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Pats retire Tom Brady's number, announce statue plans

Thu Jun 13 1:21am ET
Field Level Media

The New England Patriots, while inducting Tom Brady into their Hall of Fame on Wednesday, delivered a few surprises for the legendary quarterback.

Team owner Robert Kraft revealed that the Patriots are retiring Brady's uniform No. 12 and are commissioning a 12-foot-tall bronze Brady statue that will be installed during the 2024 season.

"(The statue) will stand alone in the plaza outside of the Hall of Fame to symbolize his position, not as the greatest in franchise history, but as the greatest in all of NFL history," Kraft said.

The ceremony drew a crowd of 60,000 to the Patriots' home stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The three-hour festivities included appearances by scores of Brady's former teammates and ex-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. It was the first time Belichick returned to Foxborough since he resigned at the end of last season.

Brady gave thanks to all, saying, "I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot."

He added of Belichick, "It wasn't me. It wasn't you. It was us. ... Let me make this crystal clear: There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick."

Brady, playing under Belichick, spent 20 years with the Patriots, leading the team to six Super Bowl championships. He later added another title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Belichick, greeted with huge cheers from Patriots fans, said to Brady, "Thank you for all that you've done for us. Thank you for all you've done for me. And thank you for the example and motto you've been for all of us on a daily basis for 20 years. Congratulations."

One of Brady's top rivals, Peyton Manning, also attended, chatting with Brady alongside ceremony host Mike Tirico.

Manning said, "You knew when you were playing against a Tom Brady team, you better be at your best, cause if you weren't, Tom Brady was going to beat you every time."

Brady added, "I think that I could never have been the type of player that I was without having someone like Peyton that I had to aspire to be like. And I looked at him as the gold standard for quarterback play, and I still do. There's nobody like Peyton Manning out there right now."

Brady, 46, was a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player who holds the league records for completions (7,753), pass attempts (12,050), passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649).

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Jaylen Warren Sep 25 9:40pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) was a non-participant in the team's first practice of the week. It's not exactly a surprise after head coach Mike Tomlin reported Tuesday that he's "unsure" whether Warren would suit up for their Week 4 matchup. The news comes after the 25-year-old was scheduled for an MRI on his ailing knee on Monday. Presumably, he picked up the injury during Pittsburgh's 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. However, exactly when it occurred is unknown. Tomlin is the one who pulled the former undrafted free agent from the contest and remarked on him during his post-game presser, stating, "It didn't look like he was running smoothly." The Oklahoma State product has been vastly out-touched by his counterpart Najee Harris thus far, and the latter should expect an increased workload this Sunday when the team heads to Indianapolis with Cordarrelle Patterson to mix in as the primary change-of-pace back.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Sep 25 9:33pm CT
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Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has completed 11 of his 22 passes when under pressure this season, and his passer rating drops from 116.1 to 43.1 with three interceptions.

Fantasy Spin: He is working his way back from an Achilles injury, and decreased mobility in the pocket could certainly be a side effect. Cousins may improve as the season goes on, but for now, he should be viewed as a QB2.

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Andy Dalton Sep 25 9:20pm CT
Andy Dalton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (ankle) appeared on the team's injury report Wednesday but was a full participant in practice. It's unclear when the 36-year-old sustained the injury, but Panthers fans can breathe a sigh of relief as it does not appear to be serious. The long-time Bengal lit it up in his first regular-season action since Week 3 of 2023, becoming the first signal-caller this season to rack up 300 yards (319) and toss three touchdowns in a single outing. It was a vintage performance from the Red Rifle, leading Carolina to its first victory of 2024 and first win since Week 15 of last season. The Panthers will host the 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, and Dalton has worked his way into streaming consideration ahead of this matchup after his dominant performance. The "revenge game" narrative only makes this contest more exciting. He'll be a QB2 with upside.

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Nick Bellore Sep 25 9:03pm CT
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Washington Commanders FB Nick Bellore's one-year deal is worth $1.21 million.

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Dameon Pierce Sep 25 9:00pm CT
Dameon Pierce

Despite missing his fifth-straight practice, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return to action in Week 4. It's excellent news for the team as first-string back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still considered week-to-week after missing Houston's Week 3 matchup -- a 34-7 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. In that contest, running back Cam Akers led the team with a paltry 21 yards on nine carries. With the Texans mincing words, fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on the 24-year-old's status heading into Houston's home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Pierce can play, he'll be in store for a sizable workload against a Jaguars squad that just got torched by the Buffalo Bills, allowing 47 points on Monday Night Football.

