three catches for 30 yards in a 33-27 win over Tampa Bay in Week 1.
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Joe Burrow: Good to go for Sunday
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:15 PM
Burrow (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Houston, but Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Friday that the quarterback is good to go, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Burrow's return to full participation Friday should answer any remaining doubts, following limited practices earlier in the week. He'll be on the road against a tough Houston defense, but the Bengals at least appear in good shape from a health standpoint with Burrow being the lone starter that has an injury designation. The Bengals and Texans are scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.
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Nico Collins: Ruled out for Week 2
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:11 PM
Collins (hamstring) will not play Sunday against the Bengals.
Collins injured his hamstring during Wednesday's practice and wasn't able to return Thursday or Friday. With his absence confirmed, the Texans have Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Jared Wayne as their healthy options at wide receiver. Collins typically accounts for more than one-fourth of Houston's targets, so his absence could also push some volume toward the team's RBs and TEs.
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Jalen McMillan: Status in question for Week 2
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:08 PM
McMillan (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Despite being listed as a full participant on all three Week 2 injury reports, McMillan isn't in the clear to make his season debut, which ultimately may not known until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. He's been dealing with a knee issue since early August, but if he's active this weekend, he'd join Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson as the WR options behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin.
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Alec Pierce: Will play Sunday night
Friday, September 18, 2026 4:01 PM
Pierce (heel) was a full participant in Friday's practice and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game at Kansas City.
After sitting out Thursday's session, Pierce returned to full work Friday and appears set to handle his usual role for Indianapolis. Colts coach Shane Steichen said Pierce's off day was for maintenance, suggesting the team was never worried about an absence. Pierce played 88 percent of snaps after halftime in the Week 1 loss to Baltimore, so he may have a full-time role despite being banged up already.
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