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Tank Dell Sep 25 8:50pm CT
Tank Dell

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (ribs, hand, wrist) is not expected to be available for the team's Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The second-year wideout suffered two injuries late in Houston's 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not return to the lopsided affair. Dell missed practice Wednesday and is listed as having a chest injury. It's worth noting that while he's been dubbed as unlikely to play, head coach DeMeco Ryans regards him as day-to-day and said, "We'll see how he continues to progress." It's a tough development for the 24-year-old as he's coming off his most productive game of the season, where he caught 5-of-6 targets for 62 yards. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status closely ahead of the Week 4 home tilt. Expect wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs to be in line for more work, with Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, Steven Sims, and John Metchie III to mix in for supplemental snaps.

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Adam Thielen Sep 25 8:30pm CT
Adam Thielen

When asked about the status of wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring), Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales stated he would not need surgery. It's good news for the veteran wideout, who was placed on the team's injured reserve Tuesday due to a hamstring injury he picked up in Carolina's first win of the season. Before his exit in the second quarter, Thielen had modest production, reeling in 3-of-5 targets for 40 yards and a score. The touchdown -- a 31-yard reception -- is the play in which he injured himself. He'll now miss at least the team's next four matchups. Soft-tissue issues -- particularly hamstrings -- can linger, so it's best to exhibit caution when slotting him back into your lineup upon his return. In his stead, wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo project to pick up some extra work. Carolina will look to get in the win column again when they host the visiting Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Sep 25 8:20pm CT
Sam Darnold

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (knee) participated fully in Wednesday's team practice. Darnold sustained a minor knee injury and missed just one play in the team's convincing 34-7 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Concerns arose when it was reported he was scheduled for an MRI on his injured knee, but imaging came back clean, and he'll be a full-go for the team's Week 4 road tilt against the Green Bay Packers. The 27-year-old currently garners the thirteenth-most passing yards in the NFL, though he leads the league in touchdown passes -- tossing eight through the team's first three contests. It's been an excellent start to the season for the former third-overall pick. He and the Vikings have been one of the more pleasant surprises thus far in 2024, and he has quickly thrust himself into weekly lineup consideration.

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Tank Bigsby Sep 25 8:00pm CT
Tank Bigsby

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (shoulder) was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Bigsby was also dealing with a shoulder injury last week but managed to suit up in Monday night's blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. In that contest, the 23-year-old really didn't have much of a shot to contribute with the Jaguars forced to quickly abandon the running game. He finished with only two carries for nine yards and has 14 rushing attempts for 82 yards (5.9 yards per carry) in three games so far in 2024. Bigsby has not been targeted at all in the passing game. Bigsby should be fine to play in Week 4 against the division-rival Houston Texans as the Jags go for their first win of the year. Jacksonville wants to get Bigsby more work alongside Travis Etienne Jr., but so far their offense just hasn't cooperated.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Sep 25 7:40pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) missed the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Engram injured his hamstring during pre-game warmups in the Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns and also missed the Monday night beatdown at the hands of the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. He is going to need to get back on the practice field in some fashion over the next couple of days to at least give himself a chance to suit up this Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans as the Jags seek their first win of the season. With Engram out the last two games, Brenton Strange has caught five of his 11 targets for 77 yards and one touchdown, putting him on the map as a TE2 streamer for fantasy managers if Engram misses a third straight game in Week 4. Engram caught just one pass for five yards in Week 1, so he's been a disappointment so far in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Gabriel Davis Sep 25 7:40pm CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Davis is dealing with what seems to be a minor shoulder injury after he played 76% of the offensive snaps in the team's Week 3 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Unless he has a setback with his shoulder in practice later this week, he should be active for the Week 4 tilt against the division-rival Houston Texans. The 25-year-old former fourth-round pick by the Bills in 2020 out of Central Florida has been inefficient so far through three games in his first year in Jacksonville. Davis has caught just half of his 16 targets for 123 yards and currently carries a career-low 15.4 yards per catch in what has been a Jaguars offense that just hasn't figure it out yet. He caught two of six targets for a season-low 18 yards on Monday night.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Sep 25 7:30pm CT
Nick Chubb

When asked if Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) will be designated to return to practice from Injured Reserve next week, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see when we get to next week. He's doing well." Chubb opened the year on IR after needing two surgeries to fix a torn ACL and MCL in his knee after a gruesome injury early in 2023. It's anyone's guess as to when the 28-year-old will be able to return this year. It would be nice to see Chubb back at practice next week, but it wouldn't guarantee his return in Week 5 versus the Washington Commanders. When Chubb is finally ready to make his 2024 debut, it's likely that the Browns will ease him in alongside Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler heading into last year, has a career 5.3 yard-per-carry average and deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

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Ja'Whaun Bentley Sep 25 7:23pm CT
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New England Patriots LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (pectoral) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Sept. 25.

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Amari Cooper Sep 25 7:20pm CT
Amari Cooper

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper wasn't included on the team's first injury report of the week after practicing in full on Wednesday. Cooper appeared to injure his hip on the final play of the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants but appears fine heading into a Week 4 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. The 30-year-old veteran needs to be locked into all starting fantasy lineups this week against a Raiders defense that was just picked apart by Carolina Panthers veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Cooper had only five catches for 27 yards in the first two weeks of 2024 before breaking out for seven receptions (12 targets) for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the G-Men. Despite the Browns offense looking lackluster so far, there's no question that Cooper remains quarterback Deshaun Watson's top target.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Sep 25 7:13pm CT
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Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 25. TE Davis Allen (back) was limited during practice, while OG Logan Bruss (finger) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Chris Godwin Sep 25 7:10pm CT
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans (knee) and Chris Godwin (neck) are both on the Week 4 injury report after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Although it's a good sign that both players actually practiced, this is a situation to watch in Tampa with both of their top receivers on the injury report heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. In what could be a high-scoring contest on Sunday in Tampa, both Evans and Godwin should be in starting fantasy lineups as long as they're active. But if one or both of Evans and Godwin are out or limited on Sunday, it will raise the ceiling for rookie pass-catcher Jalen McMillan and tight end Cade Otton. Fantasy managers should check back the next two days to see if Evans and Godwin can get back to a full practice to get cleared for Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Javon Hargrave Sep 25 7:03pm CT
Javon Hargrave

San Francisco 49ers DT Javon Hargrave (triceps), OT Trent Williams (illness) and LB Dee Winters (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 25.

From TheHuddle

Luke Musgrave Sep 25 7:00pm CT
Luke Musgrave

Green Bay Packers tight ends Tucker Kraft (shoulder) and Luke Musgrave (quadriceps) were both limited on Wednesday for the first practice of the week. Kraft played through a shoulder injury in the Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans and saw 67% of the offensive snaps on his way to two catches for 24 yards. The 23-year-old has been the team's primary TE so far through three weeks, but it's amounted to just six receptions on eight targets for 77 scoreless yards. Musgrave played a season-high 56% of the offensive snaps in Week 3 but caught his only target for a three-yard gain. Through the first three weeks, he has only two catches for nine yards to put himself well off the fantasy radar. All of Green Bay's offensive weapons become more interesting if quarterback Jordan Love (knee) can return in Week 4, although Kraft and Musgrave still won't be realistic starting options at their position.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Sep 25 6:50pm CT
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf, quadriceps) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday with calf and quadriceps injuries. Reed has been playing through a calf injury since Week 2, but the quad injury is new this week. Unless Reed suffers a setback later this week with one of his two injuries, he should be able to suit up and play this Sunday in a big divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. None of Green Bay's pass-catchers have been all that attractive in starting fantasy lineups the last two games with quarterback Jordan Love (knee) sidelined and backup Malik Willis running the offense. In two games with Willis at QB, Reed has six receptions for 59 yards and four carries for 56 yards. In the season opener with Love active, Reed scored both on the ground and through the air.

From RotoBaller

Hayden Hurst Sep 25 6:43pm CT
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Los Angeles Chargers OT Joe Alt (knee), LB Joey Bosa (hip), LB Junior Colson (hamstring), DT Otito Ogbonnia (neck), OT Trey Pipkins (foot) and OT Rashawn Slater (pectoral) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 25. WR Derius Davis (hamstring), CB Kristian Fulton (knee), TE Hayden Hurst (Achilles), LB Khalil Mack (non-injury) and CB Ja'Sir Taylor (leg) were limited during practice.

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